Buzz: Bulldogs legend Jim Dymock says Canterbury and Manly could break 29-year premiership streak
Former Bulldogs legend and current Manly assistant Jim Dymock was the last Clive Churchill winner from a team who claimed the trophy from outside the top four – and he’s confident it can be done again this season.
Jimmy Dymock was the last man to win a Clive Churchill Medal in a grand final team that won the premiership from outside the top four.
It was 29 years ago … and he now says it can happen again.
That a side like the Manly Sea Eagles, where he is an assistant coach, or his old club, the Canterbury Bulldogs, are capable of becoming the first side in the NRL era to do so.
There’s also the benefit, from finishing fifth or sixth, of not having to play the Storm in Melbourne or the Panthers in Penrith in week one of the finals.
In 1995, Dymock was the lock forward in a Bulldogs outfit that knocked off St George 12-8 (week 1), the Broncos 24-10 (week 2), the Raiders 25-6 (week 3) and then raging hot favourites Manly 17-4 in the grand final.
It was one of the most remarkable premiership triumphs in rugby league history.
Not because they won from outside the top four but in that Dymock and three of his teammates spent the finals series in a bitter court case trying to get out of their Canterbury Super League contracts.
We’ll get back to that later.
The point is Dymock says it can happen again, an opinion based on the impressive form of the Manly Sea Eagles and the Canterbury Bulldogs over the last month.
Manly has already beaten the Storm, Panthers and Roosters this year but have yet to play the Sharks.
The Bulldogs have beaten the Roosters and the Sharks but had close losses to Storm and Panthers.
The fact is, on their day, both sides can beat any team, according to Dymock.
“Mate it can happen again, trust me,” Dymock said.
“Everyone’s got it in their heads about you’ve got to be top four but it can be done.
“In ’95 we struggled to make the semis but we hit our straps at the right time.
“We peaked going into the finals. You obviously need a bit of luck and you can’t afford a lot of injuries or suspensions. We got through relatively unscathed.”
Dymock might be working at Manly under Anthony Seibold but he is so happy for what the Dogs have achieved so far under Cameron Ciraldo.
How they’ve climbed from 16th on the ladder to become one of the most feared sides in the comp.
“They’re all about effort and playing for 80 minutes,” he said. “They’re going to be very hard to beat for anyone who plays them in the semis.
“Same with Manly. We’ve got the side. We’ve shown that in the big games. You’ve just got to time your run and anything can be achieved, no matter where you finish.”
In 1995 it was a remarkable late-season turnaround from a side that had internal issues bubbling along all year.
A club almost ripped apart from pay-packet jealousy on the eve of Super League.
“We ended up all going on a harbour cruise for a bit of a bonding session to sort our shit out,” Dymock said.
“Everyone got on the drink and had a good time. It was a couple of weeks before the semis. And from that day we were ready to throw everything we had at the finals.
“We knew we had an opportunity and the side to give it a shake.”
Four players – Dymock, Jarrod McCracken, Jason Smith and Dean Pay were in court just days before their qualifying semi against the Dragons.
“The court case was stressful but nothing could take our minds off playing footy,” Dymock said.
“We were dirty about the Super League war. I thought I got dudded and signed under duress.
“I couldn’t speak to my manager or even my mum.
“But we put all that aside and got on with the job.
“All year Manly was the best side. I think they only lost two games.
“But we were the best side on the day that it mattered. It was amazing.
“And if we could win under those circumstances, who’s to say it won’t happen again this year in a very tight competition.”
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