Dr. George Peponis OAM; MBBS is a Bulldogs Rugby League legend, playing 132 games over a nine-year career, while also going on to represent NSW and captain Australia in five undefeated Tests.
Hailing from Peloponesse, Greece before migrating to Australia with his family as an infant, George would go on to become one of the nation's finest rugby league players. He succeeded to be one of the top rugby league footballers in Australia and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his significant contributions to the game.
He started his playing career in 1972, joining Canterbury as a hooker. In 1973, George was a regular member of the Under 23s team and featured in the Preliminary Final for the Club against Balmain.
George was elevated from reserve grade to make his first grade debut against South Sydney in 1974 when Barry Phyllis was sidelined due to injury. After a solid debut, he became a regular first-grader, going on to play in the finals series.
In 1975, a lengthy recovery from a broken leg prevented him from playing most of the season but he managed to return in time to play in the reserve grade Preliminary Semi-Final against Cronulla.
By 1976, George had returned to his post as the sides first-grade hooker and would remain there for the next five consecutive seasons. During which, he received his first call-up for the NSW side.
George played seven games for NSW from 1976 to 1980, and eight test matches for Australia from 1978 to 1980, captaining five.
1978 also also saw him appointed Bulldogs Captain and he would go on to captain Canterbury on 7 occasions between 1978 and 1982.
During his captaincy tenure, he led the Bulldogs to the Grand Final against St George in 1979, and to the Premiership win against Easts (Roosters) in 1980.
In 1981, George's season was cut short by injury and a recurrence injury to the neck forced him to announce his retirement in 1982.
During his incredible playing career, George managed to mix his sporting pedigree with a career as a medical doctor and has been in practice since 1979.
Since his playing days, Dr. Peponis has had an extremely successful career, holding a number of roles including Chairman of the Bulldogs and of the NSW Rugby League ontop of his medical committments.
The Bulldogs have long honoured George at their Annual Presentation Night, with the evenings' major award of Bulldogs NRL Player of the Year dedicated in his name - 'The Dr George Peponis Medal'.
This year, the Club has announced the annual event will be celebrated in his namesake.
"The Bulldogs are right in my heart, I've been a Bulldogs player in the past and I am very honoured to have the George Peponis Medal for the Player of the Year named after me," he said.
"I look at the 'Player of the Year' as probably not the best player, not the strongest player, not the most talented player. But the player that everyone wants to play with because they know when you are down in the trenches, they will be down there with you."
George was named at hooker in the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions in 2004, was inducted to the Bulldogs Ring of Champions in 2007, and was inducted into the Bulldogs inaugural Hall of Fame in 2015 alongside Terry Lamb, Steve Mortimer, Les Johns and Eddie Burns.
He is a Life Member of the Football Club and from here on out, the annual Bulldogs Presentation Night will be known as 'The Dr. George Peponis Medal'.
"I am extremely honoured that the whole night has been named after me," George said.
"It is an honour and I am forever grateful to the Bulldogs."
The 2023 Dr. George Peponis Medal will take place on Tuesday, September 5 following the club's final match of the 2023 season this Sunday. The 2023 NRL Player of the Year will be announced at the event.
Recipients of the Dr. George Peponis Medal:
1985 - Steve Mortimer
1986 - Terry Lamb
1987 - Terry Lamb
1988 - Andrew Farrar
1989 - Terry Lamb
1990 - Darren Smith
1991 - Ewan McGrady
1992 - Terry Lamb
1993 - Not Awarded
1994 - Not Awarded
1995 - Jim Dymock
1996 - Darren Britt
1997 - Matthew Ryan
1998 - Jason Hetherington
1999 - Rod Silva
2000 - Hazem El Masri
2001 - Darren Britt
2002 - Brent Sherwin
2003 - Steven Price
2004 - Andrew Ryan
2005 - Roy Asotasi
2006 - Luke Patten
2007 - Luke Patten
2008 - Andrew Ryan
2009 - David Stagg
2010 - Brett Kimmorley
2011 - Aiden Tolman
2012 - Ben Barba
2013 - James Graham
2014 - James Graham & Sam Perrett
2015 - Aiden Tolman & Brett Morris
2016 - David Klemmer
2017 - Josh Jackson
2018 - David Klemmer
2019 - Will Hopoate
2020 - Kieran Foran
2021 - Josh Jackson
2022 - Jeremy Marshall-King
