The bonding session that saw 1995 Bulldogs bury the hatchet and make rugby league history

Terry Lamb believes Cameron Ciraldo’s team can achieve what the Bulldogs did 30 years ago. The Canterbury legend opens up on the unforgettable 1995 grand final and the bonding session that made it happen.

On a day of unforgettable memories, emotion and nostalgia, Canterbury legend Terry Lamb has declared Cameron Ciraldo’s Bulldogs can achieve what his 1995 team did 30 years ago.

Lamb, the inspirational captain of the 1995 premiership winning Bulldogs team and one of the game’s greatest five-eighths, has also praised the ability of rookie Canterbury halfback Lachlan Galvin to read the game.

“I spoke to the team earlier this week and what struck me was that he (Galvin) was sitting in the front row and just had his eyes locked in on me,” Lamb said.

“He wasn’t even born when I last played (1996).

“On the field, I can tell the kid is very smart, he can read a game of football.

The Bulldogs celebrate victory after winning the 1995 ARL grand final. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s got his own knack for how to play the game. He probably plays like an old-school footballer, I think he’s a very good player.

“He’s calm too, and nothing worries him.”

Galvin and his Bulldogs teammates will play against Manly at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon to a backdrop of old footage, old stories and old boys.

It’ll mark 30 years since Canterbury’s incredible 17-4 grand final win over the Sea Eagles at the same Moore Park precinct.

Only two Bulldogs players from the 1995 team, Jim Dymock and Dean Pay, are unable to attend the day’s trip down memory lane.

Ironically, Dymock will be in the opposition coaches box as is the Sea Eagles assistant coach to Anthony Seibold, while Pay is busy with his work.

Terry Lamb holds Winfield Cup trophy after defeating Manly in the 1995 grand final.

ETCHED IN HISTORY

Over the 117-year history of rugby league just two sides – the 1993 Broncos and 1995 Bulldogs – have been able to successfully mount a premiership challenge from outside the top four.

The 1995 Bulldogs did it from sixth position on the NRL ladder after the regular season, winning six consecutive matches from round 18 and through three elimination finals against heavyweights St George, Brisbane and Canberra to then overcome short-priced favourites Manly, who had lost only two games all year.

“I’m not going to say we found form, what we did find is ourselves again,” Lamb said.

“The team that we were in 1993 and 1994, the team that was there earlier in the year when we won six out of seven games, and then we just lost everything and we had to get that back together.

“It was about working together (in defence) and trusting each other and that’s what we had at the beginning of the year.

“St George we were able to just beat (12-8) and the rest of the games, Brisbane, (24-10), Canberra (25-6) and Manly, we were able to beat them by good scores.”

SUPER LEAGUE SPLIT

In 1995, with the Super League war looming, the Bulldogs as a club had made the decision to join the breakaway competition.

Four players: Jarrod McCracken, Jim Dymock, Jason Smith and Dean Pay reneged on their Super League contracts to sign with the ARL.

It sparked angst, infighting and division within the 1995 squad.

The Family Club was at internal war.

It can be revealed it was the leadership of Lamb, that changed the course of history over lasagne and spaghetti bolognaise, at Chester Italian Restaurant, Il Tegame.

Referee Eddie Ward sends Sydney Bulldogs captain Terry Lamb to sin bin during 1995 Winfield Cup grand final match against Manly. Rugby League

“Super League came in and some players went back to the ARL competition and signed with them, of course the whole club had signed with Super League at the time,” Lamb said.

“We had some troubles internally about why they signed and how come we didn’t stay together.

“But we had a drink and a feed at a Chester Hill Italian restaurant, then we went across the road to the pub and had a couple of beers and spoke about what we should be doing.

Jarrod McCracken (R) leads Sydney Bulldogs players (L-R) Jason Smith, Jim Dymock & Dean Pay into NSW Industrial Court.

“Instead of fighting each other, I said, ‘We need to be fighting everyone on the field’.

“I told them, ‘It’s okay to sign for another club or choose certain things, but if we know about it, it’s even better.

“That’s what we did. We got together and with Jimmy Dymock, Jarrod McCracken, Dean Pay, Craig Polla-Mounter, we had a great football team.

“Internally we had some troubles halfway through the year, but we got over that and won the comp.”

Daryl Halligan (L) congratulates Steve Price for scoring a try.

PARTY TIME

The grand final was intended to be Lamb’s swan song, before he ultimately decided to return for one final season in 1996.

He rates the ‘95 triumph – and the celebrations – as the most memorable of his three previous titles in 1984, 1985 and 1988.

“It’s number one for me, only because I was captain,” Lamb said.

“In 1984 and 88 when we won, Steve Mortimer and Peter Tunks captained, so I felt like a captain that year and the players played like I was their captain as well.

“I don’t remember the celebrations but I remember waking-up on my front lawn on the Monday after the grand final.

“I think my brother drove me home and pushed me out of the car. I was asleep on the front lawn.”

Sydney Bulldogs chief executive Peter Moore (L) hugs Terry Lamb after victory in the 1995 grand final.

CURRENT DOGS

The unofficial King of the Kennel, Lamb is at Belmore every day in his role as a club ambassador.

He arrives on time every morning, he has his own desk and is ready to help in any way the club needs him.

Yet not surprisingly, most days Lamb will be found wandering towards the training field.

So it’s with conviction that he sees two things in the current side including the similarities to the 1995 team with the way Ciraldo’s side have managed their own off-field contract issues and secondly, their ability to do something special this season.

“I’ve seen it (similarities with the 1995 team) already. Even at training, the way they treat each other,” Lamb said.

Lachlan Galvin (C) has what it takes to win a grand final according to Terry Lamb. Picture: Getty Images

“They make jokes of each other and there’s nothing wrong with that.

“They’re a very close (group), I reckon they can go all the way, so long as they make top-four. I do believe if they keep their form, they could win the comp.

“We missed out on the semis last year to Manly from a scrum move that looked like a Jimmy Dymock scrum move from the old days.

“So I think they could go along way, but we’ve got to make the top four first.

“The way Cameron is coaching them, he’s a great coach. He’s cool, calm, the players are connected together and I think that’s what we need.”

Originally published as The bonding session that saw 1995 Bulldogs bury the hatchet and make rugby league history