A brief history of our finals matches

[LostDoggy]

I found a recent summary of our finals history in another thread quite interesting. I looked up a few of the older games - it's shocking how many were winnable.

As an adjunct to Twodogs historical articles thread, for a bit of off season reading I thought it might be 'fun' (or therapeutic depending on your constitution) to look at each of these games in a little detail. Own the pain and all of that.

I'll post each match separately over the coming weeks. There's around 45 games in total.

[LostDoggy]

OUR FIRST EVER VFL FINAL

After entering the AFL in 1925, Footscray had to wait 13 years to make the finals. From 1925-1937 they never finished last, but most years were in the bottom third of the table.

By 1938, they had built a strong team, and finished the season in 3rd place; 18 games - 13 wins, 5 losses, 124.3%.

Under the old top 4 finals system, that meant we played 4th placed Collingwood in an Elimination Final - played at the MCG in front of 68,556.

Our team guns were champion CHF/Utility Arthur Olliver, dynamic midsize forward Alby Morrison and a powerful on-ball team comprising Ruckman Norm Ware, Ruck/Rover Ambrose Palmer, Rover Harry Hickey and Centreman and Captain Roy Evans.

Reading back over old reports, Footscray had worked itself into a frenzy of excitement pre-match, with a range of events held through the week - many attended by the entire team.

The reports of the match describe a furious pace for the day. Footscray were renowned as a fast, talented side, Collingwood tougher and more professional.

In the first qtr, Pies had a strong wind and kicked 6.1, whilst Dogs kicked 3.2.

In the 2nd qtr, Dogs dominated, creating chance after chance, but managed only 3.9 whilst a ruthless Pies created 3 chances for 3.0.

So at 1/2 time, Pie 9.1.55 (10 scoring shots) led Dogs 6.11.47 (17 scoring shots). (Sound familiar so far).

Collingwood broke the game open in the 3rd and ultimately went on to win 18.9.117 (27 scoring shots) to 10.16.76 (26).

Best players for Footscray were listed as wingman Bob Spargo (who had 2 sons play for Footscray and a grandson play for North), Full-Back Paul Standfield (a Fish Creek recruit whose grandson, Barry, also played for the club) and small forward Cliff MacRae (our only efficient forward on the day who kicked 5 goals).

For Collingwood, their stars Des Fothergill (6 goals as Rover), Alby Pannam (5 goals) and Ron Todd (4 goals) all produced as usual.

After the game it was revealed that Ruckman Norman Ware (who won the sportswriters award that year as best player in the competition, and later won a Brownlow) played the last month of the season with a broken bone in his foot, whilst gun forwards Olliver and Morrison were also carrying significant injuries.

[always right]

I remember reading that Shane McInerney's grandfather umpired the game and absolutely crucified us.

[LostDoggy]

I remember reading that Shane McInerney's grandfather umpired the game and absolutely crucified us.

Amazingly, the grandfather of the 1997 Libba goal umpire also officiated. Renowned Collingwood man apparently. :)

[Ghost Dog]

Why do we persist with these painful threads!

[Bulldog4life]

OUR FIRST EVER VFL FINAL

After entering the AFL in 1925, Footscray had to wait 13 years to make the finals. From 1925-1937 they never finished last, but most years were in the bottom third of the table.

By 1938, they had built a strong team, and finished the season in 3rd place; 18 games - 13 wins, 5 losses, 124.3%.

Under the old top 4 finals system, that meant we played 4th placed Collingwood in an Elimination Final - played at the MCG in front of 68,556.

Our team guns were champion CHF/Utility Arthur Olliver, dynamic midsize forward Alby Morrison and a powerful on-ball team comprising Ruckman Norm Ware, Ruck/Rover Ambrose Palmer, Rover Harry Hickey and Centreman and Captain Roy Evans.



