The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have been one of the most decorated teams in rugby league.
They have had some plenty of success, winning eight premierships.
Today I will continue my series by naming the best Bulldogs team ever.
1. Les Johns
14 caps for Australia, 16 for NSW
One of the greats from the 60s, Johns was the Bulldogs’ first ever superstar, his high football IQ and ability to pop up out of nowhere and his great defence made him Bulldogs best ever number 1.
His selection at fullback in the 1960s team of the century over Graeme Langlands shows how good he was. He was the first inductee in the Bulldogs Hall of Fame as well.
2. Hazem El Masri
1 cap for Australia, 1 for NSW, NRL All-Time Leading Point Scorer
Hazem may have been pretty short and not really fast for a winger, but that didn’t stop him from being NRL All Time top pointscorer.
It even sounds more phenomenal when you consider that he started goal kicking in his fourth year. He possessed a remarkable ability to finish tries, and was great at reading defences and shutting down attacking raids.
However, he will always be remembered for his goalkicking, where almost every Bulldogs try would turn from 4 points into 6.
3. Josh Morris
4 caps for Australia, 9 caps for NSW, 2x time centre of the year
Josh Morris earns a spot on this team due to his blistering speed, which made him the league’s best try scorers.
His greatest strength, however, is his amazing defensive capability. His large frame has made him a rock in defence and has been the main culprit keeping Greg Inglis very quiet in multiple origins.
4. Nigel Vagana
37 caps for NZ, 2x centre of the year
Vagana played for numerous teams but he was at his best when he was with the Bulldogs, where in one game he scored 5 tries.
Vagana was a very strong centre and had one of the most scintillating steps in the game. His 37 caps for New Zealand show his consistency over a long period of time.
5. Chris Anderson
12 caps for Australia, 4 NSW
Perhaps best known as premiership-winning coach, Chris Anderson was a mainstay on the Bulldogs wing for over 200 games, he was a jack of all trades player who was super reliable and consistent.
6. Terry Lamb
8 caps for Australia, 7 caps for NSW, 7 x Five-Eighth of the year, Rothmans Medal Winner, Dally M Medal winner
Terry Lamb was one of the greatest five-eighths to ever play the game, his strong desire, powerful will, toughness and unmatched competitiveness made him one of the most successful players in recent memory. He had great creativity and a high football IQ.
Having one of the best supporting games ever made him the league’s leading try scorer for multiple seasons, which is quite rare for a five-eighth.
7. Steve Mortimer
9 caps for Australia, 9 for NSW, captained NSW to their first State of Origin win
Mortimer was one of the most inspirational leaders and captains the game has ever seen. His was calm under pressure and could control a game with kicking game and great footy brain.
Mortimer was also very strong in defence. His famous cover tackles which saved countless tries, helped Mortimer to make the ‘Magnificent 7’ – the top seven halfbacks in the television era.
8. Steve Price
16 caps Australia, 28 caps Queensland, RLW Player of the year, Prop of the year
Price was a part of the 1995 grand final-winning team which beat Manly. He was very young but stood up the Manly pack which showed the type of player he was.
9. Dr George Peponis
8 caps for Australia
A smart hooker who had the distinct accolade of being a qualified doctor, Peponis would go on to captain his country. He had knack of scoring from dummy half and was are excellent defender.
10. James Graham
23 caps for England, 5 for Great Britain, Man of Steel, RLIF Prop of year, Prop of the year
The British Bulldog is one of the greatest English players to play in the NRL. His toughness and superb ball skills for a prop has made him of the best big man in the game. However Graham’s greatest asset is his will to win, which seems to descend upon his teammates.
11. David Gillespie
19 Australia caps, 15 for NSW
Known for his hard-hitting ability, he was able to shore up defences and smash the defensive line. He was one of the main reasons why the ‘Dogs of War’ moniker came about.
12. Andrew Ryan
11 caps Australia, 12 for NSW
Ryan probably had one of the greatest debuts as captain by winning the 2004 premiership, replacing the injured Steve Price.
13. Sonny Bill Williams
12 caps for NZ, RLIF player of the year
Despite how many Bulldogs fans may disagree due to the way he left the Dogs, there is no doubt in my mind he is the most talented and physically gifted player to wear the Bulldogs jersey.
Ball skills of half, almost unstoppable to tackle when running at full speed, incredible offloading ability, Williams had it all. It’s a shame he went to rugby as he could have been one of the greats in rugby league history.
Bench
Ben Barba, Willie Mason, Mark O’Meley, Peter Tunks
Lyrebird
Guest
Geoff Robinson - how the crowd used to roar every time he got the ball, charging like a wild man with his hair streaming and socks around his ankles. Ewan McGrady - a gap-toothed wizard! Not saying they should be in the team necessarily, I just like writing their names and remembering them.
The Boss
Roar Guru
Thanks for the feedback
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yep - I watched an origin DVD recently and he was very good. I think I may have under rated him during his career.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Cheers. Interesting and brave set of articles by the way. Always a difficult task and no one will ever agree but your selections seem well reasoned and thought through.
