A host of former Bulldogs greats were on hand at Canterbury League Club last Friday at the 2024 Ambassador’s Club Grand Final Luncheon, reminiscing on past glories and reconnecting with one another.
The stories and beers flowed throughout the afternoon, as members of the 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014 Grand Final teams came together for the function, with guest speakers including 2014 Captain James Graham, 2004 Captain Steve Price, 1974 Coach Malcolm Clift, 1995 Clive Churchill Medallist Jim Dymock and 2004 stand-in Captain, Andrew Ryan.
Current Coach and Captain Cameron Ciraldo and Stephen Crichton also took the stage to talk in length about the 2024 season as well as preparations ahead of the Club's 90th year.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador's Club provided flights and accommodation for former players living either interstate or internationally, while two of the Club's brightest up and comers, Ratu Rinakama and Leilani Kavapalu, were provided with $2500 scholarships.
Five signed jerseys representing each Grand Final team were also auctioned off, with the proceeds going to important funds raised for the Bulldogs Foundation.
Former Captain and Bulldogs Hall of Famer Terry Lamb was front and centre at the event and had plenty of catching up to do as a proud member and key figure of the 1984 title-winning side.
The man affectionately known as 'Baa' reminisced on his first year at the Club, which kick-started a further two Premierships that decade in 1985 and 1988.
“When you get involved in Grand Finals, those people become your best friends," Lamb said.
“Warren Ryan was the new coach in ‘84, and I really wanted to win a Grand Final, so I came to Canterbury to do that and it happened that year. We trained well, we communicated very well on the field and off the field, which was really important.”
“I had offers to go elsewhere afterwards, and I was happy to sign on for what I was on. Bullfrog [Former CEO Peter Moore] offered me more money than what other clubs were offering, but I didn’t want it. I wanted to win Grand Finals and to be with my mates, nothing else.”
Lamb was one of over 500 guests at the Canterbury League Club, for what was yet another successful Ambassador's Club event, bringing together some of the Club's finest players to reconnect while celebrating the Bulldogs of the future.
"It was a great afternoon catching up with my old teammates and seeing some of the different generations of Bulldogs," Lamb added.
"I was lucky enough to be involved in a number of Grand Final victories, and when you win a comp, those teammates become best friends for life.
"Those friendships are still going since 1984. You go to their weddings, you build families together, and that becomes a really important part of your life."
