Pride, passion and a cheeky $61,000 collect fuelling Canterbury’s fanatical fan base

After a long finals drought the drums are beating and the dabke is being danced down Burwood Road again, Tyson Jackson reveals the pride and passion that powers the Dogs of War.

The Dogs of War are back.

The streets are filled with blue and white, fans parading, and the players are replicating their heroes who once battled between the same white lines.

They scream ‘the Dogs are having a party,’ and the entire community is proving it.

It’s been a long time since it’s been like this.

Between 2001-2016 being a Bulldogs fan came with pride and passion, making the finals 11 times, winning a premiership and advancing to the grand final on three other occasions.

But a seven year drought followed as the once proud club sank to one of its lowest periods in its existence, as did the once vociferous Bulldogs army.

Only the strongest hung around.

And none were stronger than Bulldogs forward Kurtis Morrin, a lifelong fan whose DNA is seeped into the four walls of Belmore.

Morrin has been one of his team’s most consistent through 2024, but his connection with the club goes deeper than just his own playing career.

The Dogs of War are back.

Before playing a key role on the field for the rejuvenated Bulldogs, a young Morrin sat in the stands of Belmore and Accor Stadium adorned in blue and white, cheering uncle Brad in the NRL, and dad Matthew in reserve grade.

“When I was younger, I was coming to the games here all the time,” Morrin said.

“I always looked up to it, was just always in the family.

“So honestly, I had no other thoughts but just to play footy.

“And especially for the Bulldogs.”

Building a legacy and memories of his own, Morrin can’t look past the fun he had being a member of The Kennel during its glory days.

Kurtis Morrin bleeds blue and white.

The 24-year-old remembers Belmore being transformed into a festival on game day. And although he’s made great memories on the field, some of his fondest come from off it.

“If you came to a game, you could feel the passion,” he said.

“You could feel it from a block away, they just had a vicious team, and it was around the time of the Dogs of War.

“So you could just feel the contact, feel the passion in the crowd, and just the whole area.

“It was exciting to be down there and be a part of something like that.”

Having experienced the good times as a fan, Morrin can feel there is something similar floating in the air for their first finals appearance in seven years.

While he tries to zone in when on the field, as he edges towards the 50-game milestone, Morrin still struggles to drown out the noise.

But what some see as a distraction, Morrin uses to narrow his focus.

“Now, when we play at home, you can definitely feel the difference,” he said.

“That’s probably why we’ve been so successful this year, because our fans come out and they give it, they just feed us with passion.

“It’s surreal to be on the other side of that fence and feeling that crowd, the energy, having my family, friends, I can just picture myself being back there in the crowd.”

If he looks hard enough, he might recognise a few faces.

Emilio Bounassif has held firm with his team through the hardships, reviving a support group that was once considered one of the strongest in Australian sport.

“The last eight years, it’s been a roller coaster, a real struggle,” Bounassif said.

“What we have now is a beautiful feeling, and we’ve made it past all the obstacles. We’re finally here, so we’re gonna enjoy it.”

Along with the thousands of Bulldogs supporters, many of whom are also of Lebanese origin, Bounassif has become a regular on Burwood Road after wins.

Bulldogs faithful: (back row) Anthony Bechara, Charnel Hanna, Bill Hanna, Samuel Hanna and (front centre) Emilio Bounassif. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“It’s a lot of Middle Eastern culture that plays a big part,” he said.

“The drumming, the dabke, It’s something if you have an experience, you just need to get, you need to find your way to Burwood road.

“It’s something special that goes on there. Just being in the middle of it, even if you’re not partying, you’re just watching on.

“It’s amazing to see how much it means to the community and the players. I’m sure they see that, and it drives them even more.“

Bounassif isn’t alone, with long time friend Bill Hanna and his brothers also refusing to turn their back on the club.

Even now as a 22-year-old, Bill has pledged to be a leader to the Bulldogs Army, and make sure they never fade away again.

The friend group have started making their own merchandise, with their “Bulldogs Premiers 2024” shirts already attracting the ambitious fans.

“My whole life revolves around Canterbury-Bankstown,” Hanna said.

“The Bulldogs aren’t just a team, it’s a lifestyle.”

Bill is hoping his passion for the club will bring himself and his family much happiness and joy, but also $61,000.

In March of this year, the Bankstown local put a $1000 on his beloved Bulldogs to win the competition, while his team were 61 to 1 underdogs.

“When I win I’m going to spend it on a lifetime supply of Doggies merchandise and Bulldogs parade celebrations,” he said.

Bill is part of the 6% of punters backing the Bulldogs to win the premiership.

They are currently the fourth best backed to still in contention to win the premiership.

Originally published as Pride, passion and a cheeky $61,000 collect fuelling Canterbury’s fanatical fan base