Ask a bulldogs old timer....

[Bulldog1966]

Looks fit as too JF.Blokes like him, Steve Reardon was another heart and soul player and a bloody top bloke

 

[fooch]

Laurie Nicolls walking through the wog stand on a cold winters day cheered on by every wog there including me ,while wearing his tigers singlet is a memory ill never forget .Not too many other fans had the kahunas to walk through us but the late. LN was a legend

 

[dogluva]

90’s…. Old timer?

I go to 1968.

Before the Steward stand there was just an asphalt hill. And behind that asphalt hill there was a shitbox dilapidated wooden firetrap grandstand, not in use, from the time the ground was a true oval. it had the change rooms in it. And you could peek through the cracks in the joint to observe the teams warming up and getting half time talks etc.

And someone put a Tarzan rope on that grandstand which the kids had a great time on, until one day a kid.. not me.. fell off and went through the splintered floorboards up to his armpits, they had to power saw him out of it.

Brings back memories about the old grandstand and the swinging rope. The big asphalt tarmac where you stood to watch all the games from around 10am.

My first game was at the age of around 7 in 1964 with a massive crowd of around 19000, Berries vs Western Suburbs at Belmore. A draw where we scored two tires to nil. The noise and tribalism was at its best and even though we finished deadset last that year I was hooked. Coached by the Souths legend Clive Churchill and featured one of my all time favourites Les Johns. The days of hot drinks and cold pies from the food van.

 

[dogluva]

Joel.clinton was the Penrith player SBW smashed

 

[gbrussell]

Laurie Nicolls walking through the wog stand on a cold winters day cheered on by every wog there including me ,while wearing his tigers singlet is a memory ill never forget .Not too many other fans had the kahunas to walk through us but the late. LN was a legend

Certainly was. Met him at Leichhardt one day. A unique fan who loved his team but respected all Rugby League fans in general no matter who they supported.

 

[gbrussell]

Brings back memories about the old grandstand and the swinging rope. The big asphalt tarmac where you stood to watch all the games from around 10am.

My first game was at the age of around 7 in 1964 with a massive crowd of around 19000, Berries vs Western Suburbs at Belmore. A draw where we scored two tires to nil. The noise and tribalism was at its best and even though we finished deadset last that year I was hooked. Coached by the Souths legend Clive Churchill and featured one of my all time favourites Les Johns. The days of hot drinks and cold pies from the food van.

LJ my all time favourite too. Graeme Langlands was an immortal but Les was so good that in order to get both of them in the test team, the selectors moved Langlands to the centres.

 

[Bulldogsteve]

Nasheed here,

Whilst I realise I'm not the longest Bulldog supporting TK member here, I am definitely one of the veterans who has been supporting the dogs from asfar back as the mid nineties.

I still remember the Super league era, the 98 semi. The lead up to our 'enhanced' Grand final win, the heartache the year before, and everything after that.

So Just thought Id start up a memory thread of sorts to go through it all, bygone eras.

For example, we once had a player named Craig Polla Mounter. Melbourne born, QLD childhood, NSW teens. Good little nuggety player. Hard to tell what race he was as he had that look that could have been Leb, Greek, Anglo. Who knows.
he was with us for ten years before going to the cowboys, then returned to say Bye. Once nearly kicked a 50m field goal.

Dogs supporters would also be shocked to know we had a Zimbabwean dude from zimbabwe play for us too, and played 2 games, before pissing off to Rugby. Whats more, he is now the CEO of australian Rugby Union. So the last two CEOs have had dogs links!


These are examples of memories lost in time as the younger generation talk about newer legends like Kimmorley, Pritchard, Graham, DWZ, Mason etc


So thought if open up the floor to ask the old timers here (anyone can pitch in, not just myself) about anything and how things were back in the day.

all you are is the biggest dribbler on here, 98 is not back in the day. Keep giving us your rugby league intelligence of quotes like Flannigan to hooker. Other than that STFU

 

[dogluva]

One of my favourites was a tough second rower called Steve Hage. I

LOL. My dad used to call him KNEE Hage or elbow depending on his mood. Tough player who would not last one tackle in today's game with the current rules.

LJ my all time favourite too. Graeme Langlands was an immortal but Les was so good that in order to get both of them in the test team, the selectors moved Langlands to the centres.

The two things I remember most about the fullbacks was the white boots for Langlands in the 1975 Grand final against Roosters and for Les Johns his superb defence. Shame his career was cut short due to injury...

 

[wendog33]

LOL. My dad used to call him KNEE Hage or elbow depending on his mood. Tough player who would not last one tackle in today's game with the current rules.

The two things I remember most about the fullbacks was the white boots for Langlands in the 1975 Grand final against Roosters and for Les Johns his superb defence. Shame his career was cut short due to injury...

Was on the hill at that GF.

We were all in shock at Changa stuffing up every kick and run that day...pain killing needle that went wrong.

