Dragonslayers to Demolition Jobs: The Best Bulldogs Victories Over the Red V

Since Canterbury-Bankstown's entrance in the competition in 1935, the Dragons - whether St George or St George Illawarra - have always held an air of excitement, intensity and of course, drama.  

Ahead of our Round 1 blockbuster to kick-off the 2025 season, here are some of our most famous victories against the Red V.  

1942 Grand Final: Canterbury Claim Second Cup 

Despite being just their eighth season in the top-grade, Canterbury-Bankstown claimed its second Premiership title in a close encounter, beating St George 11-9 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. 

Dubbed as ‘gripping football’ according to journalist Claude Corbett, the crowd of 27, 071 saw Canterbury run away with the victory after the sides were drawn level at 7-all at the break. 

Fullback Lin Johnson played a major role in the victory, slotting four goals and contributing all but three of the side’s points, with the lone try going to winger Bob Jackson.  

At fulltime, the ‘Country Bumpkins’ had prevailed, with Captain Ron Bailey carried through the crowd by teammates after his side claimed the Club’s second Premiership in five years.  

1967 Prelim-Final: Dragonslayers End St George's Run 

The most famous dynasty in the sport’s code came to an end on September 9, 1967 as Canterbury-Bankstown broke St George’s eleven-year reign of the Premiership in a thrilling 12-11 victory in that year’s Preliminary Final. 

The architect of the victory came from incoming Captain-Coach Kevin Ryan, a former Saint who took on the top job at Canterbury following success in the Red V. 

Qualifying for their first decider in two decades, Ryan’s tenacious side clawed their way back from a 9-nil deficit after just 23 minutes but posted seven points in a three-minute period.  

On the stroke of halftime, injured winger Barry Reynolds crossed to give the ‘Berries’ the lead for the first time, and while the Dragons fought back, a 50-yard penalty to George Taylforth saw the momentum back with the Blue and White.

The side held on for dear life in the dying stages of the match, which produced an ‘electric’ atmosphere, with the Sunday Telegraph describing the battle as ‘a fitting final which produced probably the best football of the season’. 

1985 Grand Final: Bulldogs Go Back-To-Back 

A single try was scored and a single point was all that separated the Bulldogs and Dragons in the epic 1985 NSWRL Grand Final, which saw the reigning Premiers defend their crown in one of the most famous victories in Club history.  

Overwhelming their highly-favoured opponents using Coach Warren Ryan’s famous ‘wedging defence’, the Club’s fifth Premiership title was secured at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a dire 7-6 victory.  

Peppering their opponents all day with high kicks, the Bulldogs forced the Dragons behind their own line on multiple occasions, with Captain Steve Mortimer producing a Man of the Match performance.  

It was another Mortimer, in this case Peter, who crossed for the side’s first and only try of the afternoon in the 29th minute, courtesy of a brilliant cut-out pass from Peter Kelly and converted by Andrew Farrar.  

With both sides fighting desperately to land the next blow, it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that the scoreline had changed, again from the boot of Farrar to give the Bulldogs a handy 7-nil lead.  

A late scare just moments from full-time came as St George’s Steve Morris crossed, but the Dogs of War held on to secure a famous victory, and the Club’s fifth title. 

1995 Qualifying Final: On the Road to Glory  

The 1995 ARL Premiership victory, dubbed ‘The Impossible Premiership’ saw the Sydney Bulldogs climb from 6th place to claim the title in emphatic circumstances; and it was this 12-8 victory over the Dragons that kick-started the run in the first week of finals.  

At a drenched Sydney Football Stadium, points were few and far between for both sides, with the ever-reliable boot of sharpshooter winger Daryl Halligan producing eight of the side’s points.  

It wasn’t until the 68th minute when the Bulldogs crossed, with hard-hitting forward Dean Pay carrying multiple defenders with him to crash over after a determined 20-metre run. 

Desperation defence in final moments saw Chris Anderson’s men hold off the highly-fancied Dragons and ending their campaign for the 1995 season.  

1998 Minor Prelim Semi: Old Foes' Final Battle

Prior to their joint-venture with the Illawarra Steelers in 1999, the Bulldogs had the distinction of being St George's final opponents, sending off the Dragons with a 20-12 victory in the Minor Prelim Semi of 1998. 

In the midst of one of the most famous Grand Final runs in the modern game, the first week of the finals saw an elimination battle between 8th and 9th at Kogarah Oval, described as ‘one of the year’s toughest and most controversial matches’ by the Mirror’s Tim Prentice. 

