Round 25
Bulldogs 22 l. Brisbane Broncos 36

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Broncos all but confine Bulldogs to wooden spoon
Mon September 1, 2008
The Bulldogs put in a much improved effort yesterday, but it wasn't enough for the Brisbane Broncos to run out comfortable 36-22 winners at ANZ Stadium yesterday.

Poor weather, a poor venue and the Bulldogs poor performances saw misely 7,685 supporters in the vast venue to farewell Bulldogs stalwarts Steve Folkes and Corey Hughes.

The Bulldogs last year adopted the controversial jersey No.18 concept, but yesterday had a very nice touch when Peter Durose received the jersey. Peter and his wife Mary for the last 25 years have housed and looked after young players coming from out of Sydney areas to play for the club. Peter has been battling health problems in the last couple of years and the batch of players they housed this year are to be their last. Both Peter and Mary will be huge losses for the Bulldogs, but will always be there in support.

It was a good start for the Bulldogs with Hughes scoring int he 7th minute crashing over from dummy half and Heka Nanai scored an intercept try in the 16th minute to put the 'home' side up 12-0.

Brisbane clicked into gear midway through the first half and tries to Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges and David Stagg put the Broncos up 18-12 at half time.

Hodges scored three minutes into the second half to push the Broncos clear by 12 points.

Nanai also crossed for his second try, but a missed goal from Hazem El Masri failed to get the Bulldogs within a converted try.

Tries to Joel Moon and a second to Thaiday pushed the Broncos to a 20-point lead. The Bulldogs showed some fight in the final stages and Jarrad Hickey crashed over near the end to reduce the margin to 14 points.

The loss by the Bulldogs sees them in last position heading into the final round and they face up to Canberra in the Nations Capital - where the Raiders are basically unbeatable no matter who they put onto the field.

It wasn't the farwell that Folkes and Hughes deserved after many years of service by Folkes and the entire Hughes family.

Folkes joined Canterbury in 1977 and played 245 first grade games for the Bulldogs including six Grand Finals. Folkes highlighted the 1980 and 1985 victories as the two that stand out in his playing achievements along with his Test debut in 1986 - made alongside fellow local junior Terry Lamb where he partnered Noel Cleal in the second row.

When it comes to great clubmen - Folkes is right up there with the best and most loyal Canterbury has ever had and even one of the best Rugby League has seen. Folkes played in and coached over 300 club games for Canterbury in extraordinary service. Folkes was also head trainer in two Grand Finals when Chris Anderson was coach and has appeared in all of Canterbury's last ten Grand Final appearances.

Hughes has been at Canterbury for the last 11 years and the Hughes legacy at Canterbury comes to an official end next week when Corey Hughes takes to the field for the last time in Canberra. Garry Hughes (Corey's father) joined Canterbury in 1971 and he was followed by his brothers Mark and Graeme. The Hughes' set a lasting legacy on the game when they alongside the three Mortimer brothers played in Canterbury's 1980 premiership triumph.

The first generation of Hughes retired in the early 1980's and Glen Hughes emerged in 1990 and made his first grade debut in 1992 with Steven Hughes debuting the following year. Corey Hughes came in 1997 and made his debut in 1998. He was halfback when the Bulldogs made the 1998 Grand Final and was interchange hooker when they took out the 2004 premiership.

However, the farewells to Folkes and Hughes and the Bulldogs being confined to last position could be over shadowed by the apperance of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Treasurer Wayne Swan in the Bulldogs Directors box in terms of future significance. Both Mr Rudd and Mr Swan could be clearly seen talking turkey with prominent Bulldogs identities.

It's been no secret that the Bulldogs deal with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) for training and administration hasn't been overly successful and it has tolled on the field. In recent weeks the Bulldogs have been forced to train at junior league venues Bill Delauney Reserve and Jim Begnell Oval due to the unavailability of any of the SOPA training and athletic venues.

The push for a return to Belmore Sports Ground has increased and training at junior league grounds is deemed as the last straw in the quest for the Bulldogs to return to their rightful home and begin their climb back to the top.

Folkes described Coffs Harbour as a 'fabricated lie' last night and the false allegations made against the Bulldogs has eaten away at them for the last four years and the Bulldogs have struggled to deal with it following the unfair dismissals of club legends Garry Hughes and Steve Mortimer - the eldest brothers of Canterbury's two most famous families and the symbols of the Family Club image.

A return to Belmore for at least training, administration, development squad and junior rep sides would be the first step in the right direction and putting the Canterbury-Bankstown back into the Bulldogs by name, culture and performance.

Sometimes a club has to hit rock bottom to begin the climb back to the top. The Bulldogs have reached the bottom and there's been some very positive developments in recent times to sugges they'll enjoy success in the near future. An important ingredient to any future success is a return to Belmore Sports Ground and that could be happening sooner than expected.


Bulldogs encourage fans to Folkes and Hughes farewells
Fri August 29, 2008
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

The Bulldogs would like to encourage all Rugby League fans to make their way to ANZ this Sunday afternoon to help us pay tribute to Bulldog's legend Steve Folkes at the final home game for 2008.

In addition we will salute outgoing local junior and 2007 Bulldogs Clubman of the Year Corey Hughes, as he also makes his last home game appearance having started his career with the Bulldogs as a teenager in the mid 1990's.

Bulldogs CEO Mr Todd Greenberg encouraged all fans to get out to the game and join in with the celebrations.

"Directly after the game our club will pay tribute to these two great Bulldogs clubman, we would like everyone to stay around and enjoy the memories they have given us over the years."

Another highlight for the afternoon will come from the opposition with Brisbane Broncos and Australian Captain Darren Lockyer making his 300th first grade appearance for his lifelong club.

KIDS UNDER 16 FREE!
All kids wearing blue and white to the game on Sunday will be able to enter for free! Get the kids out to the game dressed in blue and white to pay tribute to two Bulldogs legends.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Tickets are still available! Go to www.ticketek.com.au or call 132 849.

Fans driving to the game at ANZ Stadium on Sunday are encouraged to pre-book a car space in the P1 car parking station adjacent to the Stadium. Parking vouchers are available for purchase from Ticketek on 132 849.

Casual parking is also available at the other precinct car parks, but fans are encouraged to plan their travel in order to make it to the game on time.

If you're heading to the game on the train, travel to Lidcombe Station and change there for the Olympic Park Sprint service. Sydney Buses also service the Sydney Olympic Park precinct via Routes 401 and 525.

For traffic and transport information contact 131500 or visit the www.131500.com.au website.

News Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

Thu August 28, 2008
• Bulldogs v Broncos Match Information
  
Tue August 26, 2008
• Bulldogs unchanged in Folkes and Hughes home farewell
  
Tue August 26, 2008
• Wallace right for Dogs
  

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