By Mick Roberts

15 February 2012 - The Torch

BELMORE'S return from the wilderness as a venue for first class rugby league has been heralded a success, with 12,000 spectators filling the redeveloped ground on Sunday.

Although the Bulldogs were convincingly defeated by the Sydney Roosters 28-16 in the Belmore Sports Ground NRL trial game, Canterbury Bankstown CEO Todd Greenberg said the game had been a win for the community.

Greenberg has revealed plans by the club to play "one or two" Bulldogs' home games at Belmore during the NRL season, within the next five years.

"Bringing back first class sport to this beautiful old ground is our main priority," Greenberg said.

"The Bulldogs have a vision, with the help of government, to bring the facilities up to NRL standard within five years."