Bulldogs TV has spoken with past player and coach of the 1974 premiership team Malcolm Clift to chat about his time at the club as both a player and a coach.
Malcolm Clift joined Canterbury in 1953 as a centre.
In 1954, Malcolm became a regular member of the reserve grade team and received his opportunity to play first grade on the wing, when Barry Stenhouse was injured. Malcolm continued playing in the lower grades for another two seasons.
In 1957, Malcolm joined Western Suburbs for one season before returning to Canterbury in 1958 to secure a reserve grade position.
In 1959, Malcolm secured a centre position in the third grade team and played in the semi-final against Newtown. Malcolm's last playing season was in 1960.
He then continued with the club as a coach and holds the record for coaching the most grade games for the club with 287 games.
His coaching commenced with third grade 1968 and in 1969, the third grade team played in the Grand Final against South Sydney.
Malcolm coached the reserve grade team in 1970 and was successful in coaching the reserve grade to Premierships in 1971 and 1972.
He became the first grade coach from 1973 to 1977 which includes the 1974 Grand Final against Easts (Roosters).
After leaving the club at the end of the 1977 season, Malcolm returned as reserve grade coach for the 1981 and 1982 seasons. In 1981, his reserve grade team played in the preliminary semi-final against St George.
Malcolm coached the Gold Coast team for one season in 1991 before retiring from full-time coaching. A Life Member of the club, Malcolm also provided assistance to Chris Anderson during his coaching term.
