By Kirsty Jagger

17 August 2011 - The Torch

THE Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are preparing for a homecoming. A trial game at Belmore Sports Ground next year is on the cards as the club's new state-of-the-art training and administration facility nears completion.

The Bulldogs have earmarked the club's second scheduled trial next year, against the Sydney Roosters on February 11, as the date for the proposed members only trial match, forming the centrepiece of a five-game extravaganza, featuring every grade from Harold Matthews Cup through to the NRL.

Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg and Federal MP for Watson, Tony Burke, were joined by hooker Michael Ennis and club great Terry Lamb to inspect the progress of the redevelopment last week.

Mr Greenberg said the proposed trial match would symbolise the Bulldogs' return to their "spiritual home", which may, down the track, mean the playing of competition NRL fixtures back at Belmore.

"I'm not suggesting we're going to move all of our games, but we are hoping in time that we can play a couple of games a year here," Mr Greenberg said. "That's a real and genuine propsal. It can't happen at the moment, but you've got to have a vision."

Mr Burke recalled being "a kid" when the final Bulldogs game was held at Belmore.

"There was a great deal of disappointment when the Bulldogs stopped basing themselves in the local area, back in 1998," Mr Burke said.

"After viewing the progress of the upgrade, it's great to see that we are moving even closer to bringing Canterbury-Bankstown's favourite sporting team home."

The redvelopment of Belmore Sports Ground is a $8.5 million project, with Federal Government funding accounting for almost $5 million, thanks to the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.