Roy was a very close friend of our family. He was a wonderful man as well as a gifted footy player and cricketer. Played his early footy with Yarraville and didn't go to the VFL with Footscray until about 25 years old. Became captain very quickly but only played 40 odd games I think.Playing for Yarraville one day at cricket he took the wicket keeping gloves off to have a bowl and got a hat trick! A fantastic amateur comedian/magician too he had a lot of players spell bound in their end of the seasons trips. He did a very funny hypnosis trick with Teddy later in life. He also coached Footscray Reserves to a premiership in early 60's. Many players writing in the Bulldog history book praise Roy for his coaching ability.Actually Teddy went round his place to try and convince Roy to coach the seniors in the early 60's. He agreed but unfortunately the Match Committee didn't. Just a bit of history for all.

[LostDoggy]

Roy was a very close friend of our family. He was a wonderful man as well as a gifted footy player and cricketer. Played his early footy with Yarraville and didn't go to the VFL with Footscray until about 25 years old. Became captain very quickly but only played 40 odd games I think.Playing for Yarraville one day at cricket he took the wicket keeping gloves off to have a bowl and got a hat trick! A fantastic amateur comedian/magician too he had a lot of players spell bound in their end of the seasons trips. He did a very funny hypnosis trick with Teddy later in life. He also coached Footscray Reserves to a premiership in early 60's. Many players writing in the Bulldog history book praise Roy for his coaching ability.Actually Teddy went round his place to try and convince Roy to coach the seniors in the early 60's. He agreed but unfortunately the Match Committee didn't. Just a bit of history for all.

Great stuff B4L. Those teams of the 30s and 40s had some great men. Aside from Roy, Norm Ware, Ambrose Palmer and Arthur Olliver were amazing people (and I'm sure many others whose stories I haven't come across).

[Twodogs]

Why do we persist with these painful threads!

Because those who forget history are doomed to repeat it?

I love anything to do with the history of the club. The good bits, the sublime bits, the bad bits, the really bad bits and the soul destroying bits are what make us what we are today. And we are teetering on the edge of greatness.

[Twodogs]

Roy was a very close friend of our family. He was a wonderful man as well as a gifted footy player and cricketer. Played his early footy with Yarraville and didn't go to the VFL with Footscray until about 25 years old. Became captain very quickly but only played 40 odd games I think.Playing for Yarraville one day at cricket he took the wicket keeping gloves off to have a bowl and got a hat trick! A fantastic amateur comedian/magician too he had a lot of players spell bound in their end of the seasons trips. He did a very funny hypnosis trick with Teddy later in life. He also coached Footscray Reserves to a premiership in early 60's. Many players writing in the Bulldog history book praise Roy for his coaching ability.Actually Teddy went round his place to try and convince Roy to coach the seniors in the early 60's. He agreed but unfortunately the Match Committee didn't. Just a bit of history for all.

Thanks for that B4L. A fantastic read.

[LostDoggy]

Thanks TD. As you allude to, the thread is meant to look at all of our finals, not just the losses.

[Twodogs]

OUR FIRST EVER VFL FINAL

After entering the AFL in 1925, Footscray had to wait 13 years to make the finals. From 1925-1937 they never finished last, but most years were in the bottom third of the table.

By 1938, they had built a strong team, and finished the season in 3rd place; 18 games - 13 wins, 5 losses, 124.3%.

Under the old top 4 finals system, that meant we played 4th placed Collingwood in an Elimination Final - played at the MCG in front of 68,556.

Our team guns were champion CHF/Utility Arthur Olliver, dynamic midsize forward Alby Morrison and a powerful on-ball team comprising Ruckman Norm Ware, Ruck/Rover Ambrose Palmer, Rover Harry Hickey and Centreman and Captain Roy Evans.

Reading back over old reports, Footscray had worked itself into a frenzy of excitement pre-match, with a range of events held through the week - many attended by the entire team.

The reports of the match describe a furious pace for the day. Footscray were renowned as a fast, talented side, Collingwood tougher and more professional.

In the first qtr, Pies had a strong wind and kicked 6.1, whilst Dogs kicked 3.2.

