Lamb: I was proud to wear the Bulldogs jersey every game

A local junior from the Chester Hill Hornets, Terry Lamb was the five-eighth of the club for 13 seasons, having made 262 appearances, with 121 of those as captain.

A member of the 1984, 1988 and 1995 Premiership winning teams, he captained the 95’ team to victory over the Manly Sea Eagles.

In 1993, Terry became the first Canterbury player to score 100 first grade tries and finished his career at the Bulldogs with 123 tries, 375 goals, 37 field goals and 1279 points.

‘Baa’ was named captain and five-eighth of the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions and is ranked alongside Steve Mortimer and Les Johns as the club's greatest player.

Inducted into the Bulldogs Ring of Champions, he was also named in the 100 Greatest Players as part of the Centenary year celebrations.

He collected the Dally M five-eighth of the year six times during his time at Canterbury and claimed the Rothmans Medal in 1984.

The much loved legend of the club, reflects on his incredible career that took him from the Wests Magpies to the Bulldogs.

How does a local junior start his career with the Western Suburbs Magpies?

I played in the Jersey Flegg Grand Final in 1979 and our coach Ken Gentles went over to the Western Suburbs Magpies after we won the competition to coach their under 23s. He asked me if I wanted to go over for a trial, I got an opportunity and I got a contract to play for Wests after two trials. I was very lucky that Ken went over and I’m not sure what would have happened if I stayed at the club in their under 23s.

You had four seasons with the Magpies, what were they like?

It was incredible. It was my apprenticeship to rugby league. I was a mad Western Suburbs supporter as a kid and that’s why I liked going over their because I loved Tommy Raudonikis, but my goal was to win a premiership and I achieved it in my first season at the Bulldogs.

Was it hard to leave the Magpies and join the Bulldogs after claiming the Dally M medal in 1983?

I have always said in life that family is important. My wife Kim was pregnant at the time with our second child so I needed to make some money and pay some bills as well as my house off. That’s the reason I came to the Bulldogs and to win a competition.

Did you work and how did you juggle these commitments with your football?

I was working for Big Ben pies. I would leave home at 3 o’clock in the morning, go and do my work and finish around 2 o’clock in the afternoon. After work I went to mum’s house and have a sleep before I would come to training. I wouldn’t see my kids from 8 o’clock the night before until the next night when I would tuck them into bed. I was away from the kids a lot during the week juggling work, training and playing.

What was your first season like at Canterbury?

It was almost like starting over again. Warren Ryan came in and brought his theory in. It was learning how to pass again, learning how to tackle again and you needed to be very fit. There were plenty of road runs, no water at times and we got punished quite a bit, but that’s what made us a tight playing group.

How hard was it to miss the 1985 Grand Final after winning one in 84?

I got injured in the first semi-final and I burst a blood vessel in my leg. I was on crutches for two weeks and I knew then I wouldn’t make the grand final, but I tried everything to get back on the field. Come game day I was sitting there dressed up in my gear with everything on knowing that I could have got a start, but again it was a tight grand final and I didn’t think I was going to get on the field. Running onto the field at the end of the game was fantastic, but it’s not the same when you win one and you don’t take to the field as it is when you play and contribute to the victory. I played every game that year except for two and I’m not counted in winning the grand final.

What was so special about the 1995 Grand Final performance?

I turned up on game day and there were all these red hats in the crowd and I thought they were all Manly fans, but they were Winfield Cup hats because it was the last Winfield Cup and I had no idea. It was supposed to be my last game and I get sent to the sin bin after 10 minutes. Manly only scored one try all game and they were the dominant side all season, we were ready and nothing was going to get in our way. Holding the trophy up was incredible and we celebrated.

Who convinced you to play on for another season after 95?

It was my choice. I kept on training and started around two weeks after the 95 Premiership. I did plenty of running over the break and I was feeling really good. I felt incredibly fit at the time and I went up to Chris Anderson and Peter Moore and said to both of them, I’m going to have another year. The first training session for the new season came round and I came second behind Simon Gillies on the bay run. Super League money was around and I got paid very well through it. I played every game that year, but I was there to help the young blokes who were coming through the club.

Is there a moment through your career at the club when you felt most proud to wear the blue and white jersey?

I was proud to wear the Bulldogs jersey every game.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?

My family. Five sisters and a brother. Mum would have missed two games throughout my career and she came along to every game at Belmore. She would make salmon and onion rolls and I would have half a roll before a game. My family have played a huge part in my journey along with my wife Kim.

What’s one thing you take away from you career at the club?

I think the most important part of when you play 13 years at a club is to see all these young kids come through. In 1990 we had around 10 senior players leave the club and we had the likes of Dean Pay, Robert Relf, Barry Ward, Jason Hetherington, Darren Britt and Jimmy Dymock come through. For me, I was so proud to play with these players and it was up to me to teach them what this club is about, what the Bulldogs culture was. You can’t explain it. It’s just who we are and what the blue and white bleeds.

What does it mean to be named in the club’s Hall of Fame?

It’s incredible. To be named amongst the inaugural club Hall of Famers is amazing. It’s probably the last trophy I will get, but I’m happy with that. Les Johns, George Pepponis, Eddie Burns and Steve Mortimer created the club to where it is now.