Bulldog Team of the Century 2000-2100: Nominations Open:

[bulldogtragic]

I thought I'd start a thread for our great grand kids on the basis that WOOF and the internet don't become irrelevant by year 2100.

Over the next 87 years we shall nominate players we think should be in the squad.

- My only rule is 100 games as a minimum. (* Note they need to be played from 2000 onwards)
- Best and Fairests are not automatic entry, although 2 wins or more are.
- A Brownlow is automatic selection into the squad, but not the final team.
- Players who leave for another club can be nominated (see the previous team of the century).
- Players inducted into previous team must have played 100 games after 2000.
- The amount of players named on the interchange shall be six (6), or more if the level has risen as at year 2100.
- Any "subs" or similar shall be included into the interchange bench of six (6).
- There shall be no "emergency" list.
- There shall be only one (1) Senior Coach Listed.

This thread will be around in 87 years so please... To make a nomination, please select your player, the position you want AND a fall back position (ie Full Forward, or Forward Pocket or Onball, or Half Back Flank. (* especially if someone plays 'centre' or 'rover')

Please Read Carefully before contributing:

Please be serious, no stupid nominations, please give a detailed reason as to why (this should be no less than 100 words) it should include a bio of games, goals, relevant averages, positions played, leadership roles and an opinion piece on how they played and what they contributed to the Western Bulldogs Football Club and why they should be immortalised over others.

* The following post (post 2 in this thread) shall be updated while I'm alive with the squad.
* Every decade ending, starting from 2020 the squad shall be placed in the best team available from the squad and updated every decade ending.

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad:

Brad Johnson (forward / half forward / midfield)
Scott West (centre / follower / wing)
Luke Darcy (ruck / forward pocket)
Rohan Smith (forward / back pocket / flank)
Chris Grant (CHF /CHB / forward / back)
Nathan Eagleton (wing / flanks forward or back)
Ryan Hargrave (half back flank / back pocket)
Brian (Harris) Lake (full back / centre half back)
Dale Morris (back pocket, 3rd tall back)
Robert (Bob) Murphy (half back flank / half forward flank)
Matthew Boyd (midfield / back flank)
Will Minson (ruck/second ruck interchange)
Liam Picken (midfield / forward)
Daniel Giansiracusa (forward)
Easton Wood (defender)
Lindsey Gilbee (defender)
Marcus Bontempelli (midfield / forward)

[westdog54]

I shall get the ball rolling by nominating Brad Johnson.

182cm, 87kg, Forward/Half Forward/Midfield.

Between 2000 and 2009 he played 240 games and kicked 456 goals, to finish with career tallies of 364 games and 558 goals.

Johnson was drafted at Pick 11 overall in the 1993 National Draft. Known by the football public for his infectious smile, the 182cm forward endeared himself to the Bulldogs faithful with his overhead marking ability and knack of finding the big sticks over a 17 season career.

Johnson won 3 best and fairest awards and was named as an All Australian an astounding 6 times. His best year came in 2006 when, in addition to being named acting Captain after a season ending injury to Luke Darcy, Johnson would not only be selected in the All Australian team, but would also be named Captain. Johnson kicked 70 goals to finish second in the Coleman Medal that season to Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola.

Johnson would be officially named Captain of the club for the 2007 season, a role he maintained until his retirement in 2010.

The club's first game of the 2008 season was also Johnson's 300th, in a memorable game against Adelaide. In a remarkable final quarter, Johnson would kick the Dogs' last 3 goals of the game, two of them in the space of a minute, to give the Dogs the lead. A late rally by the Crows was not enough, and a missed shot after the siren by Crow defender Nathan Bock ensured a fairy tale finish for Johnson in his milestone game.

Johnson is the Bulldogs' games record holder, a record that, when one examines the career span of the modern footballer, appears unlikely to be broken. Through his loyalty to the club, his unwavering smile and leadership on and off the field, Johnson has carved a permanent place in the history of the club and the hearts of its supporters.

[Scorlibo]

#7 Scott West, 177 games, 47 goals, 2000-2008, Midfielder, 178cm, 83kg, from Strathmore (Vic).

Nominated for: Centre.
Alternatives (in order of preference): Ruck-Rover, Rover, Wing.

Achievements/Awards:


Runner-up Brownlow Medal: 2000, 2006. (2)
Top 5 Brownlow Medal: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006. (4)
Best and Fairest: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005. (4)
All-Australian: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006. (4)
Hall of Fame Inductee: 2013.


Scott 'Westy' West was a key person in shifting the attitude of the Western Bulldogs Football Club in a more professional direction in the early 2000's. He was a fierce teammate and loyal clubman. Known for his ability to accumulate many possessions on a consistent basis (demonstrated by his career average of 25.4 disposals), West had incredible awareness and determination around the stoppages. His trademark play was to extract the football from congestion and, whilst on his hands and knees, feed a handball out to a teammate. He was not quick but worked hard on maintaining a fitness base which would enable him to run all day. A left-footer, West was not known for his foot skills but was more than capable in this respect.

West became one of the most iconic, admired and formidable midfielders within the AFL. He went in as a raging people's favourite to win the 2006 Brownlow Medal but was pipped in the last round by Sydney's Adam Goodes. It would mark the last opportunity for West to take home the coveted medal in his career, having been a mainstay in the league best and fairest counts over his illustrious career.

'Westy' ended his playing career on a bitter note after becoming injured in early 2008 - the first of a series of very successful years for the Club. His influence in these years can instead be seen in the fine bunch of senior players drafted in the years 1999-2003 who he mentored during an unsuccessful period of years in 2002-2004. Supporters remember him as a red, white and blue warrior who would never take a backwards step and who got the most out of himself. He is universally respected and in 2013 was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

The Scott West Most Courageous Award, awarded at the club Best and Fairest night, is named in his honour.

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[Scorlibo]

#14 Luke Darcy, 131 games, 115 goals, 2000-2007, Ruckman, 197cm, 99kg, from South Adelaide (SA).

Nominated for: Ruck.
Alternatives: Forward Pocket.

Achievements/Awards:


AFLPA MVP: 2002 (1)
Best and Fairest: 2001 (1)
All-Australian: 2002 (1)
Club Leading Goal Kicker: 2004 (1)
Club Captain: 2005-2006 (2)


Luke 'Darce' Darcy was one of the first in a generation of mobile ruckmen in the AFL. From 2001-2002 his ability to move between a ruck-midfield role and the forward line was well noted. Darcy would become known for his strength in the contest, his running capacity and an accurate left boot.

Beginning his career as the understudy to Brownlow Medallist Scott Wynd in the late nineties, Darcy's ascendance to be the number one Bulldogs ruckman was met with great success. For 5 years between 2000 and 2004, Darcy averaged 17.2 disposals, 6.1 marks, 14.7 hitouts and 0.8 goals. His dominance in this period was reflected in the year of 2002 with All-Australian honours, the AFL Player's Association Most Valuable Player Award and the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award. As of 2013, Darcy's 2002 year means that he is perhaps the only ruckman since the turn of the century to have been widely recognised as the best player in the competition.

Darcy's career was cut short by successive knee injuries in 2005 and 2006, the years in which he captained the club. He is remembered for his leadership, on and off the field, and for his part in revolutionising the role of the modern ruckman.

GR847cRadHQ

[Scorlibo]

At the risk of monopolising the nominations, my favourite:

#5 Rohan Smith, 153 games, 128 goals, 2000-2006, Utility, 184cm, 80kg, from Kingsville (Vic).

Nominated for: Half Back Flank.
Alternatives: Wing, Half Forward Flank, Back Pocket, Forward Pocket.

Achievements/Awards:


All Australian: 2003 (1)
Club Leading Goal Kicker: 2000 (1)


Rohan 'Bubba' Smith was known for his penetrating kick and for his ability to play all over the ground. Smith was one of a group of five players (along with Scott West, Brad Johnson, Chris Grant and Luke Darcy) who would carry the Western Bulldogs culture and brand upon their shoulders in their 10 year tenure as leaders of the Club. His close friendship with Brad Johnson would lead to the two being called, 'B1 and B2' - a reference to the popular ABC Kids television show 'Bananas in Pyjamas'. Their bond was also evident on the field, where they would frequently bring each other into the game.

But Smith was a champion player in his own right. After winning the Club's goal kicking in 2000, he would play the majority of his remaining 6 years on a half-back flank. He was regarded in this time as being among the finest rebounders in the competition, using his booming right boot to good effect. In 2003, he won All-Australian selection on the half-back flank. Previously selected as a half-forward flanker in 1997, Smith is one of just five players in the modern era to have been selected as both a defender and a forward in the All-Australian team, the others are: Jason Akermanis, Andrew McLeod, Leon Davis and Matthew Pavlich.

Dramatically, he announced his retirement before the Elimination Final of 2006, which was to be his 299th, and potentially last, AFL game. Fortunately, the Bulldogs disposed of Collingwood and Smith was given the chance to play his 300th AFL game against West Coast the next week in the Semi Final. The Bulldogs would lose this match and Smith would end his career with 300 AFL games, one of only 6 Bulldogs in AFL/VFL history to achieve this.

'Bubba' was an infectious clubman who wore his heart on his sleeve and bled red, white and blue.

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[bulldogtragic]

#3 Chris Grant, 123 Games, 161 Goals, 2000-2007, Tall Foward / Back, 193cm, 99kg, from Daylesford.

Nominated for: Centre Half Forward or Centre Half Back.
Alternatives for: Any other forward or back position.

Achievements:

Most votes in the 1997 Brownlow Medal (but ineligible to win)
Western Bulldogs Team of Century 1900-2000
2 best-and-fairest awards (1994, 1996)
3 All-Australian honours (1997, 1998, 1999)
Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee 2012
Club captain (2000–2004)
Club games record holder (2006–2009 )


This generations Teddy 'EJ' Whitten. Quite literally the soul and spirit of the Western Bulldogs as a player and now official of the club. 'Turtle' as he was nicknamed was a gun forward and gun back, he could do it all. He started out as a forward where as a 17 year old he kicked 51 goals, the youngest in VFL/AFL history. A tall target not seen for some time. Quick on the lead a great mark with courage nearly unmatched. But after establishing himself as our gun forward he was moved back and showed the same level of capability. Taking the best Centre Half Backs, including Wayne Carey, he dominated and commanded our back line. A true swing man, arguably the best swing man the AFL has ever seen.

In 2000 Granty was given the honour of captaining the bulldogs. An honour he held until the end on the 2004 season, although he missed virtually all of 2003 with an ACL (knee) injury. Despite this he broke the games record in 2006 held previously by club legends 'EJ' (Whitten) and 'Douggy' (Hawkins). Late in his career he suffered from a serious neck injury which almost ended his career, but he played on despite the league standing in his way.

His courage on field was matched by that of it. When Terry 'Plough' Wallis infamously quit as head coach Plough wanted to coach the last game of the season despite claiming he took the list ad far as it could go. Chris Grant led a charge from the players to President David Smorgan to refuse this. While he knew it would effect his relationship with Plough, he did it anyway for 'his' players and 'his' club. And in 2011 after head coach Rodney 'Rocket' Eade was terminated Granty was appointed onto a panel to find a new head coach. Bookies favourite and club favourite Leon Cameron was not appointed, instead they appointed Brendan McCartney. Granty and Leon started their careers together and are very close friends. Although given the opportunity to have others pass the message to Leon, Granty attended Leon's house near Midnight to tell him in person. Granty says this was the hardest thing he's ever had to do in his life. He knew it, but he did it. Leon went onto be head coach at Greater a Western Sydney Giants. Both are now, and still, the greatest of friends.

I doubt we will see another Grant this century, but if we do, we will be so very lucky.

[bulldogtragic]

#10 Nathan Eagleton, 221 games, 186 goals, 2000-2010, Wing, 180cm, 84kg, from West Adelaide.

Nominated for: Wing
Alternatives for: Flanks, forward and back

Achievements:

AFL Life Member (300+ games inc. pre season etc)
AFL Rising Star Nomination 1997
Match Committee Award 2004
Inaugural Port Adelaide Team Player
International Rules x 2


Nathan 'The Bald Eagle' Eagleton started his career in a flourish at Port Adelaide. His career was nearly ended in 1999 when he collapsed in a game due to an undiagnosed serious heart condition, which was successfully treated. Despite this, he was considered one of the clubs best players. But at the 1999 trade period the bulldogs made an audacious play for him and landed him. The trade involved a second round pick and club favourite Brett 'Monty' Montgomery (known for kissing the bulldog which adorned the jumped when he played, and later he became an assistant coach with us). Many fans were outraged by trading 'Monty' and the hot and cold treatment by fans to him began.

The Bald Eagle had pace to burn and loved to run. He had a long, long left foot on him and loved a running goal from 50 out. In 2000 he slaughtered Geelong kicking 7 goals, 2 behinds, in 2005 he personally contributed 28 goals, he kicked 3 goals or more in a game over a dozen times, all up racking up a total of 186 in his time at the dogs, which is the 24th most in the history of the club (at the date of this post). His pace saw him included into the International Series twice.

Despite supporters hot and cold support of him, the match committee selected him 221 times to wear the red, white and blue. 15th most in the history of the club (as of the date of this post). He also racked up 36 Brownlow Votes.

Not only in the top 25 played for games played and goals kicked for our club, he was a great club man and great person, loved by his team mates and coaches and watching him in form tearing teams a part was as good as watching anyone.

[bulldogtragic]

#25 Ryan Hargrave, 203 games, 37 goals, 2002-2012, Defender, 190cm, 85kg, Perth.