In the 2nd qtr, Dogs dominated, creating chance after chance, but managed only 3.9 whilst a ruthless Pies created 3 chances for 3.0.

So at 1/2 time, Pie 9.1.55 (10 scoring shots) led Dogs 6.11.47 (17 scoring shots). (Sound familiar so far).

Collingwood broke the game open in the 3rd and ultimately went on to win 18.9.117 (27 scoring shots) to 10.16.76 (26).

Best players for Footscray were listed as wingman Bob Spargo (who had 2 sons play for Footscray and a grandson play for North), Full-Back Paul Standfield (a Fish Creek recruit whose grandson, Barry, also played for the club) and small forward Cliff MacRae (our only efficient forward on the day who kicked 5 goals).

For Collingwood, their stars Des Fothergill (6 goals as Rover), Alby Pannam (5 goals) and Ron Todd (4 goals) all produced as usual.

After the game it was revealed that Ruckman Norman Ware (who won the sportswriters award that year as best player in the competition, and later won a Brownlow) played the last month of the season with a broken bone in his foot, whilst gun forwards Olliver and Morrison were also carrying significant injuries.

I've seen that second quarter somewhere before in a final we played. Now when was it... :cool:

It's good to see we started this finals business the way we went on with it.

[KT31]

Because those who forget history are doomed to repeat it?

So if we all forget 1954, we will win the flag.:)

[Twodogs]

So if we all forget 1954, we will win the flag.:)


Yeah, that's why they took the bit out of the theme song used to say "remember '54". If it didn't the list of premiers would go from 1953-Collingwood straight to 1955-Melbourne .;) 2016 Western Bulldogs.

[Torpedo]

Were Roy and Charlie Evans related? I remember Charlie as a tough nuggety back pocket in the early to mid 60s. We seemed to produce a series of good BP players over the years.

[Bulldog4life]

Were Roy and Charlie Evans related? I remember Charlie as a tough nuggety back pocket in the early to mid 60s. We seemed to produce a series of good BP players over the years.

No they were not Torpedo. Roy had 2 sons that didn't make it to the VFL. I remember Charlie well. Represented our Club and wore the Big V. Yes the other two back pocket players who played with us and in Victorian teams in the 60's were Ray Walker and Ian Bryant. By the way Charlie eventually went to South Melbourne.

[Twodogs]

OUR FIRST EVER VFL FINAL

After entering the AFL in 1925, Footscray had to wait 13 years to make the finals. From 1925-1937 they never finished last, but most years were in the bottom third of the table.

By 1938, they had built a strong team, and finished the season in 3rd place; 18 games - 13 wins, 5 losses, 124.3%.

Under the old top 4 finals system, that meant we played 4th placed Collingwood in an Elimination Final - played at the MCG in front of 68,556.

Our team guns were champion CHF/Utility Arthur Olliver, dynamic midsize forward Alby Morrison and a powerful on-ball team comprising Ruckman Norm Ware, Ruck/Rover Ambrose Palmer, Rover Harry Hickey and Centreman and Captain Roy Evans.

Reading back over old reports, Footscray had worked itself into a frenzy of excitement pre-match, with a range of events held through the week - many attended by the entire team.

The reports of the match describe a furious pace for the day. Footscray were renowned as a fast, talented side, Collingwood tougher and more professional.

In the first qtr, Pies had a strong wind and kicked 6.1, whilst Dogs kicked 3.2.

In the 2nd qtr, Dogs dominated, creating chance after chance, but managed only 3.9 whilst a ruthless Pies created 3 chances for 3.0.

So at 1/2 time, Pie 9.1.55 (10 scoring shots) led Dogs 6.11.47 (17 scoring shots). (Sound familiar so far).

Collingwood broke the game open in the 3rd and ultimately went on to win 18.9.117 (27 scoring shots) to 10.16.76 (26).

