NSWRL 1985 Premiers
Head Coach Warren Ryan ensured that Canterbury's hunger for further Premiership success stayed long after the 1984 triumph.
His desire for another victory lap rubbed off on the players, who sensed their coach's urgency in his methods.
Secretary Peter Moore explained that "Jack Gibson was right about the title of his book, Winning Starts on Monday. It also applies to winning a Premiership. It starts with the first preseason training session in October and November. Warren Ryan being so intense ensured that we had a very serious start to the season."
The year - which celebrated the Club's 50th anniversary - was not without its controversies; hooker Mark Bugden was suspended for nine weeks, while the side struggled in the early rounds.
Captain Steve Mortimer elevated his reputation further during the State of Origin series, leading New South Wales to their first series victory, before selflessly changing his style of play to suit Ryan's.
1985 Grand Final Highlights: Bulldogs vs Dragons
The semi-finals began with a bang for the Bulldogs, claiming a famous victory against Balmain thanks to a runaway try from centre Andrew Farrar in the last minute of extra time.
A disappointing 16-7 defeat to Minor Premiers St George saw the old rivalry against Parramatta reignite once more, with Canterbury piling on a demoralising 26-nil win over their rivals.
Ryan's tactics proved to be paramount in the Grand Final against the highly fancied Dragons in the decider - and doing so without talismanic five-eighth Terry Lamb.
His replacement came in the form of youngster Michael Hagan, who was up to the task after featuring in 20 matches during the season; albeit in the centres. He provided a sturdy link, combined well with Mortimer and backed himself in defence all game.
The methodical preparation demanded that Canterbury lock up their opponents in their own half, with the 'bombs' proving to be the favoured method of keeping their fullback in his own in-goal.
1985 Grand Final Moment: Mortimer Sneaks Down the Sideline
The systematic, ruthless and no-frills football wasn't endorsed by those who preferred a free-flowing match, but it was what won Grand Finals - the wedge defence from Canterbury kept their opponents scoreless until the 74th minute.
A Peter Mortimer try in the 29th minute and a field goal from Farrar in the 72nd kept the buffer to seven points for much of the match, with the one-pointer from the centre ultimately sealed the win.
Mortimer carried out the plan brilliantly, and while he and Ryan at times didn't meet eye-to-eye at times, the architect and the general were on common ground, combining to execute the 7-6 victory.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 7 (Peter Mortimer try; Andrew Farrar goal; Andrew Farrar field goal) def St George Dragons 6 (Steve Morris; Michael O'Connor goal)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1985 Premiers
| Fullback | 1 | Michael Potter |
| Wing | 2 | Matthew Callinan |
| Centre | 3 | Andrew Farrar |
| Centre | 4 | Chris Mortimer |
| Wing | 5 | Peter Mortimer |
| Five-Eighth | 14 | Michael Hagan |
| Halfback | 7 | Steve Mortimer (c) |
| Lock | 8 | Paul Langmack |
| Second Row | 9 | Steve Folkes |
| Second Row | 10 | Brian Battese |
| Prop | 11 | Peter Kelly |
| Hooker | 12 | Billy Johnstone |
| Prop | 13 | Peter Tunks |
| Interchange | 15 | David Gillespie |
| Interchange | 17 | Mark Bugden |
| Interchange | 18 | Greg Mullane |
| Coach: | Warren Ryan |
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1985 Season Statistics
| Round | Opponent | Score | Venue | Ladder Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 18-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 1st |
| 2 | Bye | - | - | - |
| National Panasonic Cup Game I | Canberra Raiders | 16-6 (W) | Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga | - |
| 3 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 4-24 (L) | Brookvale Oval | 6th |
| 4 | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | 18-18 (D) | Belmore Oval | 8th |
| 5 | Balmain Tigers | 20-18 (W) | Leichhardt Oval | 6th |
| 6 | St George Dragons | 10-10 (D) | Belmore Oval | 6th |
| 7 | Illawarra Steelers | 6-0 (W) | Wollongong Showground | 2nd |
| 8 | Canberra Raiders | 26-2 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| National Panasonic Cup Qualifying Final | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 0-10 (L) | Leichhardt Oval | - |
| 9 | Parramatta Eels | 2-22 (L) | Belmore Oval | 6th |
| 10 | North Sydney Bears | 16-8 (W) | Belmore Oval | 4th |
| 11 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 6-21 (L) | Redfern Oval | 5th |
| 12 | Penrith Panthers | 6-17 (L) | Belmore Oval | 7th |
| 13 | Western Suburbs Magpies | 52-0 (W) | Lidcombe Oval | 5th |
| 14 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 24-16 (W) | Ronson Field | 4th |
| 15 | Bye | - | - | - |
| 16 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 16-12 (W) | SCG | 4th |
| 17 | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | 14-7 (W) | SCG | 4th |
| 18 | Balmain Tigers | 12-18 (L) | Belmore Oval | 4th |
| 19 | St George Dragons | 6-16 (L) | SCG | 4th |
| 20 | Illawarra Steelers | 24-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 4th |
| 21 | Canberra Raiders | 28-16 (W) | Seiffert Oval | 4th |
| 22 | Parramatta Eels | 19-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| 23 | North Sydney Bears | 32-14 (W) | North Sydney Oval | 3rd |
| 24 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 22-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| 25 | Penrith Panthers | 20-6 (W) | Penrith Park | 3rd |
| 26 | Western Suburbs Magpies | 34-6 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| Major Preliminary Semi Final | Balmain Tigers | 14-8 (W) | SCG | - |
| Major Semi Final | St George Dragons | 6-17 (L) | SCG | - |
| Preliminary Final | Parramatta Eels | 26-0 (W) | SCG | - |
| Grand Final | St George Dragons | 7-6 (W) | SCG | Premiers |
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.