Nominated For: Half Back Flank
Alternate Nominated For: Back Pocket

Achievements:

200 game player (Western Bulldogs)
AFL Rising Star Nominee (2002)
Best Fist Year Player (2002) (Western Bulldogs)


Ryan 'Shaggy' Hargave, not Hargraves, played in the footsteps of his father Steven Hargrave who played in 1982 for the Footscray Football Club. Ryan was another player that was for a period questioned by some 'supporters'. A tall and athletic defender, Hargave started his career in a hard time for club and our players. Hargrave had an exciting start to his career winning our best first year player award. With an inexperienced back line, Hargave was regularly played out of position at Centre Half Back on players bigger and stronger than he. As other defenders started to develop like Brian Lake and Dale Morris, Hargave was allowed to finally play on the 3rd tall and use his running ability to exploit his opponent and play a key role in setting up attack. By the end of his career Hargrave would average nearly 15 positions a game and nearly 5 marks with great accuracy and the ability to float forward and kick the occasional goal. Hargrave can also be remembered for a stunning punch to the face of St Kilda's Heath Black in which he was suspended for 3 weeks AND fined $2,000. He is also a trivia question for which player who got paid holding the ball AFTER kicking the ball free in the 2009 Preliminary Final against St Kilda in which the resulting free kick was a goal and started the attack that ultimately beat us.

[LostDoggy]

#36 Brian Lake, 197 games, 32 goals, 2002-2012, Defender, 195cm, 104kg, from Woodville West-Torrens, (SA).

Nominated for: Full Back.
Alternatives: Back Pocket, Centre Half Back.

Achievements/Awards:
Best and Fairest: 2007 (1)
All-Australian: 2009, 2010 (2)

Brian Lake, born Brian Harris, came to the Club as a raw key position defender taken with Pick 71 at the 2001 AFL Draft. However, by 2005 he was regarded as one of the competitions prominent full-backs, his continued growth culminating with the Best and Fairest award for the 2007 season.

A "defensive gorilla", Lake was best known for his incredible ability and confidence to out-muscle his opponent and take big, contested marks, often on the last line of defence, instead of spoiling. This was aided by his excellent reading of the game, allowing him to leave his opponent when necessary to help out his team-mates and take marks from opposition kicks. At his best, Lake would also rack up the possessions and provide drive into the Bulldogs attack.

By 2009 Lake was arguably the AFL's best full-back, ratified by his inclusion in the All-Australian team in the back pocket next to Matthew Scarlett of Geelong, perhaps the greatest full-back of all time. In 2010 Lake was clearly the game's best, highlighted by his staggering 41 possession, 22 mark game in Round 9 against North Melbourne. This culminated in another All-Australian selection, this time at full-back.

As prolific as Lake was, he was occasionally prone to brain fades, "fondly" known to Bulldogs supporters as "Brain Leaks". The most controversial of these resulted in a free kick and goal to Nick Reiwoldt of St Kilda during the 2009 Preliminary Final, a game the Bulldogs eventually lost by 9 points.

Regardless, Brian Lake will be remembered as arguably the Western Bulldogs greatest ever full-back. He was traded to Hawthorn before the beginning of the 2013 season.

[westdog54]

#38 Dale Morris, 173* games, 33 goals, 2005-2014*, Defender, 190cm, 93kg, from Werribee (VFL).

Nominated for: Back Pocket
Alternatives: Half Back

Achievements:
2008 All Australian

Afer initailly being overlooked in the draft, Morris spent four years playing for VFL club Werribee before being drafted to the Western Bulldogs at Selection 19 in the 2005 Rookie Draft. Morris would play 17 games that year and quickly cemented himself in the Bulldogs line-up with his ability to shut down any defender and extraordinary pace, tall or small, that he was matched up against. It came as no surprise when he was elevated to the senior list at the end of the 2005 season. His meteoric rise as a footballer in 2005 was capped with Selection in Kevin Sheedy's new-look International Rules side

Morris' consistency as a defender was rewarded in 2008 with selection in the 2008 All Australian team at back pocket.

Universally praised for his courage and work ethic, Morris would have his career halted by a severe leg break at the end of the 2011 season, which would see him miss all of 2012. Fears that he may not return to the game were emphatically quashed in 2013, with Morris returning as though he had never left, finishing 5th in the Bulldogs best and fairest and winning the Scott West 'Most Courageous Player' Award.

Although his playing career is yet to conclude, there is no doubt that Morris will be fondly remembered as one of the finest players ever to don the Red, White and Blue, and a continuing living example of the success of the Rookie List.

[1eyedog]

#2 Robert Murphy, 295* games, 173 goals, Defender, 186cm, 82kg, from Warragul / Gippsland Power. Draft 13th overall, 1999

Nominated for: Half back Flank
Alternatives: Half forward Flank

Achievements:

Most Promising 2001
AFL Rising Star Nominee 2001
International Rules Series 2002, 2003
Best Team Person 2003
2008 Victoria (Australia) Victoria 1 (1)
All-Australian Team 2011
All-Australian Captain 2015

Robert 'Bob' Murphy has given 295 professional, consistent and most importantly, loyal, games to the Bulldogs despite limited on-field success.
He arrived at the kennel as a skinny 17-year-old who looked nothing like a footballer, but has turned into a champion of his club.
The Bulldog spent the middle part of his career playing as a hard-running, undersized centre-half-forward with fantastic awareness, good pace and elite disposal.

He later moved back to defence where his decision-making and execution by both hand and foot was a feature of his game.
Murphy is in the twilight of his career and it is a shame that he is likely to join the long list of quality footballers who go unrewarded with a premiership. Murphy was rewarded with an All-Australian cap in 2011 but stated after that his greatest achievement was winning Best Team Person in 2003 and that is why we love him. Murphy is a true Bulldog of old who relishes the history around the club and all the club stands for.

Playing ability aside, Murphy is regarded among the AFL community as a champion bloke. The Eagles sent him from the field with a guard of honour, such is the respect that club has for him.

Murphy is highly articulate and his insights into the game are often fascinating. His dry wit and honesty makes him perfect for television and he is a regular guest on the AFL360 programme.

[bulldogtragic]

Fair Call 1eyedog!!

[bornadog]

Future nomination but not yet - Jake Stringer

[westdog54]

Matthew Boyd
248 Games 82 Goals
midfielder/defender 184cm 88kg
Recruited From Frankston (VFL)
2002 Rookie draft pick 23

Nominated for: Midfield
Alternative: Half back

Honours
All Australian 2009, 2011
Charles Sutton Medal 2009, 2011, 2012
Club Captain 2011-2013
Rose Sutton Medallist 2007

After being overlooked in the draft, Boyd plied his trade in the VFL at standalone club Frankston before being thrown a lifeline by the Western Bulldogs in the 2002 Rookie draft. Boyd debuted in 2003 and played the early part of his career as a run-with midfielder and struggled to cement his place in the team.

Boyd's career was reinvigorated under coach Rodney Eade, becoming a ball-winning midfielder. His form was recognised by two Charlie Sutton medals and two All Australian appearances. Boyd's manic professionalism and leadership was further recognised by his appointment as Club Captain in 2011.

Despite the Bulldogs poor form under Coach Brendan McCartney, Boyd continued to lead by example, winning the 2012 Sutton Medal.

A drop in form in 2013 led to Boyd standing down as Captain for the 2014 season to focus on football. Out of contract, Boyd's future was uncertain and opinion divided amongst supporters, with Boyd eventually signing a one year deal, prior to the Bulldogs' turbulent off season.

Boyd was given a new lease of life under new coach Luke Beveridge. Moved from the Midfield to half back, Boyd is enjoying a reinvigorated career, defying critics by regularly featuring in the bests for the Bulldogs in his new role.

Throughout his career, Boyd had compensated for a lack of talent through his manic professionalism, work ethic, leadership and will to succeed. He has been a shining example to young footballers everywhere.

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Picken
Int: Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain.
Coaches to pick from: Wallace, Rhode, Eade, McCartney, Beveridge

[westdog54]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain.

Murph

[Go_Dogs]

Interesting. Quite a few of the guys from the late 90's early 00's will eventually be squeezed out by those who have more games in this era.

Great job all those who have made nominations. It's a good read.

[Twodogs]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain .


Johnno as captain.

[jeemak]

Great thread. Tougher to pick than you might like it to be, and a lot of this has to do with the games played criteria.

Take Nathan Brown for instance (over four seasons):

Average Games - 22.35
Average Disposals - 19.48
Average Goals - 1.93 (for a total of 171 - at an average of 42.75 a year)

Seriously good numbers. Elite numbers in fact.

[bornadog]

Great thread. Tougher to pick than you might like it to be, and a lot of this has to do with the games played criteria.

Take Nathan Brown for instance (over four seasons):

Average Games - 22.35
Average Disposals - 19.48
Average Goals - 1.93 (for a total of 171 - at an average of 42.75 a year)

Seriously good numbers. Elite numbers in fact.

Are you going to nominate him.

[The Doctor]

Lindsay Gilbee for the back pocket position

[bulldogtragic]

Lindsay Gilbee for the back pocket position

I've been waiting for this. But rules are the format for nominating is alongbthe nominations on page 1. He could even knock Smith to a forward flank I reckon.

[jeemak]

Are you going to nominate him.

No. He doesn't meet the minimum games for the Bulldogs post 2000 criteria.

[bulldogtragic]

Murph

Bump. I agree WD. With some consensus I can install Murphy into the captaincy pending the next 83 years. Grant & Johnson look like the obvious choices for VC at the moment.

Any others out there with the proven runs on the board for inclusion? Follow the format to nominate.

[bulldogtragic]

#27 Will Minson, 189 Games, 80 Goals, 2002-2015*, Ruckman/Second Ruckman, 199cm, 106kg, from Norwood.

Nominated for: Ruck
Alternatives for: Second Ruck/Interchange

Achievements:

Rising Star Nominee (2005)
All-Australian Honours (2013)
Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award Nominee (2013)


Big Will was taken with pick 20 in the 2002 AFL National Draft, debuting in 2005. Like all big men Will took time to flourish, and when he did he was an unstoppable force. In 2012 & 2013 Will collected the most hit outs in the Home & Away seasons. This resulted in Will being named as the ruckman in the 2013 All Australian team.

Will learned to adapt to different coaches through the Eade & McCartney coaching years. Will built his frame and fitness to be the solo team ruckman under McCartney in 2013 & 2014, a huge effort. Will found selection tougher in 2015 & 2016* but has shown real team leadership in putting the club before his own interests and working with younger rucks at the club. Will had some great individual moments, especially kicking a long range goal against Richmond 2008 (after Brian Lake faked injury and the umpire picked Will to take the kick) to draw the match after a huge late surge by the dogs to steal 2 premiership points off Richmond.

The media has a fascination with Will's intellect, language skills and saxophone playing. Will was also proned to making some silly comments on field which also fed into media interest. White line fever was certainly the case for Will.

At the time of this post Will is still on the list and at 189 games. This has Will at 29th in the club's history for most games played. 80 goals has Will at 70th in the all time goal kickers in the club's history. A great return on investment for club and Will has given every last drop of passion and effort into his career and unlike most, can call himself an All Australian player.

[bulldogtragic]

#42, Liam Picken, 177* Games, 65* Goals, 2009-2017*, Midfield or Forward, 184cm, 83kg, from Williamstown VFL via the Rookie List.

Nominated for: Midfield
Alternatives for: Forward

Achievements:

Premiership Player (2016)
Best Finals Player (2016)
3rd in the B&F (2012)
Best Team Player (2012)
International Rules Player (2010)
NAB Cup Premiership Player (2010)
Williamstown B&F (2008)


Liam Picken is the son of Collingwood legend Billy Picken, who is a member of the Collingwood Team of the Century. With the link to Collingwood, Picken trained a preseason with Collingwood who chose not to draft him. Picken would head to the VFL playing for Williamstown and impressing rapidly by winning the B&F in 2008.

Liam was overlooked by all clubs in the AFL National Draft, but with Williamstown prepared to pay to have him rookied, the Dogs pounced and selected Picken with pick 30 in the 2008 AFL Rookie Draft, debuting in 2009. Despite rookie status in 2009 and among a team of outstanding players in the 'Premiership Window', Picken played 23 games in his debut season and has never played less than 20 games in each and every one of his years at the Western Bulldogs. A huge effort, and reflective of his durability, fitness and ability to play different valuable roles for the team. As of this post he's played 177 games which a places him 37th for all time games played for Footscray/Western Bulldogs.

Picken made his AFL debut against North Melbourne in early 2009. While only collecting 9 possessions in a tagging role on Brent Harvey, Picken kept Harvey goalless and ineffective. Picken would commence his career as one the premier taggers in the competition, often excelling against top tier opponents such as Harvey and Gary Ablett Jnr.

Picken would play as a tagger until the Bulldogs changed head coaches, where new coach Brendan McCartney would often play him as a small defender, with some tagging. The move was arguably not the best for Picken to shine his skill sets. When the Bulldogs shortly changed head coach again, this time to Luke Beveridge, Picken was instructed to play his natural game. Picken would say in an interview about Beveridge, that when Beveridge arrived at the club he told him he was recruited because he was a naturally gifted and talented player and to play like that.

In 2015 Picken was freed from tagging and defence and was given the freedom in the midfield and forwardline to play to his talent. Picken started impacting in the midfield accumulating good disposals, taking spectacular high flying marks and hitting the scoreboard. Picken's rise continued in 2016 where he improved yet again. With the team making the 2016 finals, Picken would leave a legacy as not only a Premiership Player, but the club awarded Best Finals player in the Premiership campaign. Picken would take crucial marks in the finals and kicked 8 goals straight, including 3 goals straight in the Grand Final which included the winning goal.

Picken is nominated for midfield and forward.

[bulldogtragic]

With a few more players now qualifying or near qualifying for this team, it should fill out a little. But the Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: R. Hargrave B. Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith D. Morris R. Murphy
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: B. Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken
Int: W. Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain. Bob Murphy probably, unless Premiership Captain Easton Wood gets a nomination soon. Vice Captain even harder!
Coach: L. Beveridge

[Twodogs]

Is Eaton Wood earning that spare spot in defense? Premiership captain, Best and fairest etc.


It be great if this continues over the whole hundred years .