Best players for Footscray were listed as wingman Bob Spargo (who had 2 sons play for Footscray and a grandson play for North), Full-Back Paul Standfield (a Fish Creek recruit whose grandson, Barry, also played for the club) and small forward Cliff MacRae (our only efficient forward on the day who kicked 5 goals).

For Collingwood, their stars Des Fothergill (6 goals as Rover), Alby Pannam (5 goals) and Ron Todd (4 goals) all produced as usual.

After the game it was revealed that Ruckman Norman Ware (who won the sportswriters award that year as best player in the competition, and later won a Brownlow) played the last month of the season with a broken bone in his foot, whilst gun forwards Olliver and Morrison were also carrying significant injuries.

My dear old uncle Ivan reckons that, outside of Whitten, Harry Hickey was the best player he saw.

[LostDoggy]

My grandfather, who saw every home game from the 30s to the 70s reckoned we had 2 out and out champions over that period. He rated them at Arthur Olliver 1st and Ted Whitten 2nd.

[bornadog]

Yes the other two back pocket players who played with us and in Victorian teams in the 60's were Ray Walker and Ian Bryant.

They were both pretty good too, Ray won a B&F and Bryant was AA.

[LostDoggy]

OUR 2ND EVER VFL/AFL FINAL (CURRENTLY 0:1)

After a hangover in 1939 (11th of 12), Footscray enjoyed a period of healthy competitiveness, finishing in the top half of the table 8 years of 9 from 1940 to 1948. After getting close in 40 and 41, we returned to the finals in 1942.

Due to the war, 1942 was an odd year, clubs only played 14 games. The Dogs finished 4th, with a 10-4 record (126%) resulting in an Elimination Final against South Melbourne.

The final round match must've been a beauty. We were playing a strong Fitzroy at Yarraville (our home ground for the year) and needed to win to make the finals. We were behind at half time but Captain Coach Norm Ware swung himself to full forward, kicked 6 and we got home.

Ware was a colossus. In 1941, he won the Brownlow Medal as Captain Coach. A Sale recruit (a postie by trade, we won his services by securing a role at the Footscray post office for him), he was a dominant yet agile 193 cm ruckman turned high marking full forward who won 5 club b&f's. He played for the club whilst serving the Army at Parkville in 1941-2, however he served overseas in 43-45 and managed to fit in only 6 games between tours over those years. All in all, he played 200 games from 1932-46, an undeniable all time champion of the club.

We played our Elimination Final against South Melbourne at Princes Park (the MCG was also out of action that year) in front of 25,000.

The make-up of our team had changed a lot since '38. Our gun forwards, Olliver and Morrison, were now our CHB and FB, whilst Ware was now predominantly full forward, with notable additions including a nuggety forward flanker named Charlie Sutton.

The game is depressingly familiar.

The first qtr is a real arm wrestle, with both teams kicking 1.4.10. In the 2nd qtr, we are right on top, with our runners everywhere and Ambrose Palmer especially damaging. We waste chance after chance to lead by 9 points t half time, 3.14.32 to 3.5.23.

Our dominance continues into the third and we extend our lead to 17 points, however a calamitous 5 minute stretch allows South 4 cheap goals, they ride the momentum and run away to win 13.13.91 to 7.22.64.

Norm Ware kicked 3 goals, despite playing most of the game in the Ruck, whilst best players were listed as Ware, Olliver and Palmer.

[Axe Man]

Looking back on that 1942 season I see that there were only 11 teams. On closer inspection it seems Geelong didn't field a side in 1942 and 1943 due to the war. I had never realised this before.

[Twodogs]

OUR 2ND EVER VFL/AFL FINAL (CURRENTLY 0:1)

After a hangover in 1939 (11th of 12), Footscray enjoyed a period of healthy competitiveness, finishing in the top half of the table 8 years of 9 from 1940 to 1948. After getting close in 40 and 41, we returned to the finals in 1942.

Due to the war, 1942 was an odd year, clubs only played 14 games. The Dogs finished 4th, with a 10-4 record (126%) resulting in an Elimination Final against South Melbourne.