 

[gbrussell]

LOL. My dad used to call him KNEE Hage or elbow depending on his mood. Tough player who would not last one tackle in today's game with the current rules.

The two things I remember most about the fullbacks was the white boots for Langlands in the 1975 Grand final against Roosters and for Les Johns his superb defence. Shame his career was cut short due to injury...

Les John's was the best defensive fullback I have seen. His tackle on flying Balmain winger Kevin Yow Yeh in front of the old scoreboard at the Sydney Sports Ground in 1969 was out of this world. At that point Balmain were unbeaten after a 13 or 14 games.

 

[chisdog]

Another ref who loved us.

I can see a pattern (not patten)

 

[dogwhisperer]

Looks fit as too JF.Blokes like him, Steve Reardon was another heart and soul player and a bloody top bloke

They used to call him “sticks”

 

[rwalker999]

My Dad started taking me to Dogs games at Belmore in the mid 70s when I was probably around 12. Steve Mortimer was always great both in attack (including his chip and chase) and the best cover defender I've ever seen. George Peponis would score tries virtually every time he got a play the ball right on the opposition tryline. One of my favourites was a tough second rower called Steve Hage. I still remember a game against the Sharks. A Sharks forward Steve Kneen (who played for Australia) gave Hage a bit of a tap on the head as Hage was playing the ball. The next time Kneen took a hit-up and Hage tackled him I don't know what Hage did but Kneen was carried off on a stretcher. I always liked hard second rowers who could hit hard.

I remember a game in the 70s against Manly when 3 players were sent off in the one game (Max Krillich - Manly hooker, Peponis, and Hage)

I remember being at the game at the SCG against Souths where Peter Kelly was sent off in the first minute and we still won the game

I remember that great comeback win against the Eels in a semi when we were down like 18-2 with only 9 minutes left

I remember the record breaking streak of wins in 2002 when our fast defence would make good teams and usually great players look ordinary / full of mistakes. That's what line speed pressure can do

I've watched all the Grand Finals wins since 1980. We've won the comp 6 times since I've been a supporter. Makes it harder to accept the way we are now I think.

Some of my favourite players over the years

Steve Mortimer. Have bumped into him a few times over the years around Revesby (pub, service station) and one of the Easter Show signing days when I was at school
Steve Hage - hard c..t
Mick Potter - great sidestep and always stepped the first defender when bringing the ball back from his own end
Hazem El Masri - he started off with real pace and ability to break the line (why we started calling him Magic) but he seemed to become slower for the majority of his career. One of the best goalickers of course and always great at coming in off his wing to shut down opposition backline raids
Steve O'Brien - a great winger who could step and had strength to break tackles
Allan Geelan - the year we won both the first grade and reserve grade comp in reserve grade he looked like he was going to be a star but he never lived up to it unfortunately
Mal Creevey - fast tiny half-back in the same reserve grade winning comp team. I remember one week where he scored 3 tries in reserve grade then was called up for first grade and scored another 3 (so 6 same day)
Jason Williams - fast winger with a fantastic side step
Jamal Idris - one of the best fends I've ever seen. I remember a game where he played all over Greg Inglis. I watched the highlights again recently
David Gillespie - could really smash players in defence
Dean Pay - could really smash in defence too. I remember that semi final when he smashed Glen Lazarus out of the game.
Geoff Robinson - man without fear. Hardest running forward. I remember a reserve grade game when someone tapped him on the head while he was playing the ball and he charged into 3 guys swinging punches at them all
Ewan McGrady - like Ben Barba in his day. Brilliant side step and lightning acceleration
Mark Brokenshire - underrated prop who was one of the best hitters we ever had also
Solomon Haumono - could smash people in defence and also break tackle after tackle in attack
Steve Folkes - could hit really well in defence for a smaller forward. Great technique. I used to learn karate at a gym he owned near Belmore for a while in the early 80s I think. He was always there.
Terry Lamb - never saw him play a bad game (even the one where he kicked a field goal late in the game when we were behind by 2 points. Best support player EVER. Tough as when tackling big forwards
Mark O'Meley - only player who could knock out opposing players while he was carrying the ball. Tough as. I remember a game where he came back from a broken jaw in NZ against the Warriors. He wasn't the least bit gun shy. Virtually took on the whole Warriors forward pack all by himself
Sonny Bill Williams - after only a few games in his first season of first grade I thought he was the best forward I'd ever seen. Every time he touched the ball he did something special. He started getting injured a a lot because he was always trying to twist and break tackles. I read he was advised to slow down for his own health. Loved his shoulder charge especially the one against the Panthers prop (can't remember his name). I was at that game.
Jason Hetherington - Hardest tackling hooker I've ever seen.
Sam Kasiano - loved watching him break tackles
Nigel Vagana - his 5 tries in that game against Souths I'll always remember. Best centre in the comp for a few years. Fast and great side step
Frank Pritchard - loved when he knocked out Wade Graham and someone else with massive shoulder charges.
Matt UtaI - loved watching him prove virtually unstoppable for defenders. So strong
Josh Morris - could be magic in attack especially the first few season he played with us
Remis Smith - 1 great game against the Dragons
Ben Barba - simply brilliant. 2012 probably the best players I've ever seen. Was pure magic. What a shame he wasted many more years of such skills

I really enjoyed reading your post bradtalo - great stuff !