[Twodogs]

And the Bont.

[bulldogtragic]

Is Eaton Wood earning that spare spot in defense? Premiership captain, Best and fairest etc.


It be great if this continues over the whole hundred years .


And the Bont.

Rules are 100 games to qualify with Bonts (see OP). I'm surprised no one has already nominated Easton, any poster can nominate a player following the format all posters have used to date. So when he's nominated, he will slot into an amazing backline (and only 17 years in so far). They'd never get beaten, and if they needed reinforcements, well Bevo can just swing Chris Grant to CHB for a while!

The real kicker for us, and we will need a special WOOF council, is if say Roughy is nominated soon (he's played over 100 games). We either say this TOTC can carry three ruckman (Roughy, Darcy & Minson) or the council will have to make a decision to temporarily or permanently leave one out.

[Twodogs]

That means Libba becomes eligible this week.

Might have to have special dispensation for tha Bont.

[bulldogtragic]

That means Libba becomes eligible this week.

Might have to have special dispensation for tha Bont.

Yep, someone has to nominate him though explaining exactly why he deserves to be in and his accolades. They're good reads. Would add a hard edge to the midfield group and would probably push Picken into the forwardline. A good problem to have. Again, anyone can nominate any player in line with the thread guidelines in the OP...

[boydogs]

Again, anyone can nominate any player in line with the thread guidelines in the OP...

The team's looking pretty full considering we're less than 20% into the century ;)

[bulldogtragic]

The team's looking pretty full considering we're less than 20% into the century ;)

True! :D

The challenge will be in 4-8 years of cutting players out, we are in the easy phase now.

[KT31]

True! :D

The challenge will be in 4-8 years of cutting players out, we are in the easy phase now.

Be lots of changes over time but with Wood, JJ (depending on contracts) T.Boyd and Roughie, IMO Eagleton, Minson and Shaggy look to be in the most immediate danger of missing out.

[Bulldog4life]

I wonder who will be around in 2100 to finalize the team?;)

[bornadog]

I wonder who will be around in 2100 to finalize the team?;)

BT is ageless :D

[bulldogtragic]

I wonder who will be around in 2100 to finalize the team?;)


BT is ageless :D

Already ahead of y'all. I've had my consciousness uploaded into the Internet and left my physical body behind. I'm here forever.

[bornadog]

Already ahead of y'all. I've had my consciousness uploaded into the Internet and left my physical body behind. I'm here forever.

I may join you and see if I can hit 500,000 posts

[Eastdog]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Picken
Int: Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain.
Coaches to pick from: Wallace, Rhode, Eade, McCartney, Beveridge

Bevo as coach right now. The captain that's a tough one.

Quite a few changes I'd imagine to that team stated in 2015. Bonti, Libba, Wallis potentially

[westdog54]

I wonder who will be around in 2100 to finalize the team?;)

Like any organisation, succession planning is critical.

[comrade]

When do previously nominated players start getting shoved out by current premiership stars? Eagleton stands out as a very weak link in that side, with the likes of Macrae & even Hunter breathing down his neck.

[bulldogtragic]

When do previously nominated players start getting shoved out by current premiership stars? Eagleton stands out as a very weak link in that side, with the likes of Macrae & even Hunter breathing down his neck.

Good question. As soon as a player hits 100 games for the Dogs, any woofer is free to nominate them for inclusion into the squad. There's a few outstanding players that surprisingly haven't yet been nominated by any woofers. Once that occurs we will have some work to do.

So the process will be any players considered not best 18 will get pushed to the bench initially, and if there's a clash which could occur, say if Roughead was nominated for ruck (Roughy, Darcy & Minson), then I will commence the article 36 process on behalf of WOOF. That being a seperate specific voting and discussion thread where majority rules will determine any players to leave the rolling squad (temporarily or permanently) where they are replaced by a new, better player. I've envoked the 'nuclear option' to ensure no philabusting or other manipulation of the nominee vetting process.

Once more nomination posts are submitted, it will be a really interesting and thoughtful thread testing stats and our perceptions of retired players against new nominees current credentials. With a great articulate group of dogs observers on WOOF, I'm really looking forward to this next stage over the years ahead.

[Mantis]

When do previously nominated players start getting shoved out by current premiership stars? Eagleton stands out as a very weak link in that side, with the likes of Macrae & even Hunter breathing down his neck.


Good question. As soon as a player hits 100 games for the Dogs, any woofer is free to nominate them for inclusion into the squad. There's a few outstanding players that surprisingly haven't yet been nominated by any woofers. Once that occurs we will have some work to do.

So the process will be any players considered not best 18 will get pushed to the bench initially, and if there's a clash which could occur, say if Roughead was nominated for ruck (Roughy, Darcy & Minson), then I will commence the article 36 process on behalf of WOOF. That being a seperate specific voting and discussion thread where majority rules will determine any players to leave the rolling squad (temporarily or permanently) where they are replaced by a new, better player. I've envoked the 'nuclear option' to ensure no philabusting or other manipulation of the nominee vetting process.

Once more nomination posts are submitted, it will be a really interesting and thoughtful thread testing stats and our perceptions of retired players against new nominees current credentials. With a great articulate group of dogs observers on WOOF, I'm really looking forward to this next stage over the years ahead.

I'm happy to take one for the team and nominate any player that will force Eagleton out. ;)

[bulldogtragic]

I'm happy to take one for the team and nominate any player that will force Eagleton out. ;)

Very generous! :D

There's four players open currently, following the comprehensive posting format. Dahl, Wood, Libba & Roughy. I dare say Dahl, Wood & Libba could move others (Rohan Smith, Picken etc) onto the wing and force Eagleton to the mainly vacant bench. Wallis, Macrae & Dicko could hit 100 games this year and really start to ramp up the midfield discussions.

Past players eligible include Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Cross, Robbins, McMahon.

[comrade]

Dahl to take a forward spot, Libba to take Eagleton's midfield spot, Wood to take a vacant defensive spot, Gilbee to take Eagleton's bench spot, Gia to take a forward spot.

[SlimPickens]

Ryan Griffen should be in the team.

[chef]

I'd prefer he wasnt. Its 'team' of the century and he chose to bolt from it.

Just my take on it.

[bulldogtragic]

If you want to nominate a player, then please do. Just follow the nominating format (which allows readers who may not have seen some players, or understand exactly why they should be in the team), and I will insert the players into the squad and allow WOOF to decide. The thread needs to be an in depth and interesting intellectual exercise in assessing our players nominated of our recent history, nominating a player in a post need not take a huge amount of time, but should follow the thread convention. Which will then create some really interesting discussion.

[Twodogs]

I'd prefer he wasnt. Its 'team' of the century and he chose to bolt from it.

Just my take on it.


We could start the "no Ryans" club. Like the "no Homers" club in the Simpsons and argue that we've already got a Ryan and the club's name means we can't go plural.

[westdog54]

Dahl to take a forward spot, Libba to take Eagleton's midfield spot, Wood to take a vacant defensive spot, Gilbee to take Eagleton's bench spot, Gia to take a forward spot.

Is Gia yet to be nominated?

I shall rectify this in the morning.

[Twodogs]

Should we have a Hall Of Fame as well? I haven't really thought the concept through at all but it would allow us to nominTe other people as well.

[KT31]

Ryan Griffen should be in the team.

Some sort of moral backbone would be in the criteria for selection and he just doesn't have it, can be in a Plastic GWS team if one ever picked.

[Twodogs]

Some sort of moral backbone would be in the criteria for selection and he just doesn't have it, can be in a Plastic GWS team if one ever picked.


They won't last a century. Team of the Decade would be more their destiny.

[KT31]

I would like to nominate -

#10 Eastern Wood, 109 games, 15 goals, 2009- , Defender, 187cm, 87kg, Geelong Grammar

Nominated For: Half Back
Alternate Nominated For: Backline

Achievements:

All Australian 2015

International Rules Series 2011

Charles Sutton Medal - 2015

NAB Cup Premiership player: 2010

AFL Premiership Captain - 2016

Wood is a medium sized defender who has the ability to play on a range of different opponents. After a stellar 2015 season, Wood was named in the All Australian Team for the first time. In 2016, Wood stepped into the captaincy role in the absence of Bob Murphy, leading the Club to it's historic premiership victory. 2016 The athletic defender was recruited to the Bulldogs through the 2007 AFL National Draft with the Club’s third round selection (pick 43 overall).

Thrust into the captaincy after Robert Murphy injured his knee in round three, the 28-year-old had large shoes to fill but led with courage and pride, and as a Bulldogs premiership captain, now has a legacy that will echo through the ages.

[Twodogs]

Im surprised that Easton has only kicked 15 goals. He has kicked some pretty memorable ones. Mainly against the Swans,

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This With KT's nomination of Easton Wood (Great nomination BTW):

B: R. Hargrave B. Lake D. Morris
HB: R. Smith E. Wood R. Murphy (C)
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken
Int: W.Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant


Amazing backline starting to emerg. If Gilbee gets nominated it will start our first Article 36 process on the backline.

Available to be nominated: Dahl, Libba, Roughy, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Gilbee, Cross, Gia, Robbins, McMahon.

[Twodogs]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This With KT's nomination of Easton Wood (Great nomination BTW):

B: R. Hargrave B. Lake D. Morris
HB: R. Smith E. Wood R. Murphy (C)
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken
Int: W.Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant


Amazing backline starting to emerg. If Gilbee gets nominated it will start our first Article 36 process on the backline.

Available to be nominated: Dahl, Libba, Roughy, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Gilbee, Cross, Gia, Robbins, McMahon.


Who are we going to drop from the backline? If anyone even thinks of saying Rohan Smith I will hit them with a stick.

[comrade]

I'd take Gilbs over Shaggy to be honest.

[KT31]

Im surprised that Easton has only kicked 15 goals. He has kicked some pretty memorable ones. Mainly against the Swans,

Surprised me as well, a few big Captains goals last year and an important one against the Swans in 2015.

[bulldogtragic]

I'd take Gilbs over Shaggy to be honest.

Then nominate him, and I will start an Article 36 determination. I think that's a good challenge, or conversely whether WOOF decided to move Smith to a wing, or Bob to a forward position.

[bulldogtragic]

Surprised we as well, a few big Captains goals last year and an important one against the Swans in 2015.

That's the value in these longer form nomination posts, seeing some interesting key areas. I think out of any player on our list, his quality of goals far outweigh the quantity of say a player with many more goals, but stuffed up the key 'must kick' goals.

[Twodogs]

There was the tap through winning goal in Sydney in 2015. The only time I've ever seen a player kick tge winning goal and take the match saving mark all in the same game

[westdog54]

There was the tap through winning goal in Sydney in 2015. The only time I've ever seen a player kick tge winning goal and take the match saving mark all in the same game

And win a match winning contest at CHB with a minute to go.

And win the final sprint to the ball.

In fact he pretty much won everything that day.

[westdog54]

#13 - Daniel Giansiracusa. 265 Games, 331 Goals. 2001-2014. 182cm, 83kg

32nd Pick Overall in the 1999 National Draft. Recruited from Western Jets.

Nominated for: Half Forward Flank.
Alternative: Forward Pocket

Achievements/Awards:


International Rules Series Represantative 2005
Club leading Goalkicker 2012-2013
Best Clubman 2013



A member of the famous 1999 'Superdraft' class, a knee injury meant that Giansiracusa would have to wait until Round 11, 2001 to make his debut on a wet night against Adelaide at Football Park. 'Gia' had an immediate impact, kicking a goal with his first kick.

Gia's strong hands, goal sense and sharp disposal by foot would see him become an integral part of the Bulldogs forward line throughout his career, with the occasional stint in the midfield. Gia was never one to shirk a contest, evidenced by a now infamous bump on StKilda Ruckman Justin Koschitzke that left the latter concussed.

Averaging 18 disposals, 5 marks and over a goal a game over the length of his career, Gia was an integral part of the Bulldogs' run of finals in the late 2000's, his highlights including a 25 possession, 2 goal game against Hawthorn in the 2008 Qualifying Final, and a 35 possession game against Brisbane in the 2009 Semi-Final.

In the final two years of his career, Gia was used extensively by Coach Brendan McCartney in the substitute role. The club had announced during the 2013 season that Gia would retire at season's end, and he played his 'farewell' game against Melbourne, his 250th game, as he and teammate Daniel Cross said goodbye to the Bulldogs faithful in a 20 point win.

During the off-season, McCartney would have a change of heart, and Gia's career continued into a 15th season. Gia would manage 15 more games for the club, again used mostly as a sub, whilst effectively working as a ground level coach from the interchange bench.

Sadly, there would be no fairytale ending this time, with the Dogs going down in a Round 23 clash against GWS by six points with the last kick of the game.

Gia is still involved with the club as an Assistant Coach. He is currently 11th for Games played for the Bulldogs, and 9th for most goals kicked, a testament to his longevity and goal sense.

[jeemak]

Gia's one of my favourite players. Sublime skills and remarkably good in close.

Just like Johnno he's a player that would have made more AA teams and more money playing midfield, but alas, he had to play forward during a time when we couldn't draft a decent one to save ourselves.

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This With WD54's nomination of Daniel Giansiracusa (Another great nomination):

B: R. Hargrave B. Lake D. Morris
HB: R. Smith E. Wood R. Murphy (C)
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: B. Johnson Vacant D. Giansiracusa
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken
Int: W.Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant

Starting to fill out nicely. Although no eligible full forward in 17 years.

Available to be nominated: Dahl, Libba, Roughy, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Gilbee, Cross, Robbins, McMahon.

[bulldogtragic]

Gia's one of my favourite players. Sublime skills and remarkably good in close.

Just like Johnno he's a player that would have made more AA teams and more money playing midfield, but alas, he had to play forward during a time when we couldn't draft a decent one to save ourselves.