The final round match must've been a beauty. We were playing a strong Fitzroy at Yarraville (our home ground for the year) and needed to win to make the finals. We were behind at half time but Captain Coach Norm Ware swung himself to full forward, kicked 6 and we got home.

Ware was a colossus. In 1941, he won the Brownlow Medal as Captain Coach. A Sale recruit (a postie by trade, we won his services by securing a role at the Footscray post office for him), he was a dominant yet agile 193 cm ruckman turned high marking full forward who won 5 club b&f's. He played for the club whilst serving the Army at Parkville in 1941-2, however he served overseas in 43-45 and managed to fit in only 6 games between tours over those years. All in all, he played 200 games from 1932-46, an undeniable all time champion of the club.

We played our Elimination Final against South Melbourne at Princes Park (the MCG was also out of action that year) in front of 25,000.

The make-up of our team had changed a lot since '38. Our gun forwards, Olliver and Morrison, were now our CHB and FB, whilst Ware was now predominantly full forward, with notable additions including a nuggety forward flanker named Charlie Sutton.

The game is depressingly familiar.

The first qtr is a real arm wrestle, with both teams kicking 1.4.10. In the 2nd qtr, we are right on top, with our runners everywhere and Ambrose Palmer especially damaging. We waste chance after chance to lead by 9 points t half time, 3.14.32 to 3.5.23.

Our dominance continues into the third and we extend our lead to 17 points, however a calamitous 5 minute stretch allows South 4 cheap goals, they ride the momentum and run away to win 13.13.91 to 7.22.64.

Norm Ware kicked 3 goals, despite playing most of the game in the Ruck, whilst best players were listed as Ware, Olliver and Palmer.

2.10 in the second quarter. The sum total of our second quarter scores in our two finals so far is 5.19.

I screamed in frustration when I worked that out. People turned to see what was wrong but I was like "it's OK I'm reading about football". They got it.

[merantau]

No they were not Torpedo. Roy had 2 sons that didn't make it to the VFL. I remember Charlie well. Represented our Club and wore the Big V. Yes the other two back pocket players who played with us and in Victorian teams in the 60's were Ray Walker and Ian Bryant. By the way Charlie eventually went to South Melbourne.
Owen Madigan was another good back pocket. He couldn't get a game with us so went to Richmond where he had a half decent career. Ray Walker was also a fine back pocket for us.

[Twodogs]

Gordon Casey came over from Carlton and stayed as a player and coach until quite recently. Terry Wheeler and Michael Egan all played for Victoria in the back pocket.

[LostDoggy]

Brad Hardie won a Brownlow from a back pocket, not many do that.

[bornadog]

Don't forget the Squirrel in the back pocket

[LostDoggy]

Michael Ford was a classic back pocket from the 80s. Minimal skill level but just through himself into every contest - loved him.

Our 50s back pockets, Wally Donald and Charlie Sutton (amongst many other positions), by reputation though were the best of the lot.

[Bulldog4life]

Owen Madigan was another good back pocket. He couldn't get a game with us so went to Richmond where he had a half decent career. Ray Walker was also a fine back pocket for us.

Owen is still around the Club in an officially capacity with the Past players. Well he was a half dozen years ago when I met him at the East/West Young Guns night.

[Twodogs]

Michael Ford was a classic back pocket from the 80s. Minimal skill level but just through himself into every contest - loved him.

Our 50s back pockets, Wally Donald and Charlie Sutton (amongst many other positions), by reputation though were the best of the lot.


I loved Fruirtcake Ford. He threw himself into every contest.

[LostDoggy]

I loved Fruirtcake Ford. He threw himself into every contest.

Touche TD. Very poor by me.

[LostDoggy]

OUR 3RD EVER VFL/AFL FINAL (CURRENTLY 0-2)

So we move to 1944. After narrowly missing finals in '43, '44 was a wild ride of a home and away season. It was an 18 round season and after 15 rounds we were top of the table. 2 losses in rounds 16 and 17 saw us drop to 5th and likely to just miss again.

