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[h=1]Bulldogs looking for historic rugby league clean sweep[/h]
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[h=2]League Central: Round 26 – Bulldogs v Roosters[/h]The Bulldogs’ 12-game winning streak came to an end last week and Des Hasler will be keen to get them back on track ahead of the finals aga...
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CANTERBURY are poised to finish minor premiers in all three grades and will now focus on a historic rugby league clean sweep - a feat last achieved nearly 50 years ago.
The Bulldogs lead the competitions in NRL, Toyota Cup and the NSW Cup going into the final round - a rare and extraordinary performance under a new head coach.
Canterbury is also clear winner of the 2012 club championship.
The Bulldogs must defeat Sydney Roosters tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium to officially secure the NRL minor premiership.
St George was the last team to win all three grades back in 1963 - smack bang in the middle of their unprecedented 11-year premiership streak.
The Dragons that year won first grade 8-3 against Wests, reserve grade 5-4 versus Souths while third grade defeated Canterbury 12-2.
"Once in 49 years - that shows how hard it is winning three grades in one year," said former Canterbury forward David Gillespie.
"There is a long, long way to go before it happens this year but full credit to Des Hasler and the Bulldogs. Leading three grades into the final round is a great effort.
"It's wonderful having Canterbury back where they belong - among the top clubs in rugby league."
Before Saints, Souths were the last club to win all three grades way back in 1925. And before that it was Balmain in 1915 and 1916.
This year's results aren't surprising to club CEO Todd Greenberg.
"Both Des and I said at the start of pre-season that we wanted to be competitive throughout the year," Greenberg said. "It is pleasing to see all three grades competing for minor premiership honours this weekend. It reflects the club's hard work and significant credit should be apportioned to the football staff.
"Our results to date certainly auger well for the future. Ultimately we are looking for long-term sustainable success on and off the field. The true rewards come at the end of September - not at the beginning."
Head of stats at Fox Sports Stats, historian Ian Collis, reckons Canterbury is a real chance to pull off a miracle. "It remains the holy grail of the modern era but will the very strong Canterbury sides of this year finally break through for three grades? Looking at their playing roster they are certainly a chance," he said.
"In the years since those great St George sides of 1963, the closest a club has gone was in both 1964 and '65, when Saints won two of the three grand finals.
"St George again in 1985 went close when their first grade side failed by the narrowest margins to defeat Canterbury, and Canberra almost managed to make it in 1990, losing just the reserve grade in extra time.
"Parramatta, who were the last to dominate the club championship, with seven consecutive wins from 1976 to 1982, could not break through."
