20 YEARS [1980-2000] COMMERATIVE WALLPAPER

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No club has enjoyed more success than the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Bulldogs since 1980 and yet when all these 'expert' media fantasy sides are picked, only ONE player made the best side of the 1990's and in fairness Bradley Clyde despite his outstanding 1999 season with Canterbury was mostly picked on his success with Canberra Raiders before hand.

Despite four premierships in the 1980's, there was no Canterbury player in sight in the best 1980's side.

Canterbury have the runs on the board but will never be a media darling side. They may not have had the individuals but five premierships and three runners up medals are testiment to the clubs proven success in the last 20-years.

Our criteria for selection was performances whilst at Canterbury post 1980. In tough selections, we often went for the grand final hero first, followed by games played and than rep honours. One person was picked as winger and coach, he has been omitted from the wing.

Fullback: Greg Brentnall
Brentnall joined Canterbury in 1977 but played his best football between 1980-83 before retiring at a youngish age to head back to the Riverina. Brentnall was a star performer in the 1980 grand final success and was a deserved winner of the 1982 Rothmans Medal award. An easy and certain selection for fullback.

Wing #1: Daryl Halligan
What he lacks in speed and attacking flair, he's made up for it in his sheer magic under pressure in goal kicking. Halligan has been the main reason why Canterbury has made three grand finals in the 1990's and the Bulldogs would have been lost without him, like they were in 1993. Halligan holds the record for the most points for Canterbury and in Rugby League history.

Wing #2: Steve O'Brien
Following the selection of Chris Anderson as coach, O'Brien wins a spot on the wing. He was one of the most powerful wingers of his era and robbed of Australian selection in 1986. O'Brien was hit by a few injuries in his five years at Belmore but when only a young rookie in the 1984 grand final, he was the Bulldogs star marking up against the great Eric Grothe. His reading in attack and defence won the game. He edged out Steve Gearin, Peter Mortimer and Hazem El-Masri for the wing position vacated by Anderson.

Centre #1: Chris Mortimer
One of the toughest centres to play the game. No one got through Chris Mortimer's brick wall defence and was the first picked centre. Mortimer showed between 1984-86 that his tough as nails play was crucial in the revival of NSW and he was one of the very few players to regularly out play and bottle up Cronin, Meninga and Miles.

Centre #2: Andrew Farrar
Formed a great combination with Chris Mortimer and played a vital role in the mid 1980's success. Farrar wasn't as strong as Mortimer in defence but his attack was more dangerous. Farrar played 186 first grade games and his only field goal for Canterbury won them the 1985 grand final. Very easy selection.

Five-Eight: Terry Lamb (vice-captain)
I don't think I need to say much here except that I didn't even think for who the 5/8 be. Lamb was the crucial difference from being so near in 1983 to success in 1984. Lamb provided Canterbury that class 5/8 outside Steve Mortimer and in the 1990's he was a terrific captain for the Bulldogs as they underwent a rebuilding programme that saw them enjoy three terrific years between 1993-95. Lamb was an inspiration and only fitting that he is also named as vice-captain.

Halfback: Steve Mortimer (captain)
Played in the most first grade games for Canterbury and the only player to captain Canterbury to two premierships. Steve Mortimer was simply a champion for Canterbury and like Lamb's selection at 5/8, we didn't even need to think about it. Mortimer led the Bulldogs in three successive grand finals and always rose to the occasion of big matches at the SCG. Mortimer was unanimous choice as captain and it's a title well deserved as not only he is the most successful captain Canterbury's produced, he also led the Blues to glory for the first time in 1985.

Lock: Paul Langmack
Ultra talented schoolboy emerged as a key player in the Bulldogs success between 1984-88. Langmack from a young age always had an experienced head on young shoulders and his skill at lock gave the Bulldogs the 3rd attacking option around the rucks but he was also a strong defender as Glenn Burgess found out in the 1985 grand final. Langmack's last two seasons at Canterbury left a sour taste in the mouth but he was an outstanding asset in his 174 top grade games at Belmore.