He would've made an outstanding captain too. He very nearly kicked us into a Grand Final in 2009 as well, it was a great kicked that only just missed. A true club champ, and with his goal kicking accuracy, there's going to be a fair player ahead to dislodge him in this team.

[bulldogtragic]

#9 Lindsay Gilbee, 206 games (21st all time list), 119 goals (46th all time list), 2000-2012, Defender, 180cm, 82kg, Eastern Ramges

Nominated For: Half Back Flank
Alternate Nominated For: Backline

Achievements:

All Australian: 2006

International Rules Series: 2005 & 2006 (4 games)

3rd in Charles Sutton Medal: 2005

NAB Cup Premiership player: 2010


Lindsay Gilbee is now the fourth Team of the Century nomination from the 1999 AFL Draft, with Murphy, Hargrave & Giansiracusa. Gilbee was selected at pick 43 from the Eastern Ranges.

Gilbee debuted as a 19yo and had a predigious kick. At a tumultuous club as we were under coach, Peter Rhode, rumours were abound that Gilbee was as good as leaving, likely to Collingwood. New coach Rodney Eade was appointed and was said to have made keeping Gilbee a main priority. Which Gilbee did. Gilbee was a great rebounding defender and who had a very long kick and a very accurate kick. A weapon for the teams that contested preliminary finals 2008-2010.

Gilbee was such an amazing kick of the football that he made mention in 2009 that NFL (aka American Grid Iron) teams had thrown out offers for try outs to him in 2008. Gilbee said he knocked them back to do something special as a club around 2008-2010. A wonderful team ethos that those preliminary teams unfortunately couldnt capitalise on. As a forward looking up at the play, there's not too many better players you'd want kicking it to you. And as a fan, you'd relax with him having a goal from 50m or more out because he could kick long range goals, who as a defender, kicked 119 goals putting him 46th on the list of all time club goal kickers.

A versatile, impressive and nearly unique type of player.

[bulldogtragic]

Dear Woofers,

This commences our first article 32.

We have 7 nominations for defenders. Seperate thread to determine this coming shortly.

[bulldogtragic]

Thanks all for your input on the A32 for defence. The lines now look like this:


B: R. Murphy (c) B. Lake D. Morris ------ 734* Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith E. Wood L. Gilbee ------ 623* Games, 389 Goals
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant ------ 545 Games, 186 Goals
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant ------ 341 Games, 554 Goals
F: B. Johnson Vacant D. Giansiracusa ------ 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken ------ 701 Games*, 338 Goals*
Int: W. Minson, R. Hargrave, Vacant, Vacant ------ 394 Games, 118 Goals

Games: 3,971* --- Goals: 2,690* (Still 6 vacancies)

Eligible Still: Dahl, Tom Liberatore, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Cross, Robbins, McMahon.

[boydogs]

Thanks all for your input on the A32 for defence

Should we have had one for the ruck? Foregone conclusion between Darcy & Minson I guess

[bulldogtragic]

Should we have had one for the ruck? Foregone conclusion between Darcy & Minson I guess

Ahead of you my friend, Roughy is eligible now so I'm waiting for him to get a nod at some point ahead and when he does we can have an A32 on Darcy, Minson & Roughy.

A genuine AA ruck/forward (Darcy), an old style workhorse who hit AA (Minno) and a new mobile ruck, who can pinch hit at both ends and a great contested grab who was a vital premiership player (Roughy).

I reckon that's going to be very interesting.

[boydogs]

Ahead of you my friend, Roughy is eligible now so I'm waiting for him to get a nod at some point ahead and when he does we can have an A32 on Darcy, Minson & Roughy.

A genuine AA ruck/forward (Darcy), an old style workhorse who hit AA (Minno) and a new mobile ruck, who can pinch hit at both ends and a great contested grab who was a vital premiership player (Roughy).

I reckon that's going to be very interesting.

Team of the Century Nomination

Name: Jordan Roughead
Position: Ruck
Height: 200cm
Weight: 99kg
Born: November 3, 1990
Drafted: Pick 31, 2008
Debut: Round 5, April 23, 2010
Games: 114*

Jordan was drafted as a ruckman and his early development was focused on this role. Under Brendan McCartney however, he was moved into the backline and played some good games there when matched against opponents of similar height and speed. Under Luke Beveridge, he was moved back to the ruck and preferred over incumbent and former AA Will Minson, for his versatility in being able to play in any part of the ground, and be involved in the play beyond rucking at stoppages

Jordan is a prototype modern ruck, exhibiting agility, endurance and skill beyond more traditional rucks of Minson's ilk. He has developed a strong marking game around the ground, and has been used as a tall Mr Fix It to set things right for the team in any area of the ground, which has made him one of the team's most important players

Jordan had a terrific finals series in our successful 2016 campaign, including a memorable mark, wheel and goal from 50 in the Elimination Final, and a crucial mark in the middle of the ground after a disallowed goal to maintain the momentum in the Grand Final after coming back from an eye injury experienced early in the Prelim to take his place in the side

Jordan is a great clubman, serving as vice-captain in 2015 and doing numerous community appearances for the club, coaching in the VWFL, and is often the last one signing autographs for fans after training and games

Jordan is still only 26 years old, and as a tall you could expect that his best years are ahead of him

[bulldogtragic]

Ok, folks it's an Article 32. Ruckmen:

Luke Darcy
Will Minson
Jordan Roughead

[bulldogtragic]

Thanks. The lines now look like this:


B: R. Murphy (c) B. Lake D. Morris ------ 734* Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith E. Wood L. Gilbee ------ 623* Games, 389 Goals
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant ------ 545 Games, 186 Goals
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant ------ 341 Games, 554 Goals
F: B. Johnson Vacant D. Giansiracusa ------ 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken ------ 701 Games*, 338 Goals*
Int: W. Minson, R. Hargrave, Vacant, Vacant ------ 394 Games, 118 Goals

Games: 3,971* --- Goals: 2,690* (Still 6 vacancies)

Eligible Still: Dahl, Tom Liberatore, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Cross, Robbins, McMahon.

The traditional annual bye round nominations are open for The Team of the Century. In addition to the eligible names above, Jack Macrae & Mitch Wallis are now eligible, and even though they are a few games short of 100 games, above I will allow the nominations of JJ & Bontempelli (both 95 games) as I'm assuming they'll get to 100 this year.

So eligible, only following a detailed nomination as per the method seen in the thread: Bontempelli, Macrae, JJ, Libba, Wallis, Cooney, Higgins, Gryphone, Hahn, Cross, Robbins, McMahon

[bornadog]

You can cross out Higgins, never really played consistently enough for a team like that.

[westdog54]

The traditional annual bye round nominations are open for The Team of the Century. In addition to the eligible names above, Jack Macrae & Mitch Wallis are now eligible, and even though they are a few games short of 100 games, above I will allow the nominations of JJ & Bontempelli (both 95 games) as I'm assuming they'll get to 100 this year.

So eligible, only following a detailed nomination as per the method seen in the thread: Bontempelli, Macrae, JJ, Libba, Wallis, Cooney, Higgins, Gryphone, Hahn, Cross, Robbins, McMahon

I'll put together a Cooney nomination post in the coming days. Despite his acrimonious exit he's still a brownlow medallist and proven matchwinner at his best.

Thanks for the bump BT.

[bulldogtragic]

You can cross out Higgins, never really played consistently enough for a team like that.

Just he’s eligible. I don’t think he’s going to get one. Probably same with Robbins & Hahn. But it’s s democratic nomination process. Dickson has 7 games to get to 100. So if he plays next year I think Dickson would have those three covered.

With WD set to nominate Cooney & Bonts and Macrae certain to get nominated, we might have a hell of a debate about the midfield line up. Some may start to fall out of our TOTC, Eagleton looks in danger. If JJ gets nominated, I can’t see him breaking the starting defence. As a premiership & norm smith medalist. But all our posters decide the final team, so it should be great discussion and a break from our on field performances.

[westdog54]

Just he’s eligible. I don’t think he’s going to get one. Probably same with Robbins & Hahn. But it’s s democratic nomination process. Dickson has 7 games to get to 100. So if he plays next year I think Dickson would have those three covered.

With WD set to nominate Cooney & Bonts and Macrae certain to get nominated, we might have a hell of a debate about the midfield line up. Some may start to fall out of our TOTC, Eagleton looks in danger. If JJ gets nominated, I can’t see him breaking the starting defence. As a premiership & norm smith medalist. But all our posters decide the final team, so it should be great discussion and a break from our on field performances.

I'm gonna put it out there that we should scrap the article 32 process, and simply have a list of nominees on each line/position, with the team to be assembled by a duly appointed selection committee

[bulldogtragic]

I'm gonna put it out there that we should scrap the article 32 process, and simply have a list of nominees on each line/position, with the team to be assembled by a duly appointed selection committee

I like the duly appointed selection committee idea. Those making the actual (& lengthy) nominations and actively discussing their views is comparing players is a good start. By the end of the bye period we can set the nominated players into the starting 22 as our final position for 2018 (all will make the 22 in some spot, be it the bench this year). With 18 years now, it makes for interesting discussion with the centre position being say West (a million B&Fs) or Cooney (Brownlow) or Bonts (he's Bonts). At their very best they could all lay claim to being selected as the centre. I imagine there's going to be opinions arguing for all three. It's only going to get tougher and tougher from here on in as we fill the 22 and in future years will need to start culling players out. A good reason for those with insights on debating very good players over the last 18 years worthy of being in the TOTC to get on the selection committee. How shall posters be 'duly appointed'?

[Twodogs]

I like the duly appointed selection committee idea. Those making the actual (& lengthy) nominations and actively discussing their views is comparing players is a good start. By the end of the bye period we can set the nominated players into the starting 22 as our final position for 2018 (all will make the 22 in some spot, be it the bench this year). With 18 years now, it makes for interesting discussion with the centre position being say West (a million B&Fs) or Cooney (Brownlow) or Bonts (he's Bonts). At their very best they could all lay claim to being selected as the centre. I imagine there's going to be opinions arguing for all three. It's only going to get tougher and tougher from here on in as we fill the 22 and in future years will need to start culling players out. A good reason for those with insights on debating very good players over the last 18 years worthy of being in the TOTC to get on the selection committee. How shall posters be 'duly appointed'?

Personally I think that Scott West owns the centre position in any TOTC this far. The Bont could claim a spot in a few positions. Midfield or tallish forward for example. Cooney was as pure an old fashioned rover as I've seen. He was almost as good at it as Brian Royal was in the previous century.

It's like picking a wicketkeeper. You want someone with the best hands and Scooter had the best hands in the business.

[Happy Days]

Cooney was as pure an old fashioned rover as I've seen. He was almost as good at it as Brian Royal was in the previous century.

It's like picking a wicketkeeper. You want someone with the best hands and Scooter had the best hands in the business.

I've been watching some old dogs footage on youtube and I've been blown away by how good Brian Royal was. He would be absolutely incredible in today's game as a Toby Greene-style small forward.

[Twodogs]

I've been watching some old dogs footage on youtube and I've been blown away by how good Brian Royal was. He would be absolutely incredible in today's game as a Toby Greene-style small forward.

Not long after he started I met a bunch of blokes from Bairsdale. They called him Kaiser back home because he was the King of footballers.

[bulldogtragic]

#4 Marcus Bontempelli, Age 25, 168* Games, 152* Goals, 9* Finals, 2014-Current, Contracted to 2025, Midfielder, 193cm, 93kg, from Northern Knights (Vic).

Nominated for: Centre
Alternatives (in order of preference): Ruck-Rover, Rover, Wing

Achievements/Awards:

Young Bontempelli

Rising Star Nomination: 2014
Runner Up Rising Star (robbed of it by 1 vote, see below): 2014
AFLPA Best First Year Player (by the biggest ever margin): 2014
Chris Grant Best First Year Player: 2014
AFLCA Best Young Player: 2015
Youngest ever captain to captain a side to a victory in AFL/VFL history (20 years, 194 days): 2017
Included in each of his five eligible years to the best under 22 side: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018. Captain in 2016, 2017 & 2018.


Middle Career Bontempelli

All Australian: 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021
All Australian Squad: 2017
AFLCA Champion Player: 2019
Herald Sun Player on the Year: 2019
State of Origin: 2020
AFLCA Champion Player Runner Up: 2021
AFLPA MVP & Best Captain: 2021 (Only Chris Judd & Michael Voss have done this)
Runner Up Brownlow: 2021 (33 Votes, enough to have won in any other year, but 3)

Charles Suttton Medal (B&F): 2016, 2017, 2019 & 2021
Doug Hawkins Medal (2nd in B&F): 2020
Gary Dempsey Medal (3rd in B&F): 2015 & 2018
Top 3 from 2015 to 2020 (6 Seasons)
John van Groningen Domestique Award: 2019 & 2021
Scott West Most Courageous: 2020

Best & Fairest (back to back, and youngest to ever do it at the club): 2017
57 Career Brownlow votes (while still on his P Plates): 2017

Premiership Player: 2016
Best & Fairest, and in a Premiership Year: 2016 (equaling Ted Whitten at the club, the youngest in the VFL/AFL to achieve this since Leigh Matthews in 1971)
Best & Fairest, Grand Final Year 2021 (both Grand Final seasons he’s played in)

Vice Captain: 2018, 2019
Club Captain: 2020, 2021, ongoing
Grand Final Club Captain: 2021 (25 Disposals, 3 Goals)


Drafted at pick 4, Marcus made an impact from the get go. A tall midfielder, equally as dangerous as a KPF. A rising star after a handful of games, and one of the best goals we've ever seen deep in the forward pocket against Melbourne made everyone take notice of him. His achievements say much more than I can add to his narrative. So I'll focus on the moments he helped to deliver us a premiership by doing things that past players have not done in knock out finals.