While the Dragons claimed a 12-nil lead after as many minutes, the Bulldogs forwards got to work with Darren Britt and Barry Ward leading the charge alongside Jason Hetherington, Steve Price, Robert Relf and Travis Norton.  

Sharpshooter Daryl Halligan touched down first for Canterbury, while flying fullback Rod Silva added to the scoresheet soon after, giving the side the lead for the first time.  

With the Bulldogs just a nose ahead 14-12 with five minutes remaining on the clock, a string of hard running and slick offloading saw late replacement Shane Martenee burst through to score the match-winning try, showcasing brute strength and fancy footwork in the process.  

Round 1, 2005: Title Defence Begins with a Bang

Following a loss in the World Club Challenge against Leeds, Steve Folkes' side looked to bounce back and begin their title defence in style to start the 2005 NRL season. 

In the most recent Round 1 match-up between the two clubs, the Bulldogs ran rampant at Telstra Stadium, with Captain Andrew Ryan scoring a brace as his side ran in an impressive 46-28 victory to get their campaign off to the perfect start.

Despite Sonny Bill Williams and Mark O’Meley coming from the field, the victory was all but assured at the break, with the Blue and White holding a comfortable 28-nil lead. 

A Hazem El Masri penalty opened the scoring, before his boot converted a try to Braith Anasta, with Williams supplying the final pass for an 8-nil lead. 

Halfback Brent Sherwin got in the action, with two of his kicks providing two tries as Matt Utai and Ryan added their names to the scoresheet, before veteran lock Tony Grimaldi crossed.  

While the Dragons replied with 28 unanswered points of their own in the second stanza, tries to Jamaal Lolesi, Adam Perry, Corey Hughes and a second to Ryan saw the Bulldogs bounce back with an emphatic and memorable win to begin 2005.

Round 24, 2018: The Demolition Job  

Unable to qualify for the 2018 Finals Series, the Bulldogs had, in theory, little to play for in this Round 24 clash. But with plenty of pride on the line, the Blue and White notched up their biggest-ever winning margin against the joint venture.  

Young winger Reimis Smith starred with a hat-trick in just his eleventh game of first-grade, including two long-range efforts that brought the Bulldogs Army to their feet. 

A deft kick from five-eighth Lachlan Lewis put veteran centre Josh Morris in to open the scoring, before a charging Smith burst onto an offload to score a memorable 65-metre try, running around speedster fullback Matt Dufty. 

It took just five minutes for the flying winger to touch down once again, this time employing finger-tip control in the corner to extend the lead to 18 points at the break, despite Kerrod Holland being disallowed a try five minutes from the break.

 A lone penalty goal was the only scoring in the ensuing 25 minutes, but it was that man Smith who exploded through the line once again with a 70-metre run from a Will Hopoate pass to seal the result. 

The Morris brothers combined sublimely for Brett to cross in the 75th minute, before interchange forward Ofahiki Ogden put the icing on the cake after barging through to score with just two minutes remaining.  

Round 12, 2024: Second Half Seven Sinks Saints 

The Bulldogs celebrated Indigenous Round with a thumping 44-12 victory at Accor Stadium, with Cameron Circaldo’s side piling on seven tries in the second half after trailing early on. 

Halfback Toby Sexton marked his return to first-grade with a slick grubber that put partner Matt Burton in for the side’s first try in response to the Dragons’ opening four-pointer, before their opponents hit back soon after. 

Utility Jaeman Salmon struck first in the second stanza with a clever dummy, making it a double just moments later to give the Bulldogs the lead for the first time.

 Skipper Stephen Crichton engineered the following four-pointer to give his wingman Jacob Kiraz a try of his own, while Reed Mahoney put backrower Jacob Preston in to extend the lead. 

Burton and Kiraz bagged doubles while Crichton added his name to the scoresheet in the 32-point romp, completing their fifth consecutive victory at Accor Stadium. 

Round 23, 2024: Sexton Shines in Dramatic Win 

A sell-out crowd at Kogarah was in full force in a controversial victory with halfback Toby Sexton announcing himself as the Bulldogs’ no.7 in a famous 28-10 victory.

Five-eighth Matt Burton claimed a person tally of 16 points with a try and six goals, but it was his halves partner who was the maestro, laying on two first-half tries to centre Bronson Xerri as the Bulldogs bullied the Dragons at their home ground.

With a 20-10 lead at the break, Cameron Ciraldo’s men sealed the victory in the 70th minute with lock Kurt Mann crashing over the line with the only try of the second stanza, shutting out their opponents in the process.

The victory marked the 2024 Dr George Peponis Medal winner Viliame Kikau’s 150th NRL match and continued the side's late-season momentum, all but guaranteeing a spot in the finals after an seven-year absence.