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Bulldogs TV sat down with Rugby League Legend and ex Bulldog Bob McCarthy to chat about his time at Canterbury and his memories of Belmore.

 

In the lead up to the Back to Belmore game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Bulldogs TV will sit down with some of the past players of the club to chat about their time at Canterbury and their memories of playing on Belmore Oval.

 

After 13 years with South Sydney, Bob McCarthy moved to Canterbury for the 1976 and 1977 seasons where he played at Second Row and played 40 games for the club helping them to the semi-finals in 1976, with many saying they should have won the 1976 premiership with the side they have.

 

“It was unfortunate we didn’t win in 76 and the following season we had to many injuries,” said McCarthy.

 

Although his time at the club was only short, McCarthy had the luxury of seeing the emergence of the Mortimers and the Hughes boys during these two seasons.

 

‘The Mortimers and the Hughes boys just loved throwing the footy around…the signs were good for Canterbury…they had the talent, they just needed to nurture them through,” said MCarthy.

 

Belmore Oval is full of history including the Peter Moore Scoreboard, the train tracks behind the Northern stand and the fact, it is a suburban ground.

 

Many of the Bulldogs passionate supporters would love to see games played back their one day, but for McCarthy who had the opportunity to play on suburban grounds throughout his career, really believed these grounds were a home ground advantage.

 

“It was unusual sometimes when you stood behind the try-line and the train would stop, fans would yell out at you, but this is what made grounds like Belmore so special,” said McCarthy.

 

For Bob who played for both the Bulldogs and the Bunnies certainly remembers the games between the clubs and on February 9 the two clubs will be at it again in the Back to Belmore trial.

 

“We have always had good clashes…Canterbury have always had good sides…it was unfortunate to see the Dogs end their season like they did last year and we all know what Souths have been able to do over the last two seasons, ”said McCarthy.

 

The Back to Belmore game against South Sydney Rabbitohs is on February 9 and tickets are still available.

Acknowledgement of Country

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs respect and honour the Darug and Eora nations, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.