Second Row #1: Steve Folkes
Never much of him in size but he was the backbone of the Bulldogs forwards right through the 1980's. Folkes played in 243 first grade games for Canterbury and was the ultimate clubman who do anything for his coaches. Folkes had a special knack of lifting the extra edge for the big finals and is the only player to start in six grand finals at Canterbury.

Second Row #2: David Gillespie
Gillespie emerged in 1984 but would play crucial roles in 1985 and 1988 premiership successes while his absence was telling in 1986 when his driving defence or sharp attacking skills could have been the difference between winning and losing that year. Gillespie in his Canterbury days had the cement like defence but he was also very good running off Lamb, Mortimer or Langmack in attack. His best club years were with the Bulldogs.

Prop #1: Peter Tunks
Joined the Bulldogs in 1984 when Souths said he couldn't play. Tunks provided the power up front to ensure the forwards dominated game played in the Warren Ryan era. Tunks was the best front rower in Rugby League from 1984-88 and it's no surprise during that time the Bulldogs played in four grand finals. Tunks in 1988 captained Canterbury to their 6th premiership.

Prop #2: Peter Kelly
How Kels never played for Australia is a complete mystery while Phil Daley did.... Kelly was the hardman of the Bulldogs pack and was a well deserved Man of the Match winner in both the 1984 and 1985 premiership successes. No prop was tougher than Kelly and his combination with Tunks gave Canterbury the most feared front row of their era. His non-selection in Australian sides was a complete farce.

Hooker: Jason Hetherington
Probably the 2nd most controversial selection in the starting side but we took into account that Hetherington has played in three grand finals and George Peponis only had one full year in the qualification period but he did captain the Bulldogs to a premiership. Peponis will always be the best hooker Canterbury has produced but Hetherington has been the best hooker post Peponis and it's been Hetherington's defence up the middle that has helped the Bulldogs to grand final appearances in 1994, 1995 and 1998. On top of that, Hetherington is the undisputed No.1 hooker in the world since 1998.

Reserve Back: Craig Polla-Mounter
His performance against Parramatta in THAT semi-final alone would get Polly into the best Bulldogs squad but he's also been a key player in Canterbury's 1990's success. Polla-Mounter when this side was selected has played in 168 first grade games for the Bulldogs and been a part of three grand final campaigns. He's always had to fight for his spot but when the pressure has been on, Polly has always stood tall for the Bulldogs and deserves his place in the best 17.

Reserve Utility: Darren Smith
Without doubt the best utility seen at Canterbury. Smith has always filled in well whether it be second row, centre, lock or 5/8, he's always done the job for the Bulldogs. Smith is in his second stint now with Canterbury but it was his first five seasons as a Bulldog that won him a place in the side. Between 1990-94, Smith was the second most consistent Bulldogs player after Lamb and was there every week doing his job without much fanfare. Terrific player and ideal for any bench.

Reserve Backrower: Simon Gillies
Some may see it as a controversial selection but far from it. Infact Barry Nelson had Gillies in his best ever Canterbury starting side. Gillies has given his all for Canterbury and his performances during the entire 1995 final series will always be one to remember. When Canterbury needed to lift, it was Gillies who stood above all else and delivered the Winfield Cup for Terry Lamb. Only political reasons denied him the Clive Churchill Medal.

Reserve Frontrower: Darren Britt
A very tight selection where it was down to Britt, Dunn, Pay and Robinson for the final spot in the 17. We eventually went for Britt in a coin toss but it was close and this spot still may change. What tipped the scales Britt's was his leadership qualities during the dramatic finals run in 1998 and he's played in more first grade games than Dunn, Pay or Robinson has for the club. It was a very close call and that went right down until we decided to run with the team. Paul Dunn in the draft copy was listed but changed at the last second.

Coach: Chris Anderson
Very hard to pick the coach between two outstanding coaches. Warren Ryan on the strength he coached Canterbury to three successive grand finals but Chris Anderson also went within a whisker of three in a row. Anderson rebuilt a side from nothing to a premiership in 1995 while Peter Moore inherited Ryan an instant championship side. Anderson's job was tougher, he succeeded and despite coaching the Storm now, he'll ALWAYS be a Bulldog from top to bottom and at heart.