So, against the reigning premiers Hawthorn on the big stage of the MCG in front of 90,000 fans he lined up on the Hawthorn captain, Luke Hodge, and in two key plays made an amazing intercept of a Hodge handball and got the ball back to hit up Tory Dickson deep inside 50. The other play on Hodge was a great contested mark where he with casual disdain swept Hodge out of the way for a crucial inside 50 mark. Commentators would posit that Bonts took the baton off Hidge that night. And a great win.

Then, for those old enough to remember 1997 prelim final, where Mark West was running into goal with space for an easy shot that missed, we have imprinted moments where we choked. Enter a great play in the 2016 prelim final vs GWS, at GWS, Bonts gets the kick near him running towards goal late in the last quarter. He at pace, but with caution, collects to ball runs at goals, runs passed 50 like Mark West in 1997, but instead kicked it right through the middle. Having come back from 3 goals down, his finishing vanquished the demons for a lot of us who have never experienced winning a prelim final.

At the same age, Bonts has had more Brownlow Votes that Gary Ablett Jr or Nat Fyffe at the same age. With more development and no doubt captaincy to come, there's little doubt Bonts will continue to smash club records and VFL/AFL records. With hopefully another 200 games, I doubt Bonts will ever be dislodged from the TOTC. And so I nominate him.

[boydogs]

With hopefully another 200 games, I doubt Bonts will ever be dislodged from the TOTC

Sounds likely. But he hasn't hit the heights of previous years in 2018

[bulldogtragic]

The traditional annual bye round nominations are open for The Team of the Century. Newly eligible players that can be nominated are Jack Macrae, Mitch Wallis, JJ, Lachie Hunter & Tory Dickson.

So all eligible players (not yet nominated) are, only following a detailed nomination as per the method seen in the thread: Macrae, JJ, Hunter, Dickson, Libba, Wallis, Cross, Hahn, Robbins, Higgins, McMahon.

[bulldogtragic]

From the close of nominations last year (18 years of 100 years in):

B: R. Murphy (c) B. Lake D. Morris ------ 734* Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith E. Wood L. Gilbee ------ 623* Games, 389 Goals
C: N. Eagleton S. West M. Bontempelli ------ 660* Games, 296* Goals
HF: Vacant C. Grant A. Cooney ------ 560 Games, 740 Goals
F: B. Johnson Vacant D. Giansiracusa ------ 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken ------ 701 Games*, 338 Goals*
Int: W. Minson, R. Hargrave, R. Griffen, Vacant ------ 596 Games, 248 Goals

Games: 4,509* --- Goals: 3,116* (Still 3 vacancies)

Eligible: Macrae, JJ, Hunter, Dickson, Libba, Wallis, Cross, Hahn, Robbins, Higgins, McMahon.

The team looks really solid to me, across all lines. Still missing a full forward after 19 years, but we have have time to find one (just 8 decades). Some very good small, medium and tall defenders with great skills. A mobile goal kicking ruck, an AA ruckman as back up. A great midfield with many and varied strengthes and a nimble forwardline, who kick serious amounts of goals, around Chris Grant. It's really shaping up nicely as it moves in a few years to dropping players out of the squad as new players maybe take the places of existing players.

[KT31]

Over the next 87 years we shall nominate players we think should be in the squad.

- My only rule is 100 games as a minimum. (* Note they need to be played from 2000 onwards)
- Best and Fairests are not automatic entry, although 2 wins or more are.
- A Brownlow is automatic selection into the squad, but not the final team.
- Players who leave for another club can be nominated (see the previous team of the century).
- Players inducted into previous team must have played 100 games after 2000.
- The amount of players named on the interchange shall be the number as at year 2100 plus 3.
- Any "subs" or similar shall be included into the interchange bench.
- There shall be no "emergency" list.
- There shall be 1 (one) Senior Coach Listed.

This thread will be around in 87 years so please... To make a nomination, please select your player, the position you want AND a fall back position (ie Full Forward, or Forward Pocket or Onball, or Half Back Flank. (* especially if someone plays 'centre' or 'rover')

Please Read Carefully before contributing:

Please be serious, no stupid nominations, please give a detailed reason as to why (this should be no less than 100 words) it should include a bio of games, goals, relevant averages, positions played, leadership roles and an opinion piece on how they played and what they contributed to the Western Bulldogs Football Club and why they should be immortalised over others.

* The following post (post 2 in this thread) shall be updated while I'm alive with the squad.
* Every decade ending, starting from 2020 the squad shall be placed in the best team available from the squad and updated every decade ending.

Refresher on the criteria for selection.

[bulldogtragic]

I just realised, that Ryan Griffen makes the team on a technicality. Rules above state two wins of the Charles Sutton Medal get the player entry into the squad. So he's in, on the bench, until such time as other nominations squeeze the squad and consensus is he's out.

[Bulldog4life]

I just realised, that Ryan Griffen makes the team on a technicality. Rules above state two wins of the Charles Sutton Medal get the player entry into the squad. So he's in, until such time as other nominations and consensus is he's out.

Played some great games for us.

[bulldogtragic]

Played some great games for us.

He's 2016 pre-lim was a cracker. :D

[KT31]

I just realised, that Ryan Griffen makes the team on a technicality. Rules above state two wins of the Charles Sutton Medal get the player entry into the squad. So he's in, on the bench, until such time as other nominations squeeze the squad and consensus is he's out.

Don't recall anyone ever being on our list by that name, you sure you have the right club BT ?:)

[Twodogs]

Don't recall anyone ever being on our list by that name, you sure you have the right club BT ?:)

Brian Who???

[Happy Days]

Dicko is in the team as it sits - his 2015-16 are better years than any forward we've had other than Brown, Johnson and Hall.

[Happy Days]

Dicko is in the team as it sits - his 2015-16 are better years than any forward we've had other than Brown, Johnson and Hall.

Nomination - Tory Dickson

His best footy was better than any forward this century bar three. Given the forward line has six positions he should be in the side

[bulldogtragic]

Nomination - Tory Dickson

His best footy was better than any forward this century bar three. Given the forward line has six positions he should be in the side

Done.

To flesh it out:

Tory Dickson: Current 103 games, and 165 goals at an amazing 65% accuracy. 2015 50 goals (12 BH), 2016 40 goals (17 BH).

4 goals in the 2016 prelim. 3 goals in the 2016 Grand Final.

Recruited with pick 57 in 2011.

AFL Premiership Player 2016
Brad Johnson Best Team Player 2015
VFL Premiership Player 2014
Best First Year Player 2012

[bulldogtragic]

From the close of nominations 2020 (20 years of 100 years in):

B: R. Murphy (c) B. Lake D. Morris ------ 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith E. Wood L. Gilbee ------ 623* Games, 389 Goals
C: N. Eagleton S. West M. Bontempelli ------ 660* Games, 296* Goals
HF: T. Dickson C. Grant A. Cooney ------ 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson Vacant D. Giansiracusa ------ 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy M. Boyd L. Picken ------ 701 Games, 338 Goals
Int: W. Minson R. Hargrave R. Griffen J. Macrae ------ 737* Games, 282* Goals


Games: 4,764* (average 216 games) --- Goals: 3,331* (Still 1 Vacancy)

From 2000> - B&F: 17 — AA: 17 (2 Captains) — Club Captains: 7 — 300+ Game Players: 5 — Premiership Players 7

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 110 H&A Games, 60 wins/50 losses (55.2%), 6 Finals for 4 wins/2 losses (66.6%), 1 X Premiership

Still Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: JJ, Hunter, Libba, Daniel, Wallis & Cross

The team looks really solid to me, across all lines. Still missing a full forward after 19 years, but we have have time to find one (just 8 decades). Some very good small, medium and tall defenders with great skills. A mobile goal kicking ruck, an AA ruckman as back up. A great midfield with many and varied strengthes and a nimble forwardline, who kick serious amounts of goals, around Chris Grant. It's really shaping up nicely as it moves in a few years to dropping players out of the squad as new players maybe take the places of existing players.

Updated with Dickson to Retirement.

This process has now been underway for 8 years by many, many WOOF contributors now. The integrity of the process has delivered a strong, deliberative and well reasoned outcome by having a strong team that now covers over 20 years. With 21 of the 22 players locked in - the Full Forward position - we are going to need to take players out, to bring in any new players. With JJ, Hunter, Libba, Daniel, Wallis & Cross available. I’m going to propose a new option of reviewing any retired and/or moved on players and if they are not placed into the team by the consensus majority rule, then they will drop off the list of eligible players (ie they won’t be playing any more good games to get in)

[bornadog]

It would be great to see how many of these players are still in at the end of the Century. :D :D

[bulldogtragic]

It would be great to see how many of these players are still in at the end of the Century. :D :D

With advances in medicine and stem cells we will. :D

[bornadog]

With advances in medicine and stem cells we will. :D

and Bevo will still be coaching :D

[Twodogs]

It would be great to see how many of these players are still in at the end of the Century. :D :D

I hope we are still around and well enough to still be arguing about it.

I wonder who our oldest supporter was in the year 2000 and how far back they remembered? My nanna used to tell me that all the girls in Footscray liked Joe Marmo back in the day. She was born in 1900 so her memories went back to the pre VFL days.

[bulldogtragic]

This process has now been underway for 8 years by many, many WOOF contributors now. The integrity of the process has delivered a strong, deliberative and well reasoned outcome by having a strong team that now covers over 20 years. With 21 of the 22 players locked in - the Full Forward position - we are going to need to take players out, to bring in any new players. With JJ, Hunter, Libba, Daniel, Wallis & Cross available having achieved 100+ games for this club as the key eligibility rule. I’m going to propose a new option of reviewing any retired and/or moved on players and if they are not placed into the team by the consensus majority rule, then they will drop off the list of eligible players (ie they won’t be playing any more good games to get in). This is just a bump now to think about any new promotions into The Team of the Century, and in the bye period discuss whether any new players deserve promotion, and then consequently who gets demoted. I will bump it again in a few weeks.


From the close of nominations 2020 (21 years of 100 years)

B: R. Murphy (c) B. Lake D. Morris ------ 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith E. Wood L. Gilbee ------ 686, Games*, 392 Goals*
C: N. Eagleton S. West M. Bontempelli ------ 700 Games*, 431 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson C. Grant A. Cooney ------ 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson Vacant D. Giansiracusa ------ 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy M. Boyd L. Picken ------ 701 Games, 338 Goals
Int: W. Minson R. Hargrave R. Griffen J. Macrae ------ 765 Games*, 258 Goals*

Missed: J. Roughead M. Hahn M. Robbins S. Higgins L. Dahlhaus J. McMahon

Games: 4,881* (average 221 games) --- Goals: 3,438* (Still 1 Vacancy)

Numbers current to R.10 2021

From 2000> - B&F: 17 — AA: 22 (2 Captains) — Club Captains: 7 — 300+ Game Players: 5 — Premiership Players 7

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 137 H&A Games, 79 wins/58 losses (57.7%), 6 Finals for 4 wins/3 losses (57.1%), 1 X Premiership

Still Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: JJ, Hunter, Libba, Daniel, Wallis & Cross

The team looks really solid to me, across all lines. Could it get stronger again? We are still missing a full forward after 19 years, but we have time to find one (just 8 decades). Some very good small, medium and tall defenders with great skills. A mobile goal kicking ruck, an AA ruckman as back up. A great midfield with many and varied strengthes and a nimble forwardline, who kick serious amounts of goals, around Chris Grant. It's really shaping up nicely as it moves in a few years to dropping players out of the squad as new players maybe take the places of existing players. The sooner Aaron Naughton plays 37 more games the sooner we fill our Full Forward.

[EasternWest]

Bit early to have Roarke Smith in there.

[jazzadogs]

Tom Liberatore
Nominated for Liam Picken's midfield role (Picken to bench)

Debut 2011

158 games, 55 goals (to Rd 10 2021)

1x Premiership (2016)
1x Charles Sutton Medal (2014)
Scott West Most Courageous Award - Western Bulldogs : 2016
Doug Hawkins Medal - Western Bulldogs: 2013
Gary Dempsey Medal - Western Bulldogs: 2020
Western Bulldogs Tony Liberatore Most Improved Player Award: 2012
Chris Grant Medal - Western Bulldogs Best First Year Player: 2011
John Van Groningen Domestique Award - Western Bulldogs: 2020
2x Brad Johnson Best Team Player - Western Bulldogs: 2014, 2020

Libba has been an essential part of our club for the past 10 years. Despite having his 2015 and 2018 seasons ruined by injury, Libba has persisted and got himself back in to career-best form in 2021. He leads the competition in clearances, is ranked by the AFL rankings as the third best player in the league and would be arguably beating the best player in the competition for our best and fairest.

Libba debuted against the Bombers in Rd 1 2011, kicking things off the way they would go on with 7 clearances, and in game 2 he had 28 touches with 10 tackles against the Lions. He played 16 games in his debut season and won the best first year player award at the club, before following up with another 17 games in season 2, continuing to develop his role as an essential part of our young midfield. Nobody typified the Mccartney 'crack in' years better than Libba - with the only issue being the way he was 'cracking in' off field as well. Libba was suspended by the club following round 17 2012 and missed the final six games, after being found unconscious on King St.

In 2013 he was on a mission of redemption, and boy did he redeem himself. He finished 2nd in the best and fairest, lead the league in clearances and polled 14 Brownlow votes (his highest tally).

He was one of few shining lights in 2014, when he won his first Charles Sutton medal. He lead the league in tackles (including a run of 14,12,10,14,10) and was part of the AA squad. It was devastating for fans, and undoubtedly for Tom, when he ruptured his ACL in a pre-season game at Whitten Oval in 2015, ruling him out of Luke Beveridge's first season in charge.

