Steve Folkes remembered as a Canterbury Bulldogs legend
FIERCE, focused and fit, Steve Folkes was never meant to leave rugby league so young. The former Canterbury premiership-winning player and coach died suddenly yesterday of a suspected heart attack. He was just 59.
NSW
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FIERCE, focused and fit, Steve Folkes was never meant to leave rugby league so young.
The former Canterbury premiership-winning player and coach died suddenly yesterday of a suspected heart attack. He was just 59.
It is understood Folkes was exercising when he died.
Tributes flowed last night from a devastated rugby league community shaken by the passing of a man known for his fitness and courage.
“Speechless. One of the fittest blokes still to this day. RIP my first roomie,” posted former Tigers great Paul Sironen.
Former Souths star Craig Coleman wrote: “Fittest player ever. My condolences.”
Folkes stood just 178cm and weighed only 85kg but his defence would rattle and punish opposition players.
They don’t come more Canterbury than Steve Folkes
He played 245 first grade games for Canterbury between 1978 and 1991, winning four premierships. He played nine Origin games for NSW and five Tests for Australia, touring with the unbeaten 1986 Kangaroos.
He coached Canterbury in 288 games between 1998 and 2008, winning the 2004 premiership.
“Steve was one of the true Bulldogs who lived and breathed what the club was built on,” said former Bulldogs teammate Michael Hagan.
“He was a great mentor to me as a young player at the club and a great friend to me and my wife Sue.”
Folkes had been named head coach of the Moss Vale Dragons in 2018. He was also a former Australian Jillaroos coach and NRL video referee.
Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill said: “Steve symbolised everything that the Bulldogs stand for ... his legacy as a Bulldog and what he did for the club will never be forgotten.”