The last round match must go down as one of our greatest ever. We met 4th placed Carlton at Princes Park, with the winner to take 4th and a finals spot. A huge crowd by wartime standards watched to see Carlton lead at the first 2 breaks, but the Dogs surge back to prevail by the sweetest of margins; 12.17.89 to 13.10.88.

Reports say that scores were level on the siren, but that champion rover Harry Hickey had just marked and had a shot from 45 yards. Not a long kick, he went for an unusual torp (he normally drop kicked) which scraped in for a glorious point. Hickey is quoted as saying that it was one of the poorest games he ever played, but the only time he was chaired from the field.

Reports of the match are quite hilarious, with the game reaching a fever pitch in the final moments and Carlton fans going beserk after the Hickey point. Apparently the field umpire needed 4 policemen to escort him home and the tram he caught was rocked and had windows smashed.

By 1944, Ware was overseas on war duty. His role had been taken by Arthur Olliver (who was now captain, coach and 1st Ruck). Olliver was a gangly 190 cm (6ft3) and 83 kg (11 stone) but played all positions and basically fulfilled whatever role the club most required. He carried the club through the war years, an electrician by trade, he had applied to join the air force but thankfully for us his role at the munitions plant was deemed more valuable to the war effort.

So we finish 4th - 18 games; 12 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses (106.9%).

We play Essendon in an Elimination Final in front of 24,542 at the Junction Oval.

The game is a shocker. 1st qtr is tight, Ess 1.3 to Dogs 1.1, but reports say the Dogs looked spent after the previous weeks heroics and Reynolds and Hutchison ran amok in the 2nd qtr. Half time: Ess 7.6 to Dogs 1.1. Game over.

Final Score: Ess 14.17.101 to Foots 8.4.52.

Best players were listed as A.McTaggart, Hickey, Olliver and Miller, whilst CHF W.McTaggart kicked 3 goals.

[Twodogs]

Touche TD. Very poor by me.


Do you mean threw/through!? I didn't notice until you pointed it out.

[Twodogs]

OUR 3RD EVER VFL/AFL FINAL (CURRENTLY 0-2)

So we move to 1944. After narrowly missing finals in '43, '44 was a wild ride of a home and away season. It was an 18 round season and after 15 rounds we were top of the table. 2 losses in rounds 16 and 17 saw us drop to 5th and likely to just miss again.

The last round match must go down as one of our greatest ever. We met 4th placed Carlton at Princes Park, with the winner to take 4th and a finals spot. A huge crowd by wartime standards watched to see Carlton lead at the first 2 breaks, but the Dogs surge back to prevail by the sweetest of margins; 12.17.89 to 13.10.88.

Reports say that scores were level on the siren, but that champion rover Harry Hickey had just marked and had a shot from 45 yards. Not a long kick, he went for an unusual torp (he normally drop kicked) which scraped in for a glorious point. Hickey is quoted as saying that it was one of the poorest games he ever played, but the only time he was chaired from the field.

Reports of the match are quite hilarious, with the game reaching a fever pitch in the final moments and Carlton fans going beserk after the Hickey point. Apparently the field umpire needed 4 policemen to escort him home and the tram he caught was rocked and had windows smashed.

By 1944, Ware was overseas on war duty. His role had been taken by Arthur Olliver (who was now captain, coach and 1st Ruck). Olliver was a gangly 190 cm (6ft3) and 83 kg (11 stone) but played all positions and basically fulfilled whatever role the club most required. He carried the club through the war years, an electrician by trade, he had applied to join the air force but thankfully for us his role at the munitions plant was deemed more valuable to the war effort.

So we finish 4th - 18 games; 12 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses (106.9%).

We play Essendon in an Elimination Final in front of 24,542 at the Junction Oval.

