NSWRL 1985 Premiers
Head Coach Warren Ryan ensured that Canterbury's hunger for further Premiership success stayed well after the 1984 triumph.
His desire for another victory lap rubbed off on the players, who sensed their coach's urgency in his methods.
Secretary Peter Moore explained:
"Jack Gibson was right about the title of his book, Winning Starts on Monday. It also applies to winning a Premiership. It starts with the first preseason training session in October and November. Warren Ryan being so intense ensured that we had a very serious start to the season."
The year - which celebrated the Club's 50th anniversary - was not without its controversies; hooker Mark Bugden was suspended for nine weeks, while the side struggled for results in the early rounds.
Captain Steve Mortimer elevated his reputation further during the State of Origin series, leading New South Wales to their first series victory, before selflessly changing his style of play to suit Ryan's vision.
1985 Grand Final Highlights: Bulldogs vs Dragons
The semi-finals began with a bang for the Bulldogs, claiming a famous victory against Balmain thanks to a runaway try from centre Andrew Farrar in the last minute of extra time.
A disappointing 16-7 defeat to Minor Premiers St George saw the old rivalry against Parramatta reignite once more, with Canterbury executing a dominant 26-nil win over their rivals.
Ryan's tactics proved to be paramount in the Grand Final against the highly fancied Dragons - all the while doing so without talismanic five-eighth Terry Lamb, who was sidelined with injury.
His replacement came in the form of youngster Michael Hagan, who proved he was up to the task after playing 20 matches with aplomb during the season; albeit in the centres. Hagan combined well with Mortimer, provided a study link and backed himself in defence.
The methodical preparation demanded that Canterbury lock up their opponents in their own half, with kicking 'bombs' proving to be the favoured method of keeping their fullback behind the goal posts.
1985 Grand Final Moment: Mortimer Sneaks Down the Sideline
The systematic, ruthless and no-frills football wasn't endorsed by pundits who preferred a free-flowing match, but it was the formula that won Grand Finals - Canterbury's 'wedge' defence kept their opponents scoreless until the 74th minute.
A Peter Mortimer try in the 29th minute and a field goal from Farrar in the 72nd kept a big enough buffer for much of the match, with the one-pointer ultimately being the difference between the two sides.
Halfback Mortimer carried out the plan brilliantly, and while he and Ryan at times throughout the season failed meet eye-to-eye, the architect and the general were on common ground when it mattered most.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 7 (Peter Mortimer try; Andrew Farrar goal; Andrew Farrar field goal) def St George Dragons 6 (Steve Morris; Michael O'Connor goal)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1985 Premiers
| Fullback | 1 | Michael Potter |
| Wing | 2 | Matthew Callinan |
| Centre | 3 | Andrew Farrar |
| Centre | 4 | Chris Mortimer |
| Wing | 5 | Peter Mortimer |
| Five-Eighth | 14 | Michael Hagan |
| Halfback | 7 | Steve Mortimer (c) |
| Lock | 8 | Paul Langmack |
| Second Row | 9 | Steve Folkes |
| Second Row | 10 | Brian Battese |
| Prop | 11 | Peter Kelly |
| Hooker | 12 | Billy Johnstone |
| Prop | 13 | Peter Tunks |
| Interchange | 15 | David Gillespie |
| Interchange | 17 | Mark Bugden |
| Interchange | 16 | Greg Mullane |
| Coach: | Warren Ryan |
Terry Lamb was unavailable due to injury.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 1985 Season Statistics
| Round | Opponent | Score | Venue | Ladder Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 18-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 1st |
| 2 | Bye | - | - | - |
| National Panasonic Cup Game I | Canberra Raiders | 16-6 (W) | Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Wagga | - |
| 3 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 4-24 (L) | Brookvale Oval | 6th |
| 4 | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | 18-18 (D) | Belmore Oval | 8th |
| 5 | Balmain Tigers | 20-18 (W) | Leichhardt Oval | 6th |
| 6 | St George Dragons | 10-10 (D) | Belmore Oval | 6th |
| 7 | Illawarra Steelers | 6-0 (W) | Wollongong Showground | 2nd |
| 8 | Canberra Raiders | 26-2 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| National Panasonic Cup Qualifying Final | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 0-10 (L) | Leichhardt Oval | - |
| 9 | Parramatta Eels | 2-22 (L) | Belmore Oval | 6th |
| 10 | North Sydney Bears | 16-8 (W) | Belmore Oval | 4th |
| 11 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 6-21 (L) | Redfern Oval | 5th |
| 12 | Penrith Panthers | 6-17 (L) | Belmore Oval | 7th |
| 13 | Western Suburbs Magpies | 52-0 (W) | Lidcombe Oval | 5th |
| 14 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 24-16 (W) | Ronson Field | 4th |
| 15 | Bye | - | - | - |
| 16 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 16-12 (W) | SCG | 4th |
| 17 | Eastern Suburbs Roosters | 14-7 (W) | SCG | 4th |
| 18 | Balmain Tigers | 12-18 (L) | Belmore Oval | 4th |
| 19 | St George Dragons | 6-16 (L) | SCG | 4th |
| 20 | Illawarra Steelers | 24-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 4th |
| 21 | Canberra Raiders | 28-16 (W) | Seiffert Oval | 4th |
| 22 | Parramatta Eels | 19-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| 23 | North Sydney Bears | 32-14 (W) | North Sydney Oval | 3rd |
| 24 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 22-4 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| 25 | Penrith Panthers | 20-6 (W) | Penrith Park | 3rd |
| 26 | Western Suburbs Magpies | 34-6 (W) | Belmore Oval | 3rd |
| Major Preliminary Semi Final | Balmain Tigers | 14-8 (W) | SCG | - |
| Major Semi Final | St George Dragons | 6-17 (L) | SCG | - |
| Preliminary Final | Parramatta Eels | 26-0 (W) | SCG | - |
| Grand Final | St George Dragons | 7-6 (W) | SCG | Premiers |
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.