That's all Folkes - Bulldogs coach drops bombshell

It was done as possibly only Steve Folkes could do it. After calling a team meeting early yesterday afternoon, he began by poring over minute details of the side's most recent loss to the Sydney Roosters … then ended it by announcing he was quitting the club.

"It was probably just a surprise how he did it," Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan said.

"He did a bit of a review of the game, and then at the end of the session, he just dropped it on all of us.

"We were talking about footy, then he just said, 'There's one more thing …"'

And so, the day became That's all, Folkes. Today, it's Different Strokes for Different Folkes, and where to now for the 11-season coaching veteran?

He has told those close to him that Super League is a definite possibility. He played with Hull FC, who are likely to part ways with Peter Sharp at the end of the season. There is also likely to be a vacancy at Catalans, with Mick Potter likely to link with St Helens - although coincidentally Potter is also among candidates for the Bulldogs.

It is also expected that Wigan will not renew Brian Noble's contract, meaning one of the most powerful clubs in the world will be on the lookout for a coach.

Folkes became the fifth coach to either quit or be told to move on next season, at a time when debate has been intense about the impact that type of decision has on players.

The Broncos responded to Wayne Bennett's decision to quit with three successive wins to start the season, while at the other end, the Cowboys lost their first three games after the club decided not to renew Graham Murray's contract. In between, Canberra and St George Illawarra have played only once since their respective coaching upheavals, and each tasted defeat. Still, Ryan said the Bulldogs would not be derailed.

"It's going to be fine, from the playing group's point of view," he said. "With 'Folkesy' being involved for so long, there are no thoughts in our mind that his mind would be somewhere else."

But as you would expect from a Bulldogs side coached by Folkes, there will be no "do it for Folkesy" trumpets blaring out between now and the end of the season.

"He couldn't think of anything worse than that," Ryan said. "It's not about trying to do it for 'Folkesy'. We've always had a goal to try and win the premiership. Regardless of what's happening next year, we'll try and continue towards that goal."

Ryan said Folkes's dignified exit would be a "good thing for him". "He's been involved with the club for over 30 years, and to go out on his terms was great," he said.

In that time, Folkes played 245 first-grade games for the club and has been in the coach's box for another 268, but needed only 126 words in a statement to describe his decision to walk away.

"I have been giving the matter plenty of thought in recent weeks, and I feel the decision is the right one and not only for me but for the club as well," Folkes said. "My decision will end the speculation that's been rife for the past few months about my future and will enable me and the players to get on with the job of winning football matches and being in contention at the business end of the season."

Of his future as a coach, he said: "I reckon I still have another 10 years ahead of me as a coach, and this decision will enable me to reinvent myself once my obligations with the Bulldogs finish."

The Sydney Morning Herald later asked Folkes to elaborate on his decision; his reaction, like his speech to his players just after 2pm yesterday, was pure Folkes. "Nah, mate, I've said all I want to in the statement."

Yibbida yibbida.

THE STEVE FOLKES FILE

Born January 31, 1959.

1978
First-grade debut for Dogs. Fearless back-rower, plays 245 first-grade games.

1991
Retires after earning reputation as one of the toughest players of his era, particularly in defence. Plays for English club Hull in 1989-90. Origin and Test debuts in 1986 - nine NSW appearances and five Tests.

1996
Takes charge of Bulldogs reserve-grade side and following year has his first title as coach, the Super League reserve-grade final.

1998
Made head coach and guides Dogs to grand final after some miraculous comeback victories in finals series. Loses to Brisbane in decider.

2002
Bulldogs seem certain to claim title when their salary cap rort is exposed, and the team is stripped of all 37 points and disqualified from the finals.

2004
Folkes wins maiden premiership after a turbulent year that began with gang rape accusations against six Bulldogs. The 16-13 grand final win continues an astounding run: all Dogs coaches appointed since 1978 (Ted Glossop, Warren Ryan, Phil Gould, Chris Anderson and Folkes) have won premierships. Folkes named Dally M coach of the year.

2008
April 7, Folkes announces he will leave the club at end of season, ending longest reign by a coach in the club's 73 years.

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