Johnno
Guest
Dogs fun and characters,retro side: 1)Rod Silva 2)Daryl Halligan/Jason Williams 3)Tony Currie 4)Sandy Campbell 5)Glen Nissen 6)Reni Matua 7)Ewan Mcgrady 13)Paul Langmack 12)Bruce Mguire 11) Willie Mason 10)Peter Kelly 9)Joe Thomas/Jim Serdaris/Sean Skelton lol 8)Bruce Mcguire Bench: Mark Brokenshire/Gavin Hill/Soloman Haumaono/Micheal Hagan
Big Troy
Guest
Morris and Vagnaga are best centers I think Asotasi should be there.
jamesb
Guest
The Boss Love your series of articles mate. Keep 'em coming.
jamesb
Guest
And Brad Mackay.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
He had one year and yet you ignore guys that won multiple premierships for the club. The club did have success before 2004
Johnno
Guest
Luke B, Ennis has played Origin, he's a good leader and tough guy. You have to have a back up hooker. Polla-Mounter I did consider, as Polly can play half-back of course, but Ennis is a better Halfback than what Polly was hooker.
Big j
Guest
Josh Morris the greatest face kicker and cheat in the game of of course how can you forget him
Luke B
Guest
Jarrod McCracken is no where as good as Josh Morris, who is great defensively as week he has kept Inglis quiet in many Origins and is much faster and stronger also Ennis come on man. Also Gary Belcher deserves a spot in the Raiders team
Johnno
Guest
So this writer "The Boss" let's see he did Canberra last week, I'm gonna have a showdown match, from last week team and this week, doing my best teams. Dogs: 1)Les Johns 2)Brett Dallas 3)Andrew Farrer 4)Jarred Mcracken 5)Chris Anderson 6)Terry Lamb(c)-goalkicker 7)Turvey 13)SBW 12)Jason Smith 11) Willie Mason 10)Cement 9)Peponis 8)James Graham Bench: Jonathan Davies/Dean Pay/Peter Tunks/Mick Ennis PS: Laugh as much as you want about Mick Ennis getting a spot, but facts are facts. You gotta have a back up hooker if your rake gets injured. Ennis also played plenty of 1st grade at half-back,and could slot into halfback if he had to. so can cover that spot,and is hardy enough to be in the back row if needed. And Davies can cover fullback/centre/five-eighth, all to a good standard. Great side. Peter Tunks was far better than many give credit for,maybe blocker Roach and cement the only props better in his era. He was player of the 85 series vs NZ, almost made the 78 roo tour age 20, and only missed the 86 roo tour and 1988 world cup for business reasons, as the game was semi pro back then. Great side. My Raiders: 1)Mullins 2)Nadruku 3)Big Mal 4)Peter Jackson 5)Lesley Vainikolo 6)Daley 7)Stuart 13)Clyde 12)David Furner 11)Josh Papali 10)Lazzo 9)Boxhead 8)Wiki Bench:Terry Campese/Jason Croker/Brent Todd/Alan Tongue Unlucky: Nagas PS: Terry campese has half-back/5-8/lock covered, and Alan Tongue could play hooker well, as well as back row, only reason he got picked in best ever raiders side-utility value. But he played hard,a good leader, gave it his all was underrated anyway Close game, Dogs by 2, a tad better in forwards,Raiders better back line. What a close game. Andrew Farrer/Jarrod Mcracken were defensive centre specialists e.g. like Beau Scott, so they will be able to modify whatever Big Mal/Peter Jackson throw at them.
Tiger
Guest
Good team..Lamb also would be in Australia XVII for cheap shot merchants..Ellery Hanlely and Tooves are names that spring to mind..
The Boss
Roar Guru
One absolutely amazing season does indeed get you in this team as a utility of the bench. Barba won the Dally M led the NRL in try's, line breaks, tackle busts. You have to ignore what he done off the field, can you name a Bulldogs player who had a better year then he did? His 2011 season was great as well.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Paul Langmack is very under rated. Debuted at 17 as a forward in a very tough era. Could hit hard and was a good ball player. Won three premierships. Played in an era of great locks. Wayne Pearce, Ray Price, Brad Clyde, Bob Lindner, Paul Vautin.
Gareth
Guest
Ben Barba? Are you kidding? One good season doesn't get anyone onto any best of list.
The Boss
Roar Guru
Yeah I based it on how they preformed at the club. Thurston was primarly a bench player at the Bulldogs therefore he didn't make the term. If a player has an extraordinary season like Barba in 2012 which was one of the greatest seasons by a Bulldogs player,(won the Dally M Medal), gets him a spot on the bench as a utility.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah Sherwin and Polla-mounter over Trindall
HarryT
Guest
Big Willie was in his prime at the Bulldogs, Halligan is the best kicker we've had and Jim Dymock was the best we had in the early 90s.