Canterbury Bulldogs bring passion back to Belmore

IN THE first NRL match at historic Belmore Sports Ground in 17 years, the Bulldogs have come out all guns blazing, reminding Dogs fans of the Canterbury of old.

Dogs fan for 60 years, 71 year old Stephen Henry-Ellis enjoying the night 'Back at Belmore' for the first NRL match to be played back at Belmore Oval for the first time in 17 years when the Canterbury Bulldogs take on the Melbourne Storm in Monday night football.. pic. Phil Hillyard

THE CANTERBURY Bulldogs have not played at Belmore Sports Ground in an official NRL match in 17 years, having moved their home games to ANZ Stadium at the end of the 1998 season.

In those 17 years, Belmore has sat relatively dormant — a sleeping giant, laying in wait for the day the NRL would call it up to once again host an official first grade round.

Since its retirement as a hub of exciting, home grown rugby league, Belmore has played host to Bulldogs administration, training, lower grade games and junior matches.

The club took a hiatus from the ground from 2008-2011, but returned a year later to utilise the historic fields once again.

At the start of the 2015 season, it was announced the Bulldogs would mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of Belmore by hosting two NRL games there throughout the season.

Round 16 was announced as the date Canterbury would reanimate the sleeping giant that once was one of the greatest local sporting grounds in the country.

The Melbourne Storm would be Belmore’s first victim.

Bulldogs legend Terry Lamb runs onto Belmore Sports Ground for his last game on the ground in 1995.

The last time the Canterbury and Melbourne met at the ground, a strong 1998 Bulldogs side beat the Victorians 8-4 in a very tight match-up.

However, when the two sides met again on the same ground as Monday night thriller in round 16, one team seemed to be playing with something special on their side.

A ground that holds in it the memories of rugby league greats such as Terry Lamb and Steve Mortimer, the expectations at Belmore are high for any Bulldogs side. And in front of a 16,000-strong sell-out crowd, Des Hasler’s men had a lot to play for.

It is safe to say, they did not disappoint. `

With just three minutes gone in the match, Brett Morris grounded a grubber kick to secure the first NRL four-pointer for the Dogs on the original field in nearly two decades.

Not three minutes later, towering youngster Shaun Lane carried the Melbourne Storm defence on his back to crash over the line and make in 10-0 to the home side.

The Bulldogs crossed again within five minutes, making it 16-0 with only a third of the first half gone.

However, the Storm managed to keep the Bulldogs side scoreless for the rest of the first half, as it appeared the home town flare had died towards the midway point in the match.

But something must have been said in those old changerooms that re-ignited the spark in the Canterbury players. Almost as soon as the sides returned, Josh Morris went over for an easy try to match his brother’s efforts for the night and put the game beyond reach for Melbourne.

David Klemmer was impressive all night for the Bulldogs.

Canterbury kept the Storm scoreless right up until the 79th minute, in what was a very gutsy defensive effort.

The line finally broke however when a stretched Bulldogs defence made way for Marika Koroibete to receive a try in the corner as reward for his impressive efforts throughout the second half.

The Bulldogs came away with a dominant 20-4 win, in a match that was always going to see the home side victorious.

After that performance, we can all agree — there is definitely something about Belmore. Welcome back.