Club Career
He started the 1974 season in reserve grade and that year debuted in first grade against the South Sydney Rabbitohs when Barry Phillis was injured. He stayed in first grade for that year's finals series including the Bulldogs' Grand Final 1974 loss to the Eastern Suburbs Roosters.
After a 1975 season interrupted by a broken leg injury, for the next five seasons from 1976 he was Canterbury's regular first grade hooker. The Canterbury club maintained a scholarship scheme for its juniors at the time which supported him financially while he conducted his medical studies.
In 1978, George was appointed first grade captain and played in the Preliminary Semi-Final against the Parramatta Eels. He captained Canterbury on 71 occasions between 1978 and 1982. As a hooker he was a consistent winner of possession in those days of contested scrums and was known for his trademark ability to burrow over for tries from the dummy-half position.
He led Canterbury to the 1979 Grand Final loss against St George and the following year was skipper of the Bulldogs in their 18-4 1980 premiership victory over the Roosters. Persistent neck injuries hampered the remainder of Peponis' career and he retired midway through the 1982 season.
Read more about this topic: George Peponis
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