We would not have won our 2016 flag without Libba. A heart and soul player, he was our midfield bull all year. He suffered another potentially season-ending injury in Rd 19 when he damaged his syndesmosis, but made an extraordinary recovery to be back for the finals series where he played a key role in the starting midfield - although he almost missed the GF after injuring his ankle again in the frantic on-field celebrations in western Sydney. He came 4th in the B&F in this enormous year in the club's history.
EF v Eagles 22d, 6cl, 3t, 1 goal
SF v Hawks 20d, 4cl, 4t
PF v giants 15d 5cl 7t
GF v Swans 22d 8cl 8t, 100*

Libba's 2017 season was a low point, as the team slumped around him and he was actually dropped in round 8. He then tore his ACL again in Rd 1 2018, and many wondered whether we would ever get the B&F winning bull back on the field. His 2019 season did not allay those fears, as he was once again average and missed out on top 10 in the B&F.

In 2020 we got our man back. He finished 3rd in the B&F, as well as the Domestique and the Best Team Player award.

Some career highs:
Tackles - 19 Rd 8 2016 vs Melbourne
Clearances - 14 Rd 22 2013 v Brisbane
Disposals - surprisingly has only had 30+ 11 times in his career - highest being 36 in both 2013 fixtures against Melbourne
Goals - 3 rd11 2016 v WC (including the matchwinner)

[bulldogtragic]

Amazing nomination post!!

[bulldogtragic]

Jazza, a follow up.

Your nomination is Libba, Picken to the bench. The bench is:

Int: W. Minson R. Hargrave R. Griffen J. Macrae

Who do you nominate Picken to replace as a domino effect?

[jazzadogs]

Jazza, a follow up.

Your nomination is Libba, Picken to the bench. The bench is:

Int: W. Minson R. Hargrave R. Griffen J. Macrae

Who do you nominate Picken to replace as a domino effect?

Well if I can be sneaky I think your initial rules state the bench is the number of current bench players +3, so he can just take one of the spares ;)

Otherwise it gets a lot harder. The nature of Griffen's departure rules him ineligible for a team of the century in my broken heart, despite the number of sublime games that he played for us.

[bulldogtragic]

Well if I can be sneaky I think your initial rules state the bench is the number of current bench players +3, so he can just take one of the spares ;)

Otherwise it gets a lot harder. The nature of Griffen's departure rules him ineligible for a team of the century in my broken heart, despite the number of sublime games that he played for us.

You read the rules, I’m damn impressed!! I’m changing them to move us into the hard phase and for the analytical debate.

So: Libba into the team (again great nomination post), Picken to the bench and Griffen dropped for ever more.

Proposed Int: W. Minson R. Hargrave L. Picken J. Macrae


I second the motion. Libba has now got the runs on the board for me. Recently breaking the most games of 12+ clearances (14 games). He’s a good shot at goal too. For all the reasons Jazza says, I agree.

I also agree Picken is the best like for like out. Picken was not only a solid midfielder and best tagged in the comp, but under Bevo he was a high flying goal kicking machine. For that he must stay in the bench. I want a second ruck, extra defender and Macrae. It’s a hard call, but I also agree that Griffen is the unlucky man to drop out of the 22 for ever more.

For those interested in informing the decision or offering alternate decisions, please contribute with some analysis or your experience in watching some or all.

[soupman]

Two comments.



- The amount of players named on the interchange shall be the number of the current year (4), then as at year 2100.
- Any "subs" or similar shall be included into the interchange bench.

Based on the above I believe there should be a medical sub position available. So Griffen if dropped should only fall to the medical sub position.

Also I agree Libba pushes Picken out, however considering Johnson is nominated as a "forward" and played much of his career as our primary target i think you could justify he is the best full forward option available, allowing Picken to take a forward spot as well and keep Griffen in the 22.

Unsure if that's being a touch cheeky with the position rules or not.

[bulldogtragic]

Two comments.



Based on the above I believe there should be a medical sub position available. So Griffen if dropped should only fall to the medical sub position.

Also I agree Libba pushes Picken out, however considering Johnson is nominated as a "forward" and played much of his career as our primary target i think you could justify he is the best full forward option available, allowing Picken to take a forward spot as well and keep Griffen in the 22.

Unsure if that's being a touch cheeky with the position rules or not.

The original rules state dubs are absorbed into the bench. Johnson was nominated and accepted as a ‘forward/half forward’, not full forward.

The hard part starts now and for 78 years. We can’t put all the very good players in. I think within 3 years there’s going to be some very, very, very hard decisions.

[Twodogs]

The original rules state dubs are absorbed into the bench. Johnson was nominated and accepted as a ‘forward/half forward’, not full forward.

The hard part starts now and for 78 years. We can’t put all the very good players in. I think within 3 years there’s going to be some very, very, very hard decisions.


You think that this is complicated? Wait until I get Unleashed/Bulldog Heritage Volumes 1 & 2/Mark Pennings 19th Century Football Histories out and start working on the First 75 Years TOC!


Dolly Aked or Con McCarthy? Jack Hutchinson or Roy Park? Hmmmm...

[westdog54]

The original rules state dubs are absorbed into the bench. Johnson was nominated and accepted as a ‘forward/half forward’, not full forward.

The hard part starts now and for 78 years. We can’t put all the very good players in. I think within 3 years there’s going to be some very, very, very hard decisions.

All we need to do is keep the 'squad' list updated so that those who follow in our footsteps have all the info they need to make the final decision.

[bulldogtragic]

All we need to do is keep the 'squad' list updated so that those who follow in our footsteps have all the info they need to make the final decision.

Will add the ‘missed list category’ for all 100+ gamers.

[bulldogtragic]

I just had another look at the previous TOTC. They went with 6 on the interchange. For consistency, I will increase our bench to 6. That means Tom Liberatore is hereby inducted into our ongoing TOTC. Meaning in the first TOTC Tony Liberatore made the cut, and in our ongoing TOTC his son Tom Liberatore has also made it. Great nomination Jazza, well done.


Team Of The Century - 22 Years of 100 Years

B: R. Murphy (c) - B. Lake - D. Morris ——— 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith - E. Wood - L. Gilbee ——— 686 Games*, 392 Goals*
C: N. Eagleton - S. West - M. Bontempelli ——— 702 Games*, 433 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson - C. Grant (vc) - A. Cooney ——— 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson - Vacant - D. Giansiracusa ——— 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy - M. Boyd - T. Liberatore ——— 678 Games*, 326 Goals*
Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen ——— 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant ——— 369 Games*, 126 Goals*

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 139 H&A Games, 80 wins/59 losses (57.6%), 7 Finals Games for 4 wins/3 losses (57.1%), 1 X Premiership

Captain: Robert Murphy (41 Games Club Captain, 2015-2017)
Vice Captain: Chris Grant (67 Games Club Captain, 2001-2004)


Full TOTC Squad:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: J. Johannisen, L. Hunter, C. Daniel & M. Wallis

Made Team, But Demoted Later:
Missed Team: D. Cross - J. Roughead - M. Hahn - M. Robbins - S. Higgins - L. Dahlhaus - J. McMahon

———

Our TOTC Stats & Details:

Games: 5,073* (Average 230 games, for the 22 Players - Still 2 Vacancies & 4 Players Still Playing)
Goals: 3,584* (Still 2 Vacancies)
Best & Fairest Wins: 19
All Australian Selections: 22
All Australian Captain Selections: 2
Club Captains: 8 of 8
Brownlow Medalist: 1
300+ Game Players: 5
Premiership Players: 8
AFL Hall of Fame: 3
Club Legends: 1
Club Hall of Fame: 3
1900-1999 TOTC Players: 3 (C. Grant, S. West & B. Johnson)
Father/Sons Across Both TOTC: 1 (Tony & Tom Liberatore)



Note: Stats current to Round 12, 2021

[bulldogtragic]

The annual (except last year) bye round TOTC nomination period is now open. Only four players are left, all highly decorated, are eligible for nomination. They are: J. Johannisen, L. Hunter, C. Daniel & M. Wallis.

If there are no nominations then the below team sheet will be the WOOF TOTC until next year. If there are nomination/s (per the nomination format) then we will work on including them in the team.

Current:

Team Of The Century - 22 Years of 100 Years

B: R. Murphy (c) - B. Lake - D. Morris ——— 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith - E. Wood - L. Gilbee ——— 686 Games*, 392 Goals*
C: N. Eagleton - S. West - M. Bontempelli ——— 702 Games*, 433 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson - C. Grant (vc) - A. Cooney ——— 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson - Vacant - D. Giansiracusa ——— 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy - M. Boyd - T. Liberatore ——— 678 Games*, 326 Goals*
Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen ——— 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant ——— 369 Games*, 126 Goals*

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 139 H&A Games, 80 wins/59 losses (57.6%), 7 Finals Games for 4 wins/3 losses (57.1%), 1 X Premiership

Captain: Robert Murphy (41 Games Club Captain, 2015-2017)
Vice Captain: Chris Grant (67 Games Club Captain, 2001-2004)


Full TOTC Squad:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: J. Johannisen, L. Hunter, C. Daniel & M. Wallis

Made Team, But Demoted Later:
Missed Team: D. Cross - J. Roughead - M. Hahn - M. Robbins - S. Higgins - L. Dahlhaus - J. McMahon

———

Our TOTC Stats & Details:

Games: 5,073* (Average 230 games, for the 22 Players - Still 2 Vacancies & 4 Players Still Playing)
Goals: 3,584* (Still 2 Vacancies & 4 Players Still Playing)

Best & Fairest Wins: 21 - Bontempelli x 4, West x 4, Boyd x 3, Johnson x 2, Griffen x 2, Darcy, Lake, Wood, Daniel, Liberatore, Hunter

All Australian Selections: 32 - Bontempelli x 4, Macrae x 3, West x 4, Johnson x 4, Boyd x 3, Lake x 2, Murphy x 2, Darcy, Smith, Gilbee, Morris, Cooney, Griffen, Minson, Wood, Daniel, Dale

All Australian Captain Selections: 2 - Johnson, Murphy
Club Captains: 8 of 8 - Grant, Darcy, Johnson, Boyd, Griffen, Murphy, Wood, Bontempelli
Brownlow Medalist: 1 - Adam Cooney
300+ Game Players: 5 - Grant, West, Smith, Johnson, Murphy
Premiership Players: 8 - Picken, Boyd, Bontempelli, Wood, Liberatore, Macrae, Morris, Dickson
AFLPA Best Captain: 2 - Murphy, Bontempelli
AFLPA MVP: 2 - Darcy, Bontempelli
AFL Hall of Fame: 3 - Grant, West, Johnson
Club Legends: 1 - Chris Grant
Club Hall of Fame: 3 - Grant, West, Johnson
1900-1999 TOTC Players: 3 (C. Grant, S. West & B. Johnson)
Father/Sons Across Both TOTC: 1 (Tony & Tom Liberatore)



Note: Stats current to Round 12, 2021

[Twodogs]

Put Caleb Daniel on the bench I reckon. IMO He belongs in the team, I can't think which defender goes out and we can't play him at full forward (even though he's probably find a way to make it work)

[1eyedog]

Bont for captain! Controversial?

[bulldogtragic]

Put Caleb Daniel on the bench I reckon. IMO He belongs in the team, I can't think which defender goes out and we can't play him at full forward (even though he's probably find a way to make it work)

See Jazza’s nomination of Tom Liberatore above. That’s the type nomination post needed. Rules are rules. It might take a while though, Caleb has a great CV.

[bulldogtragic]

Bont for captain! Controversial?

I opened up a post with poll two weeks back. The results were Bob & Turtle. Maybe next year?

[1eyedog]

Won't be long.

[bulldogtragic]

Won't be long.

A bit surprised he didn’t get the VC at a minimum. But with at least 4.5 years, I think he will have it until the end of the century.

[bulldogtragic]

#4 Marcus Bontempelli, Age 25, 168* Games, 152* Goals, 9* Finals, 2014-Current, Contracted to 2025, Midfielder, 193cm, 93kg, from Northern Knights (Vic).

Nominated for: Centre
Alternatives (in order of preference): Ruck-Rover, Rover, Wing

Achievements/Awards:

Young Bontempelli

Rising Star Nomination: 2014
Runner Up Rising Star (robbed of it by 1 vote, see below): 2014
AFLPA Best First Year Player (by the biggest ever margin): 2014
Chris Grant Best First Year Player: 2014
AFLCA Best Young Player: 2015
Youngest ever captain to captain a side to a victory in AFL/VFL history (20 years, 194 days): 2017
Included in each of his five eligible years to the best under 22 side: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018. Captain in 2016, 2017 & 2018.


Middle Career Bontempelli

All Australian: 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021
All Australian Squad: 2017
AFLCA Champion Player: 2019
Herald Sun Player on the Year: 2019
State of Origin: 2020
AFLCA Champion Player Runner Up: 2021
AFLPA MVP & Best Captain: 2021 (Only Chris Judd & Michael Voss have done this)
Runner Up Brownlow: 2021 (33 Votes, enough to have won in any other year, but 3)

Charles Suttton Medal (B&F): 2016, 2017, 2019 & 2021
Doug Hawkins Medal (2nd in B&F): 2020
Gary Dempsey Medal (3rd in B&F): 2015 & 2018
Top 3 from 2015 to 2020 (6 Seasons)
John van Groningen Domestique Award: 2019 & 2021
Scott West Most Courageous: 2020

Best & Fairest (back to back, and youngest to ever do it at the club): 2017
57 Career Brownlow votes (while still on his P Plates): 2017

Premiership Player: 2016
Best & Fairest, and in a Premiership Year: 2016 (equaling Ted Whitten at the club, the youngest in the VFL/AFL to achieve this since Leigh Matthews in 1971)
Best & Fairest, Grand Final Year 2021 (both Grand Final seasons he’s played in)

Vice Captain: 2018, 2019
Club Captain: 2020, 2021, ongoing
Grand Final Club Captain: 2021 (25 Disposals, 3 Goals)


Drafted at pick 4, Marcus made an impact from the get go. A tall midfielder, equally as dangerous as a KPF. A rising star after a handful of games, and one of the best goals we've ever seen deep in the forward pocket against Melbourne made everyone take notice of him. His achievements say much more than I can add to his narrative. So I'll focus on the moments he helped to deliver us a premiership by doing things that past players have not done in knock out finals.

