The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs were yesterday extremely saddened to hear the news of the passing of Steve Folkes.
Folkes was a Bulldogs hero, both as a player and a coach, being part of 4 Grand final winning sides as a player, and a Premiership winning coach in 2004.
He also had an outstanding representative career, playing in 9 State of Origin matches for New South Wales, in addition to 5 Test matches for Australia that included being part of the undefeated 1986 Kangaroo touring team.
In more recent times he was coach of the Australian Women’s team in 2014.
Bulldogs Chief Executive Andrew Hill summed up Steve’s legacy to the club:
"The club is shocked and saddened at the news of the passing of Bulldogs legend Steve Folkes. Steve played such a major part in the history of the Bulldogs, both as a player and coach, and was without doubt one of the giants of the club.
Steve symbolised everything that the Bulldogs stand for and was respected throughout the game for his toughness and determination. He never took a backward step and was loved by the fans for his courage and commitment to the club.
His legacy as a Bulldog and what he did for the club will never be forgotten and our hearts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
STEVE FOLKES
Born: January 30, 1959, Sydney, NSW
CAREER OVERVIEW
Games Trs Gls F/G Pts
CLUB CAREER 1978-91
Canterbury-Bankstown 1978-89, 1991
Premiership Games 1978-89, 1991 245 46 - - 163
Hull FC 1989-90
First Class games 1989-90 24
REPRESENTATIVE CAREER 1984, 1986-88
CITY-COUNTRY 1984, 1986-88
City Seconds 1984 1 - - - 0
City Firsts 1986-87 2 - - - 0
City Origin 1988 1 - - - 0
Total 4 - - - 0
NEW SOUTH WALES 1986-88
State of Origin 1986-88 9 - - - 0
AUSTRALIA 1986, 1988
Tests 1986, 1988 5 2 - - 8
Tour matches 1986 5 - - - 0
Total 10 2 - - 8
First class matches 292 48 - - 171
Folkes played junior football with Bankstown Sports
He made his first grade debut for Canterbury v South Sydney at Redfern Oval, 9/7/1978 (Rd 16)
He played in four grand final-winning teams for the Bulldogs (1980, 1984, 1985 and 1988)
Folkes was a member of the undefeated 1986 Kangaroo touring team
He coached the Bulldogs from 1988-2008 and steered the club to its last premiership title in 2004
His coaching record with Canterbury was: 288 games, 162 wins, 119 losses, 7 draws. Winning percentage 56.3%
He coached the Australian Women’s team in 2014
You can leave any messages of support for Steve's family here.
