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.
1980 Grand Final Moment: Anderson's Thrilling Four-Pointer
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.
1980 Grand Final Moment: Gearin's Try for the Ages
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.
