Brisbane Bulldogs

Regions/DistrictsRepresented:

Metropolitan North & South Police Regions

Emblem/Logo:

 The Bulldogs

Colours:

Red, White & Blue

Year Established:

Circa. 1942

Contact Names:

Station:

Phone:

President:

Snr Sgt Bob Knight

Railway Squad

07 3235 1185

Secretary:

Det Sgt Andrew Ayres

Petrie CIB

Treasurer:

Det Sgt Arty Stalley

SCOC

07 3364 6464

Coach:

PCC Grant Boorman

Boondall CIB

07 3286 1366

History:

The Brisbane Police team has been unable to contest all carnivals since the inception of the State Carnival format in 1987.  With such a large number of personnel to draw on within the Brisbane Metropolitan area, one would think Brisbane would dominate these carnivals, yet in reality, they regularly struggle to get the numbers to form a team.  However, of the carnivals that they have attended, the side has been extremely successful winning the title in ‘91, ‘00 & ’01 in devastating style.  Brisbane have always had numerous serving police officers playing regular 1st Grade in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, with most finding it difficult to get time off from their clubs (due to contractual obligations) for the week-long State Carnival, which are usually held in country centres. 

The Qld Police Services’ history in Rugby League sprung from a rivalry between the Qld Police Officers and their NSW counterparts who were based in Brisbane during the 2nd World War, with a number of ‘interstate’ games being played during this time.  During this time, it was clear that their was an abundant amount of talent amongst the Police ranks playing 1st Grade in the Brisbane competition led by Australian international forward and 1948 Kangaroo, Eddie Brosnan (uncle of Wayne and Bob Bennett).  In fact, in 1952 the police were almost granted entry into the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL), as an independent club. The application required a 60-40 majority vote of club delegates which they gained, however, the casting vote of the Referees Association against the proposal, for reasons only known to them, saw the bid fail. 

In the 1960’s, names such as Bob Dallow, Warren Poole, Dennis Black, Gordon Cogill, Charley Malloy, Dave Kinden, Ian Townsley and Bill Turner, were associated with the Police teams that contested the very strong Public Service Competition.  A number of these players had previous experience playing in the Brisbane, Ipswich and Bulimba Cup competitions, which is a good indication of how strong the Public Service Competition was.  During this time, quite a few Qld Police were selected to represent the Qld Public Service against the NSW Public Service on numerous occasions, with crowds of 6000 or more, not uncommon at these games and at finals time. 

The Brisbane sides of the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s had mixed success in the Public Service competition, at one stage fielding two grades, but could only manage mixed results due to the unpredictable nature of police shifts and the transfer system.  The A Grade side made the Grand Final in this competition in 3 consecutive years (1969-70-71) but heartbreakingly lost all three.  There was success however, with a Premiership win to the C Grade team in 1971.  The A Grade side also won the Presidents Cup in 1968, as well as the Patrons Cup and the Coca Cola Cup in 1970 under coach Paul ‘Dinger’ Bell. 

Those years saw a bitter rivalry develop between the Police and the Main Roads team, with matches between the two sides going down in history as some of the toughest played in the competition.  The side failed to field teams from about 1974 until, a resurgence in 1979, when Ron Vincent and Charley Malloy stumbled across the Council team celebrating their victory in that years Public Service competition and after a few drinks the challenge was thrown down to the Police to re-form and once again compete in the competition.  True to their word Ron and Charley re-formed the Brisbane side for the 1980 competition and under coach Wayne Linsell, made the grand final that year unfortunately going down to the Firefighters.  The side continued to play in this competition through the 1980’s until the early ‘90’s. 

In 1991, Peter ‘Rooster’ Ryan and Bob Knight were selected in the Qld Public Service Representative side that played in a tri-State series against the NSW and ACT Public Service’s.  From this series an Australian Public Service side was chosen with both players gaining selection.  The Australian side travelled to Adelaide where they were victorious against a Sth Australian State Rugby League team.  Regrettably, the Qld Public Service competition folded in 1995.     

Carnivals Attended:

1987, 1989, 1990 – 1992, 1995, 2000 to present

Titles Won:

Title:

Year:

State Champions

1991, 2000, 2001 & 2002

Runners Up

Nil

Plate Winners

Nil

Plate Runners Up

2003

Carnivals Hosted:

2002 (Langlands Park)

Players who have attended 10 State Carnivals or more:

Peter Ryan, Bob Knight, Mick Jory, Andrew Ayres & Brian Nugent.

Qld Police Representatives:

Year:

Player/s:

1947

Eddie Brosnan (c), Merv Callaghan, Eddie Otago, Col Cowley, Jack Otago, George Day, Terry Thomsen, Iva Clark, Jack Clark & Frank McNamara

1972

Charlie Melloy (c), Bob Dallow, Kerry Cullinan, Ken von Blankensee, Merv Heisner, Peter Mulcahy, Lester Hughes, Ron Vincent, Mark Johnson, Dick Mattingly, Gary Maroske, Russell Armstrong, Happy Lawrence, Pat Ryan, Kerry La Praik & Pat Lawton.

2000

Bob Knight (c), Murray Croft, Cian Jacobs, Daniel Nikas, Glen Roche, Andrew Ayres & Peter Ryan

2001

Murray Croft (c), Cian Jacobs, Glen Roche, Grant Benson & Steve Madeo

2002

Grant Benson (c), Murray Croft, Cian Jacobs, Steve Madeo, Aaron White, Rhett Tronc, Ross Murray, Wayne Butcher & Mick Neiland

2003

Andrew Ayres (c), Grant Boorman, Ashley Purvey, Cian Jacobs & Wayne Butcher

2004

Andrew Ayres (c), Karl Innes & Ashley Purvey

2005

Grant Boorman, Russell Mundy & Jason Orman

2006

Aust. Police Representatives:

Year:

Player/s:

2000

Cian Jacobs

2001

Cian Jacobs

2003

Grant Boorman, Karl Innes & Brian Nugent

2004

Andrew Ayres & Grant Boorman.

2005

Grant Boorman, Russel Mundy & Jason Orman