The versatile player enjoyed a distinguished career spanning over a decade, amassing an impressive record of 245 games with the Bulldogs from 1978 to 1991, alongside a stint with Hull in the UK.
Folkes left an indelible mark on the rugby league landscape, featuring prominently in six grand finals during his tenure with the Dogs, securing four premiership victories (1980, 1984, 1985, 1988). His prowess extended to the representative arena, representing New South Wales in three State of Origin series from 1986 to 1988 and earning five caps for Australia.
Transitioning seamlessly into coaching after retiring as a player, Folkes guided the Bulldogs for 11 fruitful years starting in 1998, overseeing 288 matches, including the memorable 2004 premiership triumph. His coaching expertise also found expression beyond rugby league, with notable roles in cricket and assistant coaching positions at Wests Tigers and St George-Illawarra.
Folkes’s commitment to the sport reached new heights when he was appointed head coach of the Australian women’s rugby league team, the Jillaroos, in 2014.
The passing of Bulldogs legend Steve Folkes has sent shockwaves through the rugby league community. Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill paid tribute to Folkes, acknowledging his significant contributions as both a player and coach. Hill emphasized Folkes’s embodiment of the club’s values and his enduring legacy, urging respect for the privacy of Folkes’s family during this challenging period.