 

[Doogie]

Memories..

Wishing I lived in the house behind the golden B'dog so I could get a free game day view and heaps of free footies.
Punching on in Belmore Park b4 and after games.
Hearing Ross Conlons leg snap and saying to my GF - was that your thighs flexing, u must be horny (yeah - bit one sighted back then)
Fighting with young kids in the stands (I was young too) to try to get a corner post first.

Good times....

 

[Ant2611]

Brings back memories about the old grandstand and the swinging rope. The big asphalt tarmac where you stood to watch all the games from around 10am.

My first game was at the age of around 7 in 1964 with a massive crowd of around 19000, Berries vs Western Suburbs at Belmore. A draw where we scored two tires to nil. The noise and tribalism was at its best and even though we finished deadset last that year I was hooked. Coached by the Souths legend Clive Churchill and featured one of my all time favourites Les Johns. The days of hot drinks and cold pies from the food van.

I was 9 that year. Not as lucky as you . My dad took me that year. Grew up in Narwee but dad took me to Belmore because Saints always won and was played boring footy. gameWas against North Sydney got beat 2-48 but I was hooked. Blue and white better than red and white. Sat next to Col Joy. I remember he didnt say a word. Very quite. I guessed he didnt want the attention and I was to shy to talk to him.I thought he must have been a Norths supporter as he was a pop star. Found out years later he was from Panania. Wasnt a good year for the berries from memory that draw that you saw was the only game we got points from. Always loved blue and still do.

 

[Ant2611]

Les John's was the best defensive fullback I have seen. His tackle on flying Balmain winger Kevin Yow Yeh in front of the old scoreboard at the Sydney Sports Ground in 1969 was out of this world. At that point Balmain were unbeaten after a 13 or 14 games.

Hate to tell you gb it was 1966. Balmain was toted as favourites to beat St George for the crown after they had won 10 in a row up to then. It was the first game of the 2nd round and Balmain had not lost a match. First tackle our 2nd rowers George Taylforth and Kevin Goldspink grabbed Keith Barnes and dumped him on his head. Balmain got a penalty but I knew we were going to win that day at the sports ground. I was in that north left corner when Les Johns stopped yo yea. Brilliant tackle and saved the game. Im wonder if the tackle might be on youtube.

 

[Nasheed]

all you are is the biggest dribbler on here, 98 is not back in the day. Keep giving us your rugby league intelligence of quotes like Flannigan to hooker. Other than that STFU

the average human lives for 70 years and 98 was nearly 24 years ago.

So how is over 1/3 of life not back in the day?

Check yourself.

 

[gbrussell]

Hate to tell you gb it was 1966. Balmain was toted as favourites to beat St George for the crown after they had won 10 in a row up to then. It was the first game of the 2nd round and Balmain had not lost a match. First tackle our 2nd rowers George Taylforth and Kevin Goldspink grabbed Keith Barnes and dumped him on his head. Balmain got a penalty but I knew we were going to win that day at the sports ground. I was in that north left corner when Les Johns stopped yo yea. Brilliant tackle and saved the game. Im wonder if the tackle might be on youtube.

Yes you are right it was 1966. Ten team comp. The year before Penrith and Cronulla came in. The tackle on yow yeah by John's was right in front of the score board which was close to the South western corner on the opposite side to the dressing rooms.LJ made a few beauties in his time didn't he.

 

[Brian Boru]

I go back to the early 1950s. That stand was the original MA Noble stand from the SCG. It was removed and re-assembled brick by brick at Belmore - yes it was brick, with a timber floor. The walls are still part of the current Stewart Stand.

Wow.

My first game at Belmore as an 8 year old was the Berries v Manly.
I always remember Roy Bull obviously because he was big and bald.
Played in the juniors for many years. Yagoona boy.
Since then I have followed the Berries/Bulldogs through thick and thin.
Us oldies went through a lot of pain until 1980. Then we became a powerhouse with Bullfrog leading the club.

 

[Brian Boru]

Yes you are right it was 1966. Ten team comp. The year before Penrith and Cronulla came in. The tackle on yow yeah by John's was right in front of the score board which was close to the South western corner on the opposite side to the dressing rooms.LJ made a few beauties in his time didn't he.

At the ground that day and I just wish there was some video or such of that tackle.
Was that the same day he caught a line dropout 40 yards out and kicked a field goal?
Unbelievable LJ was a champion. He produce so many plays that would be on any highlight rule.
Crazy he was placed behind Keith Barnes and Eric Simms for the rep games because goal kicking at the time was as (or more) important as scoring tries.