NRL 2024: Bulldogs to shut-out non-members for future Belmore Sports Ground games amid growing popularity

More than 18,000 crammed Belmore to watch the Bulldogs beat the Raiders, with the popularity of the match and venue prompting club officials to change attendance protocols for future matches.

Canterbury fans have been waiting a long time to have a competitive team again. NRL Imagery

Canterbury will shut-out all non-members to future Belmore Sports Ground games ahead of another Sydney suburban NRL sell out this weekend.

More than 18,000 crammed Belmore on Sunday to witness Canterbury secure a gripping 22-18 win over Canberra – the popularity of the match and venue prompting club officials to change their attendance protocols.

And Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton was told by club fans that the atmosphere rivalled an English Premier League game.

Given the stadium’s extraordinary popularity among NRL fans, Warburton revealed future games at Belmore would be open to members only.

It is a remarkable endorsement for Sydney suburban rugby league.

“Seeing Belmore Sports Ground packed to the rafters and buzzing with excitement was a testament to the strong connection our fans have with this historic venue,” Warburton said.

Canterbury fans turned out in force at Belmore against the Raiders. Picture: NRL Imagery

“It was an atmosphere you had to experience to truly understand.

“I had multiple supporters tell me the atmosphere rivalled that of a Premier League match in the north of England.

“Next year, we want to make the match at Belmore Sports Ground an exclusive event for our members.

“Missing out on this year’s incredible game should be a significant incentive for fans to secure their memberships early for 2025.”

Canterbury management has no plans to increase the number of games at Belmore from next season.

The Bulldogs will wait until the 2025 NRL draw is released in November to determine which match will be played at Belmore.

There were amazing post-match scenes with thousands of Canterbury fans cheering, chanting and beating drums along popular Burwood Oval, near Belmore Sports Ground.

People were four-deep on the sidewalks as the road was essentially closed to local traffic.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our members and fans who turned up in droves to make the day at Belmore Sports Ground a roaring success,” Warburton said.

“It’s pleasing to witness the positive role our club plays in highlighting the vibrant community of Belmore, Canterbury-Bankstown, and southwestern Sydney.”

The excitement of Belmore will be replaced and matched by exhilaration of another packed suburban ground this weekend – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

High-flying Canterbury play neighbours St George Illawarra, fresh from last weekend’s stunning upset win over Melbourne at AAMI Park, this Saturday night at Kogarah.

The famous ground in Carlton holds 20,000 fans and was on Monday afternoon declared a sell out.

Dragons management has no plans to shift the game to the larger Allianz Stadium.

Excitement is building at Belmore. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Bulldogs sit fifth on the NRL competition ladder, St George Illawarra is running eighth.

Former premiership-winning forward Mark Geyer reckons Canterbury can claim this year’s title.

“I think they can go all the way, I really do,” Geyer told Triple M.

The only negative to Belmore on Sunday was social media vision of some Bulldogs fans taunting a Raiders supporter, known as Simon the Drummer, post-game.

Bulldogs fans surrounded Simon with one man trying to drag the visiting Raiders fan, dressed in full Canberra apparel, to the ground.

Even some Canterbury fans were angry at the minority of fellow supporters who attempted to humiliate the Canberra man.

One Bulldogs fan posted: “Celebration does not excuse abuse and stupidity. Simon the drummer did not deserve this.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Bulldogs to shut-out non-members for future Belmore Sports Ground games amid growing popularity