Steve Folkes

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Steve Folkes (born January 31, 1959) is a former Australian rugby league test footballer and is currently the coach of the Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League.

Folkes who came from the Bankstown Sports Junior Rugby League Club played 245 first grade games and 308 grade games for the Bulldogs between 1978 and 1991, also 24 games for Hull FC (uk) in 1998-90, and represented New South Wales on nine occasions in State of Origin football. He was a member of the 1986 Kangaroo Tour and played in five Tests between 1986-88. He was an exceptionally hard-working second-row forward; despite playing at only about 85 kilograms (190 pounds), he could beat many much bigger opponents through the number of tackles he was able to make.

After serving as reserve grade coach of the Bulldogs between 1996 and 1997, Folkes was appointed coach of the Bulldogs to succeed Chris Anderson. Despite finishing ninth in his first season, the Bulldogs made the 1998 grand final, where they lost to the Brisbane Broncos.

The Bulldogs appeared poised to claim the 2002 premiership, but were disqualified and stripped 37 premiership points after a major salary cap breach was uncovered. Folkes would claim his premiership two seasons later with a 16-13 defeat of the Sydney Roosters in the grand final.

The 2004 premiership victory continues a unique tradition at the Bulldogs - every coach appointed by the club since 1978 - (Ted Glossop, Warren Ryan, Phil Gould, Chris Anderson and Folkes) - has won a premiership.

Preceded by Chris Anderson 1990-1997

Coach Canterbury Bulldogs 1998-

Succeeded by incumbent