So, against the reigning premiers Hawthorn on the big stage of the MCG in front of 90,000 fans he lined up on the Hawthorn captain, Luke Hodge, and in two key plays made an amazing intercept of a Hodge handball and got the ball back to hit up Tory Dickson deep inside 50. The other play on Hodge was a great contested mark where he with casual disdain swept Hodge out of the way for a crucial inside 50 mark. Commentators would posit that Bonts took the baton off Hidge that night. And a great win.

Then, for those old enough to remember 1997 prelim final, where Mark West was running into goal with space for an easy shot that missed, we have imprinted moments where we choked. Enter a great play in the 2016 prelim final vs GWS, at GWS, Bonts gets the kick near him running towards goal late in the last quarter. He at pace, but with caution, collects to ball runs at goals, runs passed 50 like Mark West in 1997, but instead kicked it right through the middle. Having come back from 3 goals down, his finishing vanquished the demons for a lot of us who have never experienced winning a prelim final.

At the same age, Bonts has had more Brownlow Votes that Gary Ablett Jr or Nat Fyffe at the same age. With more development and no doubt captaincy to come, there's little doubt Bonts will continue to smash club records and VFL/AFL records. With hopefully another 200 games, I doubt Bonts will ever be dislodged from the TOTC. And so I nominate him.

I’ve had to update his nomination. He’s making my life far too busy. He hasn’t hit his absolute best yet.

[azabob]

I’ve had to update his nomination. He’s making my life far too busy. He hasn’t hit his absolute best yet.

Jeez I hope we stop wasting his years and start wining silverware.

[bulldogtragic]

Jeez I hope we stop wasting his years and start wining silverware.

I hope so. Just the players his achievements join him with already: Judd, Voss, Matthews (prick) & Whitten. Just spectacular. He’s going to get better still. I hope we bring in players that enhance his game (good ruck especially) so we get more silverware ASAP.

[bulldogtragic]

The annual (except last year) bye round TOTC nomination period is now open LATE. There are players are left, some highly decorated, are eligible for nomination. They are: J. Johannisen, L. Hunter, C. Daniel, M. Wallis, Z. Cordy, B. Williams, J. Dunkley & B. Dale.

If there are no nominations over the next week or two then the below team sheet will be the WOOF TOTC until next year. If there are nomination/s (per the nomination format) then we will work on including them in the team.

Current:

Team Of The Century - 23 Years of 100 Years

B: R. Murphy (c) - B. Lake - D. Morris ——— 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith - E. Wood - L. Gilbee ——— 686 Games, 392 Goals
C: N. Eagleton - S. West - M. Bontempelli ——— 724 Games*, 457 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson - C. Grant (vc) - A. Cooney ——— 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson - Vacant - D. Giansiracusa ——— 629 Games, 889 Goals
R: L. Darcy - M. Boyd - T. Liberatore ——— 900 Games*, 335 Goals*
Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen ——— 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant ——— 392 Games*, 130 Goals*

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 171 H&A Games, 97 wins/74 losses (56.7%), 12 Finals Games for 7 wins/5 losses (58.3%), 1 X Premiership

Captain: Robert Murphy (41 Games Club Captain, 2015-2017)
Vice Captain: Chris Grant (67 Games Club Captain, 2001-2004)


Full TOTC Squad:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: J. Johannisen, L. Hunter, C. Daniel, M. Wallis, Z. Cordy, B. Williams, B. Dale & J. Dunkley

Made Team, But Demoted Later:
Missed Team: D. Cross - J. Roughead - M. Hahn - M. Robbins - S. Higgins - L. Dahlhaus - J. McMahon

———

Our TOTC Stats & Details:

Games: 5,140* (Average 230 games, for the 22 Players - Still 2 Vacancies & 4 Players Still Playing)
Goals: 3,621* (Still 2 Vacancies & 4 Players Still Playing)

Best & Fairest Wins: 21 - Bontempelli x 4, West x 4, Boyd x 3, Johnson x 2, Griffen x 2, Darcy, Lake, Wood, Daniel, Liberatore, Hunter

All Australian Selections: 32 - Bontempelli x 4, Macrae x 3, West x 4, Johnson x 4, Boyd x 3, Lake x 2, Murphy x 2, Darcy, Smith, Gilbee, Morris, Cooney, Griffen, Minson, Wood, Daniel, Dale

All Australian Captain Selections: 2 - Johnson, Murphy
Club Captains: 8 of 8 - Grant, Darcy, Johnson, Boyd, Griffen, Murphy, Wood, Bontempelli
Brownlow Medalist: 1 - Adam Cooney
300+ Game Players: 5 - Grant, West, Smith, Johnson, Murphy
Premiership Players: 8 - Picken, Boyd, Bontempelli, Wood, Liberatore, Macrae, Morris, Dickson
AFLPA Best Captain: 2 - Murphy, Bontempelli
AFLPA MVP: 2 - Darcy, Bontempelli
AFL Hall of Fame: 3 - Grant, West, Johnson
Club Legends: 1 - Chris Grant
Club Hall of Fame: 3 - Grant, West, Johnson
1900-1999 TOTC Players: 3 (C. Grant, S. West & B. Johnson)
Father/Sons Across Both TOTC: 1 (Tony & Tom Liberatore)



Note: Stats current to EF, 2022

[bulldogtragic]

If Wallis misses again, and Dunkley is traded they will be taken off the board, along with any player who leaves the club this off season without a nomination.

[bornadog]

I really can't see anyone that should be nominated at this stage, so I would prefer to hang on for now and see what happens next year.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Bont for captain! Controversial?

Since you kindly offered, Johnno for me. He carried the captainship easily and I like the Bont to be free just to play not present his face. Let them have Johnno's smile.

[Jeanette54]

I would like to see Clay Smith nominated for interchange; the team could always do with a bit of added mongrel.

[bulldogtragic]

I would like to see Clay Smith nominated for interchange; the team could always do with a bit of added mongrel.

I wish he hit the 100 game mark to make the team. But, Will 'White Line Fever' Minson, Shaggy with his great punching ability (ask Heath Black - easily the best 3 week suspension earned) and Liam Picken will have to flay the flag off the bench at this point.

Next year, if Naughton, stays fit to 100+ games, we might actually have an opportunity to nominate a full forward! After 24 seasons!!!

[soupman]

I wish he hit the 100 game mark to make the team. But, Will 'White Line Fever' Minson, Shaggy with his great punching ability (ask Heath Black - easily the best 3 week suspension earned) and Liam Picken will have to flay the flag off the bench at this point.

Next year, if Naughton, stays fit to 100+ games, we might actually have an opportunity to nominate a full forward! After 24 seasons!!!

Naughtons 100th was in the Freo Final. He is eligible.

[bulldogtragic]

Well then, proper nominations available this year are:

A. Naughton, J. Johannisen, L. Hunter, C. Daniel, M. Wallis, Z. Cordy, B. Williams, B. Dale & J. Dunkley

[bulldogtragic]

#33 Aaron Naughton, 100* games, 147* goals, 2018-Current, Wing, 195cm, 93kg, drafted from Peel Thunder, Western Australia.

Nominated for: Full Forward
Alternatives for: Centre Half Forward

Achievements (To Date):

AFLPA (Best) 22 Under 22: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
2018 Rising Star Nominee (Round 23)
2018 Chris Grant Best First Year Player Award (also placing fourth in the Best & Fairest in his first year)
2019 Locker Group Coaches Award
2021 Grand Final Team
2021 Scott West Most Courageous Award 2021 (Grand Final Year)
2021 Runner Up, Leading Goal Kicker (one off equal top spot)
2022 Gary Dempsey Medal (3rd in the Best & Fairest)
2022 Club Leading Goal Kicker (11th Overall for the Competition)

Drafted at Pick 9 in 2017 AFL Draft.

Originally drafted as an attacking elite intercept defender. Naughton would excel in the role in his first year at the club, playing 18 games in his debut year in which he won the Best First Year Player Award and finished 4th in the Best & Fairest. Before switching ends of the ground in his second season to Full Forward, being the 2019 Season.

In an early game of the 2019 Season, Naughton as a then 19 year old, ripped his Richmond opponents apart kicking 5 Goals and taking 9 Contested Marks (14 marks in total), just one the record set by Wayne Carey decades earlier. The Richmond remarked after the game; “We could’ve had Jesus Christ playing down there tonight and I reckon he would’ve struggled on him."

Naughton would fast become a fan favourite and excitement machine with aerial marking skills seldom seen at AFL level. Naughton would play in the 2021 Final Series including the AFL Grand Final, at Full Forward, at the age of just 21. In 2022 he would finish 11th in the AFL Goal Kicking with 51 Goals, 34 Behinds for the season.

In just five seasons he has racked up 100 games, and 147 goals. And is yet to have his 23rd Birthday. Note also he has kicked 145 Goals in just 82 Games since becoming a Full Forward. And as a nod to his leadership within the playing group, Naughton was elevated into the club's leadership group at just age 22.

This nomination is only going to get more crammed full of achievements to more Naughton plays.

At the time of this nomination, Naughton had already risen to the 35th Highest Goal Kicker in the entire history of the FFC/WBFC.

[bulldogtragic]

The annual (except last year) bye round TOTC nomination period is now closed for 2022. With only Aaron Naughton nominated into the team.

Current:

Team Of The Century - 23 Years of 100 Years

B: R. Murphy (c) - B. Lake - D. Morris ——— 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith - E. Wood - L. Gilbee ——— 686 Games, 392 Goals
C: N. Eagleton - S. West - M. Bontempelli ——— 738 Games*, 467 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson - C. Grant (vc) - A. Cooney ——— 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson - A. Naughton - D. Giansiracusa ——— 743 Games*, 1,063 Goals*
R: L. Darcy - M. Boyd - T. Liberatore ——— 913 Games*, 341 Goals*
Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen ——— 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant ——— 496Games*, 136 Goals*

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 185 H&A Games, 105 wins/80 losses (56.8%), 12 Finals Games for 7 wins/5 losses (58.3%), 1 X Premiership

Captain: Robert Murphy (41 Games Club Captain, 2015-2017)
Vice Captain: Chris Grant (67 Games Club Captain, 2001-2004)


Full TOTC Squad:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: J. Johannisen, C. Daniel, B. Williams, T. McLean, & B. Dale (T. English, E. Richards & B. Smith just short this year)

Made Team, But Demoted Later:
Missed Team: D. Cross - J. Roughead - M. Hahn - M. Robbins - S. Higgins - L. Dahlhaus - J. McMahon - M. Wallis - L. Hunter - J. Dunkley - Z. Cordy

———

Our TOTC Stats & Details:

Games: 5,255* (Average 228 games, for the 23 Players - Still 1 Vacancy & 4 Players Still Playing)
Goals: 3,825* (Still 1 Vacancy & 4 Players Still Playing)

Best & Fairest Wins: 20 - Bontempelli x 4, West x 4, Boyd x 3, Johnson x 2, Griffen x 2, L. Darcy, Lake, Wood, Daniel, Liberatore

All Australian Selections: 32 - Bontempelli x 4, Macrae x 3, West x 4, Johnson x 4, Boyd x 3, Lake x 2, Murphy x 2, L. Darcy, Smith, Gilbee, Morris, Cooney, Griffen, Minson, Wood, Daniel, Dale

All Australian Captain Selections: 2 - Johnson, Murphy
Club Captains: 8 of 8 - Grant, L. Darcy, Johnson, Boyd, Griffen, Murphy, Wood, Bontempelli
Brownlow Medalist: 1 - Adam Cooney
300+ Game Players: 5 - Grant, West, Smith, Johnson, Murphy
Premiership Players: 8 - Picken, Boyd, Bontempelli, Wood, Liberatore, Macrae, Morris, Dickson
AFLPA Best Captain: 2 - Murphy, Bontempelli
AFLPA MVP: 2 - L. Darcy, Bontempelli
AFL Hall of Fame: 3 - Grant, West, Johnson
Club Legends: 2 - Chris Grant, B. Johnson
Club Hall of Fame: 7 - Grant, West, B. Johnson, Darcy, Smith, Morris, M. Boyd, B. Murphy
1900-1999 TOTC Players: 3 (C. Grant, S. West & B. Johnson)
Father/Sons Across Both TOTC: 1 (Tony & Tom Liberatore)



Note: Stats current Vs North, 19/6/2023

[bulldogtragic]

Injuries permitting, 2023, players could include Bailey Smith (84 games), Tim English (85), Ed Richards (85) & Toby McLean (96) being added to the ‘eligible list’ (100 games).

[bulldogtragic]

The annual bye round TOTC nomination period is now OPEN for 2023. If unfamiliar with the thread please read to OP for WOOF qualification rules and how you must nominate any players (nominations on the first few pages are excellent). Those available to be nominated this year are:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: J. Johannisen, C. Daniel, B. Williams, T. McLean, & B. Dale (T. English, E. Richards & B. Smith just short this year).

There is currently one vacancy on the interchange without needing to change the existing team.


