NSWRFL 1980 Premiers /

After falling short in the 1979 decider, 'The Entertainers' looked to go one better against the odds to break a 38-year Premiership drought. 

Lack of size in the forwards was of little consequence for Head Coach Ted Glossop, with creativity, mobility and skill across the team shining through. 

The first concerns of not having Belmore Sports Ground for the first three months of the year due to grandstand construction was perhaps more than just psychological.

Players had to change in nearby Belmore Bowling Club while Glossop and his selectors met in a caravan at the Belmore Sports Ground on Tuesday nights to select the team. 

According to the 1980 Annual Report; The construction caused chaos to training for half a season. The lighting was poor. There was no parking. The dressing rooms were a real problem - there weren't any.

Canterbury's early season form in 1980 was hardly that of a Grand Final winner; they suffered three of their worst defeats in that early period while their training habits were disrupted.

This came in the form of a 35-9 thrashing at the hands of Cronulla, before losses to Easts (20-5) and Wests (24-8). For all their flair and creativity, the side only scored more than 30 points in a match once, in Round 1 against Newtown (38-17).

The Bulldogs clawed their way to the equal top of the table with Easts - pipped on for and against for the Minor Premiership - but it was their creativity and flair that overflowed in one of the great finals campaigns. 

They began with a 22-17 win over Wests (the scoreline far from reflecting the convincing performance), before a 13-7 win over the Roosters that sent the Bulldogs into the decider.

Despite their opponents' dominant 41-5 thrashing of the Magpies, it failed to dampen any confidence for Ted Glossop's side. 

In fact, Canterbury's 18-4 victory on Grand Final day proved to be one of the most methodical victories in history. 

The smothering and tight defence paved the way for speedsters Chris Anderson and Steve Gearin to score the side's two tries. 

The occasion also marked the first day the Club won two Grand Finals on the same day, with the reserves taking home the title as well. 

Glossop recalled his feelings after watching the victory from the sideline.

"I remember thinking, as I watched the players close to halftime, just how well they were handling Easts. In the dressing room, they felt comfortable. To be honest, I knew then that we had this match won.

It might not have shown on the scoreboard, and I didn't let myself believe it until a few minutes from the end, but the players just seemed to have it under control.

Ted Glossop Head Coach

"At halftime I asked George [Peponis] how things were in the rucks. He said, 'Okay, no problems,' in his usual way. The same with [Steve] Mortimer. They gave me the impression the job was virtually over."

As Canterbury dominated the match territorially in the second half, Gearin kicked three penalties to take the Bulldogs to a 13-4 lead. Each time Easts looked to break away, Mortimer was there to cut them down with a textbook cover tackle. 

But the moment that will live on for as long as time itself is Gearin's famous four-pointer in the dying stage of the match.

Inside his own half, Graeme Hughes took a pass and stepped left looking for a gap. Greg Brentnall loomed up, putting up a high ball in the air towards the try line.

Gearin, who had moved infield, sprinted desperately, never taking his eyes off the ball, and in front of two despairing Easts defenders, caught the ball on the full and plunged over. 

One of the great Grand Final tries proved to also be an emotional moment as the truth came home - Canterbury-Bankstown had claimed victory, and their final act of scoring was as creative and spontaneous as expected. 

Glossop recalled: "The players said before the game they would not give the ball to Easts if they had anything to say about it. The only way Easts would get the ball off them was if they won a scrum. They were that determined.

"But in the end, even though they were in front 13-4, they were still prepared to move the ball; Brentnall still wanted to kick it, trying something that might come off. 

"That's what it is all about. This team got a buzz out of doing something that little bit different. They enjoyed what they did." 

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18 (Chris Anderson, Steve Gearin tries; Steve Gearin 6 goals) def Eastern Suburbs Roosters 4 (Ken Wright 2 goals)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1980 Premiers

Stan Cutler was unavailable due to injury. 

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1980 Season Statistics