In 1981, he started the season as five-eight due to Garry and Mark Hughes being unavailable but returned to the forwards for the rest of the season.

Steve remained a consistent performer in 1982 and played in the Preliminary Semi-Final against Parramatta in 1983 at lock.

In 1984, Steve captained the team in one match. He captained Canterbury on 16 occasions between 1984 and 1988.

Steve played in the Premiership winning team against Parramatta and in 1985 played in the Premiership winning team against St George.

In 1986, he played for NSW and Australia. He played nine games for NSW between 1986 and 1988. Steve played five Tests for Australia between 1985 and 1988. He played with the 1986 Kangaroos.

Despite suffering a serious groin injury, Steve continued playing to play in the Grand Final against Parramatta.

In 1987, Steve continued in the second row and in 1988, played in the Premiership winning team against Balmain. In 1989, he was the first Canterbury player to achieve 300 Club games. At the end of 1989, Steve joined Hull but returned in 1991 to play in the play off for 5th position against Western Suburbs.

Steve continued with the club as a trainer and was appointed Reserve Grade coach in 1996.

In 1997, he coached the team to win the reserve grade Super League Grand Final against Auckland.

In 1998, Steve was appointed first grade coach and his team made the Grand Final against Brisbane after qualifying 9th.

He has coached the team to finals in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 winning his first premiership as coach in 2004. Folkes is the longest serving first grade coach for Canterbury and only Malcolm Clift has coached more Club games than Steve.

In 2004 Steve was named in the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions in the second row. He is a Life Member of the Football Club.

On April 1 2007, he was inducted into the Bulldogs Ring of Champions.

Folkes will retire at the end of season 2008, his eleventh season at the Club.