Belmore: A Look Back at Nine Famous Moments

Since 2015, the Bulldogs have returned to the hallowed ground for annual matches, while the Club's Pathways sides continue to take the field each winter.  

The NRL and NRLW operations continue to run out of Belmore Sports Ground, where the commercial and football departments work tirelessly day-in-day-out in search of the Club's next Premiership title. 

From a pick of over 500 matches, we’ve gone with nine of the most famous moments ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Titans.  

Round 1, 1936: The First Outing 

Contrary to common belief, Belmore actually first opened its doors on April 13th, 1936 for the Club’s second season. 

The wait was worth it, however, with Canterbury starting their second campaign with an 11-6 victory over Wests - a strong start after winning just two matches in their inaugural season.  

The newspaper match report highlighted the performance of fullback Tommy Kirk, who tallied four goals.  

Canterbury-Bankstown Rugby League team gave an improved exhibition against Western Suburbs, to win by 11 points to 6, at the Belmore-Campsie Oval, int he second section of the League yesterday. 

The slippery ground seemed to suit Canterbury’s hard-working forwards.  

Wests’ assaults lacked success until Mead picked up and sent Hines away. McLeod received and scored in the corner. 

It was full-back Kirk’s great kick against the wind that gave Canterbury its first points. 
At half-time the score was 3-2 in Wests’ favor. In steady rain, Wests began to infringe, and Kirk goaled again. Wests regained the lead when Tancred dashed over. Another penalty came Canterbury’s way, and Kirk equalised. In the closing stages McConnell scored, and Kirk again goaled.  

Canterbury deserved the win. In the forwards McConnell, Sponberg and Lindfield worked well. Of the backs, Kirk, Quinlivan and Morrison were the best.  

Tickets are running out fast to our Round 2 clash this Sunday – be sure to grab yours here and ensure your place in history!

Round 1, 1968: The Revamp 

Just over three decades after its initial opening, Belmore received a revamp with the ground changing from an oval shape to a rectangle as well as the addition of the famous hill.  

While their Round 1 match against Cronulla ended in a four-point loss (16-12), it marked the beginning of a new era for the venue, now officially titled as ‘Belmore Sports Ground’. 

The venue was officiated opened by Mayor Alderman James William Eccles, who called the new oval a great tribute to the game, according to The Bankstown Torch report: 

"It is a model we can use in endeavouring to provide proper accommodation for rugby league in other parts of the metropolitan area," he said. 

"The NSW Rugby League put everything it had into the effort to establish this ground. 

"The Canterbury Council's contribution deserves a trial tribute. I have never seen a finer effort anywhere." 

Alongside Eccles in attendance was NSWRFL President Bill Buckley, while a pipe band marched along the ground and Blue and White footballs were kicked into the crowd. 

Round 5, 1993: Multicultural Day 

While Multicultural Round has been a staple in the NRL over the past few years, it was the Bulldogs that kick-started the concept on Round 5, 1993 in what was a day of celebration and records. 

With traditional Greek, Lebanese and Korean folk dancing, a Māori Haka as well as food stalls providing cuisines from all corners of the globe, the day got off to a strong start of displaying the camaraderie and connection of the districts’ diversity.  

It didn’t end there, however, with the Bulldogs putting close rivals Parramatta to the sword in a dominant 42-6 display, with the community showing their full support as they recorded a still unbroken record of 27,804 at the venue.  

Round 22, 1995: Baa’s First Farewell 

Season 1995 provided a few anomalies in the rich history of the Club. 

For one, it was the only season that the side was formally known as the ‘Sydney Bulldogs’, while the Club – in the midst of the Super League War and hinging on survival tactics – opted to take home games to Parramatta. 

But with drama engulfing the season not only for the game but the Club, the decision was made to take the final home match of the season – and what was supposed to be Captain and legendary five-eighth Terry Lamb’s final home game – was brought back to Belmore.

The Bulldogs honoured their enigmatic leader in perfect fashion – with a 66-4 walloping of the North Queensland Cowboys; a record margin that stands to this day. 

It turned out to be the best warm-up for the finals too, as the ‘Underdogs’ went on to take out the Premiership in emphatic fashion.   

As for Lamb’s retirement, well, that didn’t last too long, however, as because he went around again one more time... 

Tickets are running out fast to our Round 2 clash this Sunday – be sure to grab yours here and ensure your place in history!

Round 22, 1996: Baa’s Second Farewell 

This time, it was for real. 

Same round, same opponent, same venue and an equally impressive scoreline. 

And while the brave Bulldogs weren’t back in finals contention, they sent the inspirational Lamb out with a bang – this time with a 50-22 shellacking of the Cowboys.  

Despite playing at lock forward for most of the match, the wily five-eighth had a day to remember, scoring two tries.  

And with that, September 1, 1996 was the final day of the great Terry Lamb’s career.  

Round 23, 1998: A Floodlit Finale! 

With the turn of the century coming and the Olympic Stadium offering a brand-new state-of-the-art facility and the opportunity to house over 100,000 Members and fans, the Club decided it was time for an upgrade.  

But before their jump to Homebush for season 1999, the Bulldogs left one lasting impression at their old stomping ground - which resembled more of a quagmire than a football field - taking down newcomers Melbourne in a dour contest. 

In a low-scoring slog, the Bulldogs farewelled Belmore with an 8-4 victory, with Craig Polla-Mounter and Tawera Nikau the lone scorers with two goals from the Blue and White getting them home.   

Round 16, 2015: The Return 

Just shy of 17 years from the Club’s last NRL match at the hallowed ground, the Bulldogs were back at Belmore - and returned in style.  

Coinciding with the front office’s return to Belmore Sports Ground away from Olympic Park, the Round 16 clash against the Melbourne Storm proved to be cause for celebration. 

On a frigid Monday night, the Bulldogs took competition heavyweights Melbourne to the sword in an unforgettable 20-4 victory, one that is etched in the mind of the 16,764 faithful that packed into the venue.  

Round 18, 2017: The Prince’s Send Off 

Twenty-one years after Lamb was farewelled, another famous no.6 had his own send off.  

Departing at the end of the season to the Wests Tigers, prodigal son Josh Reynolds was chaired off by his teammates as the field flooded with passionate Members and supporters following a famous win.  

It nearly ended up a night to forget as Newcastle led the home side 18-8 with five minutes left on the clock, but the never-say-die attitude of the Bulldogs saw two late tries to Marcelo Montoya and Moses Mbye.  

The drama wasn’t over, however, as Reynolds – the man of the moment – handed the Knights one last chance to level with seconds remaining, only for the penalty attempt to go wide.  

Round 22, 2024: The Captain’s Knock 

With the NRL post-season looming and the Bulldogs in a box-seat to break their finals drought, it was a special effort at Belmore that propelled the side further in their quest. 

It was an inspirational Captain's knock from Stephen Crichton who steered the Bulldogs to a 22-18 win over the Raiders in a thrilling contest. 

Locked up at half-time 6-all, it was Crichton who took charge with a try in the opening minutes of the second stanza, powering through to put his side ahead. 

While Canberra attempted to claw their way back, two tries to Josh Addo-Carr foiled the upset, with the Terry Lamb Hill and Burwood Road in celebration mode at full-time.  

Tickets are running out fast to our Round 2 clash this Sunday – be sure to grab yours here and ensure your place in history!