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90 Years Proud: Our Story

Since 1935, the Canterbury-Bankstown Rugby League Football Club has been a staple of the unique and diverse communities in south-west Sydney. 

On April 25, 1935, Canterbury-Bankstown's life in the NSWRFL kicked off against North Sydney at North Sydney Oval, and while the result on the day and throughout the season was far from ideal, success was just around the corner for the competition's new boys. 

A big recruitment drive with a focus on country-based players in 1936, as well as the opening of Belmore Oval - our spiritual home ground - resulted in a finals finish.

Just two years later, the 'Country Bumpkins' were crowned the NSWRFL Premiers off the back of the leadership of Captain Alan Brady, 19-6, ending  the dominance of Eastern Suburbs. 

A strong contingent headlined by 'The Three Mustkateers' Roy Kirkaldy, Henry Porter and Eddie Burns, the Premiership trophy returned to Belmore in 1942, this time overcoming St George 11-9 in the Grand Final Challenge. 

Despite maintaining their fighting spirit following World War II, on-field results waned throughout the 1950s and 1960s, before the addition of legendary front rower Kevin Ryan and the brilliance of fullback Les Johns resulted in Grand Final appearance in 1967 - a 20-year first. 

Two years later came 'The Reformation' - enter Peter 'Bullfrog' Moore; the Club's Godfather. 

In 1977 we were Berries no more - we became Bulldogs - our tough, resilient and refreshed look coincided with the most successful on-field period in our history.

Classic Match: 1985 Grand Final

Captained by George Peponis, 'The Entertainers' brought plenty of joy to households around the country when they broke a 38-year title drought and ushered in a new era. 

In the mid-1980s Warren Ryan's 'The Dogs of War' took a stronghold on the competition, reaching three consecutive Grand Finals and claiming four titles by decade's end with Steve Mortimer at the forefront. 

Despite the Super League War hanging over , the Bulldogs' of 1995 became the first team in history to win a Premiership from sixth position - with talismanic Terry Lamb the centrepiece as he orchestrated a famous 17-4 win. 

From the ashes of the Super League war as well as controversies and arguably the most turbulent period in the early 2000s, Steve Folkes' Dogs of War claimed our latest Premiership in 2004 - one of the most memorable and emphatic victories in the code's history.

Classic Match: 2004 Grand Final

The underdog sides of Des Hasler reached two Grand Finals in a three-year period, off the back of wholehearted contributions from fan favourites such as James Graham, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Josh Morris and Michael Ennis.

While the last decade in the Club's history has had its share of challenges, a new era under Head Coach Cameron Ciraldo and Captain Stephen Crichton began in 2024, where the duo helped manufacture the Bulldogs return to the NRL finals for the first time since 2016.

Now in 2025, as the Club celebrates its 90th Anniversary in the top-flight, there is plenty of optimism and excitement for what the future holds for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. 

Acknowledgement of Country

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.