1981 1982 1983 1986 
Post by Electric Eel on May 16, 2020 13:45:38 GMT 10
1985 Preliminary Final: Canterbury 26 d Parramatta 0
By Peter Frilingos
Big League Magazine
September 29, 1985
Canterbury's dedication to defensive perfection laid the foundation for last Sunday's 26-0 whitewash of Parramatta in the Winfield Cup final.
From the opening whistle the Bulldogs gave the Eels no peace and relentlessly drove them backwards with the type of tackling Parramatta patented during their three successive premierships between 1981 and 1983.
Although they led only 4-0 at halftime through a charging Peter Tunks try from dummy-half, the writing was on the wall for Parramatta.
Losing star centre Steve Ella early in the first half with a crippling hip injury didn't help Parramatta's cause, nor did a rib injury to champion pivot Brett Kenny.
But it must be said that Canterbury went into the game without their top five-eighth in Terry Lamb and they also suffered a setback when Tunks left the field after only 16 minutes.
The Bulldogs, clearly stung by the criticism heaped on them after going down to Saints 17-6 in the major semi-final, had the game safely in their keeping after only five minutes of the second half.
Skipper Steve Mortimer put up a bomb which was fumbled by David Liddiard and rookie winger Matthew Callinan scored the first of his two tries.
Only four minutes later it was that Mortimer man again who did the damage when he cleaved the Parramatta defence wide open from near halfway to send replacement forward David Gillespie charging over for a try.
With the score at 14-0, the Eels were on the ropes and wide open for the knockout blow and sure enough it came with 20 minutes left for play.
Second-rower Steve Folkes bolted away from dummy-half and sent a long pass inside to the ever-present Paul Langmack who made ground before picking up Chris Mortimer.
When caught near the line, Mortimer sent a short pass to hooker Billy Johnstone who dashed over under the posts.
That try should have completed the rout but Callinan, having a dream first grade debut, scampered down the left wing and beat a desperation tackle from Ray Price to score in the corner.
Canterbury's domination of the forward contest set up the victory, a fact that wasn't lost on skipper Mortimer.
"The forwards laid the foundation and the backs took advantage of their hard work," Mortimer said.
"I was proud of the character and dedication shown by every player and while I'm still frightened of Saints following their top showing against us in the major semi, I'm confident we can win the grand final."
David Gillespie made the most of his return to first grade after being dropped.
Along with Brian Battese and Peter Kelly, Gillespie threatened to break the Parramatta line almost every time he charged on to the ball.
Fullback Mick Potter, in the doldrums for most of the season, bounced back to the form that made him the find of last season.
Potter had no trouble picking off Peter Sterling's long kicks in general play and invariably broke tackles with powerful bursts from the backfield.
On that form Potter will cause Saints plenty of trouble in the grand final.
Canterbury centres Chris Mortimer and Andrew Farrar didn't give Mick Cronin a moment's peace by swarming all over him the moment he got the ball.
Michael Hagan's defensive game was easily his best of the season and there's little doubt he will get a run in the grand final at some stage, even if Terry Lamb is fit to play.
It was a sad end to the season for Parramatta who threatened to emulate Canterbury's 1979 feat of making the grand final from the bottom end of the top five.
Coach John Monie, although disappointed, said his team always had the job ahead by qualifying in fourth position.
"We lost one game too many during the premiership and we finally paid for it," Monie said.
Just the same, Monie had a great season. He lifted the Eels into the top three early in the year when six of his leading players were in England, a feat many thought to be impossible.
By Peter Frilingos
Big League Magazine
September 29, 1985
Canterbury's dedication to defensive perfection laid the foundation for last Sunday's 26-0 whitewash of Parramatta in the Winfield Cup final.
From the opening whistle the Bulldogs gave the Eels no peace and relentlessly drove them backwards with the type of tackling Parramatta patented during their three successive premierships between 1981 and 1983.
Although they led only 4-0 at halftime through a charging Peter Tunks try from dummy-half, the writing was on the wall for Parramatta.
Losing star centre Steve Ella early in the first half with a crippling hip injury didn't help Parramatta's cause, nor did a rib injury to champion pivot Brett Kenny.
But it must be said that Canterbury went into the game without their top five-eighth in Terry Lamb and they also suffered a setback when Tunks left the field after only 16 minutes.
The Bulldogs, clearly stung by the criticism heaped on them after going down to Saints 17-6 in the major semi-final, had the game safely in their keeping after only five minutes of the second half.
Skipper Steve Mortimer put up a bomb which was fumbled by David Liddiard and rookie winger Matthew Callinan scored the first of his two tries.
Only four minutes later it was that Mortimer man again who did the damage when he cleaved the Parramatta defence wide open from near halfway to send replacement forward David Gillespie charging over for a try.
With the score at 14-0, the Eels were on the ropes and wide open for the knockout blow and sure enough it came with 20 minutes left for play.
Second-rower Steve Folkes bolted away from dummy-half and sent a long pass inside to the ever-present Paul Langmack who made ground before picking up Chris Mortimer.
When caught near the line, Mortimer sent a short pass to hooker Billy Johnstone who dashed over under the posts.
That try should have completed the rout but Callinan, having a dream first grade debut, scampered down the left wing and beat a desperation tackle from Ray Price to score in the corner.
Canterbury's domination of the forward contest set up the victory, a fact that wasn't lost on skipper Mortimer.
"The forwards laid the foundation and the backs took advantage of their hard work," Mortimer said.
"I was proud of the character and dedication shown by every player and while I'm still frightened of Saints following their top showing against us in the major semi, I'm confident we can win the grand final."
David Gillespie made the most of his return to first grade after being dropped.
Along with Brian Battese and Peter Kelly, Gillespie threatened to break the Parramatta line almost every time he charged on to the ball.
Fullback Mick Potter, in the doldrums for most of the season, bounced back to the form that made him the find of last season.
Potter had no trouble picking off Peter Sterling's long kicks in general play and invariably broke tackles with powerful bursts from the backfield.
On that form Potter will cause Saints plenty of trouble in the grand final.
Canterbury centres Chris Mortimer and Andrew Farrar didn't give Mick Cronin a moment's peace by swarming all over him the moment he got the ball.
Michael Hagan's defensive game was easily his best of the season and there's little doubt he will get a run in the grand final at some stage, even if Terry Lamb is fit to play.
It was a sad end to the season for Parramatta who threatened to emulate Canterbury's 1979 feat of making the grand final from the bottom end of the top five.
Coach John Monie, although disappointed, said his team always had the job ahead by qualifying in fourth position.
"We lost one game too many during the premiership and we finally paid for it," Monie said.
Just the same, Monie had a great season. He lifted the Eels into the top three early in the year when six of his leading players were in England, a feat many thought to be impossible.