Current:

Team Of The Century - 23 Years of 100 Years

B: R. Murphy (c) - B. Lake - D. Morris —— 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith - E. Wood - L. Gilbee —— 686 Games, 392 Goals
C: N. Eagleton - S. West - M. Bontempelli —— 738 Games*, 467 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson - C. Grant (vc) - A. Cooney —— 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson - A. Naughton - D. Giansiracusa —— 743 Games*, 1,063 Goals*
R: L. Darcy - M. Boyd - T. Liberatore —— 913 Games*, 341 Goals*
Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen —— 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant —— 496 Games*, 136 Goals*

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 185 H&A Games, 105 wins/80 losses (56.8%), 12 Finals Games for 7 wins/5 losses (58.3%), 1 X Premiership

Captain: Robert Murphy (41 Games Club Captain, 2015-2017)
Vice Captain: Chris Grant (67 Games Club Captain, 2001-2004)


Full TOTC Squad:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: J. Johannisen, C. Daniel, B. Williams, T. McLean, & B. Dale (T. English, E. Richards & B. Smith just short this year)

Made Team, But Demoted Later:
Missed Team: D. Cross - J. Roughead (PP) - M. Hahn - M. Robbins - S. Higgins - L. Dahlhaus (PP) - J. McMahon - M. Wallis - L. Hunter (PP, B&F) - J. Dunkley (PP, B&F) - Z. Cordy (PP)

——

Our TOTC Stats & Details:

Games: 5,255* (Average 228 games, for the 23 Players - Still 1 Vacancy & 4 Players Still Playing)
Goals: 3,825* (Still 1 Vacancy & 4 Players Still Playing)

Best & Fairest Wins: 20 - Bontempelli x 4, West x 4, Boyd x 3, Johnson x 2, Griffen x 2, L. Darcy, Lake, Wood, Daniel, Liberatore

All Australian Selections: 32 - Bontempelli x 4, Macrae x 3, West x 4, Johnson x 4, Boyd x 3, Lake x 2, Murphy x 2, L. Darcy, Smith, Gilbee, Morris, Cooney, Griffen, Minson, Wood, Daniel, Dale

All Australian Captain Selections: 2 - Johnson, Murphy
Club Captains: 8 of 8 - Grant, L. Darcy, Johnson, Boyd, Griffen, Murphy, Wood, Bontempelli
Brownlow Medalist: 1 - Adam Cooney
300+ Game Players: 5 - Grant, West, Smith, Johnson, Murphy
Premiership Players: 8 - Picken, Boyd, Bontempelli, Wood, Liberatore, Macrae, Morris, Dickson
AFLPA Best Captain: 2 - Murphy, Bontempelli
AFLPA MVP: 2 - L. Darcy, Bontempelli
AFL Hall of Fame: 3 - Grant, West, Johnson
Club Legends: 2 - Chris Grant, B. Johnson
Club Hall of Fame: 7 - Grant, West, B. Johnson, Darcy, Smith, Morris, M. Boyd, B. Murphy
1900-1999 TOTC Players: 3 (C. Grant, S. West & B. Johnson)
Father/Sons Across Both TOTC: 1 (Tony & Tom Liberatore)



Note: Stats current Vs North, 19/6/2023

[jazzadogs]

Move Naughton to FB, Lake to FF.

[bulldogtragic]

Move Naughton to FB, Lake to FF.

Lake to FF. I thought GVGjr banned you BMAC?

[bulldogtragic]

Just for obvious pointing out, non-nominated players include premiership players, All Australians, B&F and a Norm Smith winner. We obviously hold high standards to get into the WOOF TOTC.

[bulldogtragic]

Nominations for TOTC left open for only a few more days. Given JJ’s age (and three missing years as a forward) and McLean’s injuries and likely/possible delisting, if neither are nominated then both will move to the ‘missed the team’ list.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I think a discussion on Caleb Daniel being elevated to the vacant bench spot is warranted.

[EasternWest]

I think a discussion on Caleb Daniel being elevated to the vacant bench spot is warranted.

No because he gets EXPOSED week in, week out. Where is Happy Days anyway?

[bulldogtragic]

I think a discussion on Caleb Daniel being elevated to the vacant bench spot is warranted.

If he’s nominated in the required way, he will automatically take the last spot on the bench. A very handy ‘currently last picked TOTC’ nomination with his amazing CV.

[bulldogtragic]

The annual bye round TOTC nomination period is now CLOSED for 2023.

There has been ‘no change’ to the TOTC. Although Jason Johannisan & Toby McLean has now failed to make the team and has been both moved to the missed the team list accordingly. (Per earlier posting)


Current:

Team Of The Century - 24 Years of 100 Years

B: R. Murphy (c) - B. Lake - D. Morris — 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith - E. Wood - L. Gilbee — 686 Games, 392 Goals
C: N. Eagleton - S. West - M. Bontempelli — 747 Games*, 473 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson - C. Grant (vc) - A. Cooney — 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson - A. Naughton - D. Giansiracusa — 752 Games*, 1,081 Goals*
R: L. Darcy - M. Boyd - T. Liberatore — 921,Games*, 342 Goals*
Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen — 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant — 504 Games*, 137 Goals*

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 206 H&A Games, 116 wins/90 losses (56.3%), 12 Finals Games for 7 wins/5 losses (58.3%), 1 X Premiership

Captain: Robert Murphy (41 Games Club Captain, 2015-2017)
Vice Captain: Chris Grant (67 Games Club Captain, 2001-2004)


Full TOTC Squad:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: C. Daniel, B. Williams, B. Dale, T. English, E. Richards & B. Smith

Made Team, But Demoted Later: None as yet

Missed Team: D. Cross - J. Roughead (PP) - M. Hahn - M. Robbins - S. Higgins - L. Dahlhaus (PP) - J. McMahon - M. Wallis - L. Hunter (PP, B&F) - J. Dunkley (PP, B&F) - Z. Cordy (PP) - J. Johannisen (PP, Norm Smith Medalist), T. McLean (PP)

—

Our TOTC Stats & Details:

Games: 5,289* (Average 230 games, for the 23 Players - Still 1 Vacancy & 4 Players Still Playing)
Goals: 3,851* (Still 1 Vacancy & 4 Players Still Playing)

Best & Fairest Wins: 20 - M. Bontempelli x 5, S. West x 4, M. Boyd x 3, B. Johnson x 2, R. Griffen x 2, L. Darcy, B. Lake, E. Wood, T. Liberatore

All Australian Selections: 32 - M. Bontempelli x 5, S. West x 4, B.,Johnson x 4, M.,Boyd x 3, J. Macrae x 3, B. Lake x 2, R. Murphy x 2, L. Darcy, R. Smith, L. Gilbee, D. Morris, A. Cooney, R. Griffen, W. Minson, E. Wood, C. Daniel, B. Dale, T. English

All Australian Captain Selections: 2 - B. Johnson, R. Murphy
Club Captains: 8 of 8 - C. Grant, L. Darcy, B. Johnson, M. Boyd, R. Griffen, R. Murphy, E. Wood, M. Bontempelli
Brownlow Medalist: 1 - A. Cooney
300+ Game Players: 5 - C. Grant, S. West, R. Smith, B.,Johnson, R. Murphy
Premiership Players: 8 - L. Picken, M. Boyd, M. Bontempelli, E. Wood, T. Liberatore, J. Macrae, D. Morris, T. Dickson
AFLPA Best Captain: 3 - R. Murphy, M. Bontempelli x 2
AFLPA MVP: 3 - L. Darcy, M. Bontempelli x 2
AFL Hall of Fame: 3 - C. Grant, S. West, B. Johnson
Club Legends: 2 - C. Grant, B. Johnson
Club Hall of Fame: 7 - C. Grant, S. West, B. Johnson, L. Darcy, R. Smith, D. Morris, M. Boyd, R. Murphy
1900-1999 TOTC Players: 3 (C. Grant, S. West & B. Johnson)
Father/Sons Across Both TOTC: 1 (Tony & Tom Liberatore)



Note: Stats current to end of 2023 (inc. AA honours)

[bulldogtragic]

The annual bye round TOTC nomination period is now OPEN for 2024.


Current:

Team Of The Century - 25 Years of 100 Years

B: R. Murphy (vc) - B. Lake - D. Morris - 734 Games, 216 Goals
HB: R. Smith - E. Wood - L. Gilbee - 686 Games, 392 Goals
C: N. Eagleton - S. West - M. Bontempelli (c) - 771 Games*, 505 Goals*
HF: T. Dickson - C. Grant - A. Cooney - 679 Games, 921 Goals
F: B. Johnson - A. Naughton - D. Giansiracusa - 772 Games*, 1,116 Goals*
R: L. Darcy - M. Boyd - T. Liberatore - 939, Games*, 366 Goals*
Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen - 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant - 523 Games, 142 Goals

Coach: Luke Beveridge: 230 H&A Games, 130 wins/100 losses (56.5%), 13 Finals Games for 7 wins/6 losses (53.8%), 1 X Premiership, 1 X Grand Final (Loss) - Longest serving coach in club history

Captain: Marcus Bontempelli (122 Games* Club Captain, 2018-2024 - only behind S. Wynd 139 & E.J. Whitten 212 ahead in the full history of the club)
Vice Captain: Robert Murphy (41 Games Club Captain, 2015-2017)


Full TOTC Squad:

Eligible For Nomination, Having Met 100 Games Threshold: B. Williams, B. Dale, T. English, E. Richards & L. Jones

Made Team, But Demoted Later: None as yet

Missed Team: D. Cross - J. Roughead (PP) - M. Hahn - M. Robbins - S. Higgins - L. Dahlhaus (PP) - J. McMahon - M. Wallis - L. Hunter (PP, B&F) - J. Dunkley (PP, B&F) - Z. Cordy (PP) - J. Johannisen (PP, Norm Smith Medalist), T. McLean (PP), C. Daniel (PP, B&F), B. Smith (GF Player)

—

Our TOTC Stats & Details:

Games: 5,559* (Average 241 games, for the 23 Players - Still 1 Vacancy & 3 Players Still Playing)
Goals: 3,927* (Still 1 Vacancy & 3 Players Still Playing)

Best & Fairest Wins: 21 - M. Bontempelli x 6, S. West x 4, M. Boyd x 3, B. Johnson x 2, R. Griffen x 2, L. Darcy, B. Lake, E. Wood, T. Liberatore

All Australian Selections: 33 - M. Bontempelli x 6, S. West x 4, B.Johnson x 4, M.Boyd x 3, J. Macrae x 3, B. Lake x 2, R. Murphy x 2, L. Darcy, R. Smith, L. Gilbee, D. Morris, A. Cooney, R. Griffen, W. Minson, E. Wood, C. Daniel, B. Dale, T. English

All Australian Captain Selections: 3 - B. Johnson, R. Murphy, M. Bontempelli
Club Captains: 8 of 8 - C. Grant, L. Darcy, B. Johnson, M. Boyd, R. Griffen, R. Murphy, E. Wood, M. Bontempelli
Brownlow Medalist: 1 - A. Cooney
300+ Game Players: 5 - C. Grant, S. West, R. Smith, B.Johnson, R. Murphy
Premiership Players: 8 - L. Picken, M. Boyd, M. Bontempelli, E. Wood, T. Liberatore, J. Macrae, D. Morris, T. Dickson
AFLPA Best Captain: 4 - R. Murphy, M. Bontempelli x 3
AFLPA MVP: 4 - L. Darcy, M. Bontempelli x 3
AFL Hall of Fame: 3 - C. Grant, S. West, B. Johnson
Club Legends: 2 - C. Grant, B. Johnson
Club Hall of Fame: 7 - C. Grant, S. West, B. Johnson, L. Darcy, R. Smith, D. Morris, M. Boyd, R. Murphy
1900-1999 TOTC Players: 3 (C. Grant, S. West & B. Johnson)
Father/Sons Across Both TOTC: 1 (Tony & Tom Liberatore)



Note: Stats current to end of 2024.

[bulldogtragic]

So, 25 years into the 100 year team. This is what WOOF has come up with over the years. Available to join are (1 vacancy remains, then knock out):

C. Daniel (AA, PP), B. Williams, B. Dale (AA), T. English (AA), E. Richards & B. Smith

Any nominations as per the thread rules.

[jazzadogs]

Do I have to make a full post to nominate Bont to take over as captain, and demote Bob to vice?

He has now captained the club for over 100 games, and carries us on his back in most of those games.

[bulldogtragic]

Do I have to make a full post to nominate Bont to take over as captain, and demote Bob to vice?

He has now captained the club for over 100 games, and carries us on his back in most of those games.

Leave it with me.

Edit:

https://www.woof.net.au/forum/showthread.php?24389-Bulldog-TOTC-New-Captain

Bont is Captain
Bob is Vice Captain

[jazzadogs]

I'll write up a nomination for either Caleb or JJ to the vacant bench spot - undecided on who deserves it more! History will say the Norm Smith medallist...but I'm leaning towards Caleb.

[1eyedog]

I'll write up a nomination for either Caleb or JJ to the vacant bench spot - undecided on who deserves it more! History will say the Norm Smith medallist...but I'm leaning towards Caleb.

Dale is better than both of them.

[bulldogtragic]

Dale is better than both of them.

Put up a detailed nomination as Jazza is doing and the discussion of the bench gets real interesting, as I don’t think any can yet force their way in yet (my opinion only).

Currently the bench being:

Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen - 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant - 516 Games*, 140 Goals*

[comrade]

Recency bias is probably kicking in but Dale at his best is probably one of the best HB we?ve had in the past 20 odd years. I?d have him ahead of Shaggy.

[angelopetraglia]

Recency bias is probably kicking in but Dale at his best is probably one of the best HB we?ve had in the past 20 odd years. I?d have him ahead of Shaggy.

Bubba Smith retired in 2006. Does he count?

[bulldogtragic]

Bubba Smith retired in 2006. Does he count?

Have you read the team?

[angelopetraglia]

Have you read the team?

Apologies. No. Just reacting to the comment. I have seen it now.

[bulldogtragic]

Apologies. No. Just reacting to the comment. I have seen it now.

No need for apologies, just found it weird when he’s the starting HBF.

[1eyedog]

Put up a detailed nomination as Jazza is doing and the discussion of the bench gets real interesting, as I don’t think any can yet force their way in yet (my opinion only).

Currently the bench being:

Int: (1) W. Minson - (2) R. Hargrave - (3) R. Griffen - 596 Games, 280 Goals
Int: (4) J. Macrae - (5) L. Picken - (6) Vacant - 516 Games*, 140 Goals*

Not a bad bench

[bulldogtragic]

Not a bad bench

This makes me appreciate the players we’ve had through the club. A very handy bench, although in about 5 years I think Minno will probably make way for the ruck combo of Luke Darcy & Sam Darcy.