In a time when money walks and not a lot else talks in the game of rugby league, the return of Bulldogs to the their spiritual home the Belmore Sports Ground reminds me why this game is great.
After a 17-year wait, the blue and white army will be out in droves as the grand old lady gets ready for the return of top flight rugby league.
The game will be a win for the fans. Rugby league returning to one of its greatest suburban venues brings tradition and the tribal soul which the code was built on back to the modern day.
Childhood memories of watching Terry Lamb carve up opposition defences on a Sunday afternoon while consuming what can only be described as a “dodgy” burger on the hill will all come flooding back come Monday night. It will be a great sight when the stadium is full to capacity and the ‘Bulldogs’ chant rings around Belmore one more time.
This is a vital game for the Bulldogs top four aspirations against a Storm side coming off a rare run of losses and looking to maintain pace with the top of the ladder Broncos.
It will be interesting to see David Klemmer against arguably the best prop in the game in the form of Jesse Bromwich. This game really is shaping up as a finals preview.
I will be soaking up the atmosphere as I walk into the grand old lady tonight in what should be a great advertisement for the game of rugby league and the Bulldogs club.
Tom G
Guest
I've been saying for years that the NRL obsession with large stadia is pure lunacy. The fans who are good enough to get to the ground are not bothered with shiny amenities, they are solely interested in supporting their team in a facility with atmosphere. Whilst TV continues to make it so much easier to sit on the lounge there is no better time than now to be realistic about potential crowd sizes and how they appear on the Games largest audience. Not a Dogs fan but totally respect them for the fact that they did this for their supporters.
Louis McIntyre
Roar Guru
Spot on. Manly Oval, Henson Park and Redfern all viable options in Sydney.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Ground chock full,tremendous atmosphere coming through the box.(16,700 plus in attendance).Message loud and clear for the NRL and Fox spread the love . Play Monday night games at venues such as these ,rather than the ANZ and /or country major town/city venues e.g. Dubbo,Wagga,Tamworth,Coffs.
MAX
Guest
Smell the liniment TB. Have a good one...you and the team.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'm going out to Belmore this evening - should be a cracker !
Richo
Guest
That's fantastic, well done NRL. I'd love to see a home game for my team Carlton at the old Princess Park.