Bulldogs History Database
Steven Folkes
| Player # | 432 |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Folkesy |
| Position | Second Row, Lock, Hooker, Five Eighth |
| Height | 178cm |
| Weight | 85kg |
| DOB | 31st Jan 1959 |
| Origin | Sydney, NSW |
| Junior Club | Bankstown Sports |
| Debut | 1978: Round 16 vs South Sydney |
| Rep | NSW(9), Aus(5) |
Steven Folkes joined Canterbury in 1977 as a half back.
He became a regular member of the Under 23 team and played in the play offs. In 1978, Steven started the season in the Under 23s but became a regular member of the reserve grade team as a lock forward.
He scored four tries in a game against Easts (Roosters) which remains a record for reserve grade. Steven received the opportunity to play first grade as a replacement.
In 1979, he became a regular member of the first grade team and played in the Grand Final against St George. In 1980, Steven moved to the second row and played in the Premiership winning team against Easts (Roosters).
In 1981, he started the season as five eighth due to Garry and Mark Hughes being unavailable but returned to the forwards for the rest of the season.
Steven remained a consistent performer in 1982 and played in the Preliminary Semi-Final against Parramatta in 1983 at lock.
In 1984, Steven captained the team in one match. He captained Canterbury on 16 occasions between 1984 and 1988.
Steven played in the Premiership winning team against Parramatta and in 1985 played in the Premiership winning team against St George.
On 15th December 1985, Steve was awarded Life Membership of the Football Club.
In 1986, he played for NSW and Australia. He played nine games for NSW between 1986 and 1988. Steven played five Tests for Australia between 1985 and 1988. He played with the 1986 Kangaroos.
Despite suffering a serious groin injury, Steven continued playing to play in the Grand Final against Parramatta.
In 1987, Steven continued in the second row and in 1988, played in the Premiership winning team against Balmain. In 1989, he was the first Canterbury player to achieve 300 Club games. At the end of 1989, Steven joined Hull but returned in 1991 to play in the play off for 5th position against Western Suburbs.
Steven continued with the club as a trainer and was appointed Reserve Grade coach in 1996.
In 1997, he coached the team to win the reserve grade Super League Grand Final against Auckland.
In 1998, Steven was appointed first grade coach and his team made the Grand Final against Brisbane after qualifying 9th.
He has coached the team to finals in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 winning his first premiership as coach in 2004.
In 2004 Steven was named in the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions in the second row.
On April 1 2007, he was inducted into the Bulldogs Ring of Champions.
Steven retired at the end of season 2008, his eleventh season at the club, being the longest serving first grade coach at the club.
Steven Folkes passed away on the 27th February 2018, aged 59.
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