The game is a shocker. 1st qtr is tight, Ess 1.3 to Dogs 1.1, but reports say the Dogs looked spent after the previous weeks heroics and Reynolds and Hutchison ran amok in the 2nd qtr. Half time: Ess 7.6 to Dogs 1.1. Game over.

Final Score: Ess 14.17.101 to Foots 8.4.52.

Best players were listed as A.McTaggart, Hickey, Olliver and Miller, whilst CHF W.McTaggart kicked 3 goals.


The Carlton game was the game where Bob Chittey claimed to have punched Hickey's kick clear of the goals but the umpire said it had cleared the line first.

Doesn't matter. We won the game.

[LostDoggy]

OUR 4TH VFL/AFL FINAL

After narrowly missing finals in 1945 despite a solid home and away year (12-8, 109%), we recovered a full team in 1946 and put in a very solid home and away season. We finished 3rd (13-6, 118%).

In the Elimination Final we met Melbourne at the MCG in front of 61,277.

The game reads as a great display of footy. There had been a lot of pre-match talk of Dogs finals failures and they apparently started the game with great intensity, although Melbourne were very strong and counter attacked in a game of great offensive flair.

Melbourne led at 1/2 time 10.13 to 7.7, but a great 3rd qtr got the Dogs noses in front - they led 13.10.88 to 12.15.87.

Dogs had the better of the early play in Q4 and got 15 points ahead, until Captain Coach Arthur Olliver was sensationally knocked down during the early stages of the qtr. A few minutes later, he took a pack mark 10 metres out and had a set shot from 15 metres to put us 20 points up. Still dazed, he missed badly.

This turned the match and a late Demons flurry saw them win 17.18.120 to 15.12.102.

For the Dogs, full forward Norm Ware kicked 4 goals and Ruckman/CHF Olliver kicked 3. Best players were listed as Olliver, Rees, McLaren and Sutton.

Looking back, this match was the end of the Dogs first era as a consistent finals team, making 4 appearances in 1938-1946 and narrowly missing a couple of other years.

The 3 towering figures of the era were Norm Ware and Arthur Olliver (who both had several seasons as Captain Coach; Ware 41-42, Olliver 43-50) and versatile key position stalwart Alby Morrison.

By '46, Ware was 35, had played 200 games despite missing plenty through the war years, and retired at the end of the year, as did Morrison who was 37 and had played 224 games (369 goals) in a magnificent 19 season career also interrupted by 4 years served in the army. Olliver too played his 200th game in the '46 Elimination Final, he had a few years left in him as a 30 year old.

[Twodogs]

So we must have went into the wilderness for a while after this finals appearance. We didn't finish in the four again until 1953? That's six seasons. In that time Whitten, Collins, Box, Henderson, Ross, Stevens and the rest of the Premiership team are added to Sutton and Donald.

[LostDoggy]

Surprisingly not TD. The period 42-56 was remarkably consistent for making finals, the only time we ever missed finals series back to back was in 49-50. As it happens, we had a poor year in '47 after losing key, great players at the end of '46, but did well to bounce straight back into the 4 in '48.

OUR 5TH VFL/AFL FINAL
Olliver did an amazing job to reassemble the team in 47/48. The only 3 players in the team that had over 100 games experience were himself, centremen/rovers Harry Hickey and Joe Ryan. One of his shrewdest moves was to take Charlie Sutton, a young forward with great tenacity and toughness, and move him to the back pocket to strengthen and lead the young defence.

The team was mid-table for a lot of the year, but won late games to be sitting 5th coming into the last round. We beat perennial cellar dwellars North Melbourne (through the 20s-40s they usually finished in the bottom 2 or 3, along with Hawthorn) whilst Carlton did us a solid (!!) and knocked out Richmond by 5 points for us to sneak into 4th.

Once again it was the Elimination Final for us, this time vs Collingwood, at the MCG in front of 71,514.

The game is depressingly familiar, we start with great ferocity and lead at 1/2 time 8.9.57 to 6.11.47. At half time, Collingwood swung injured centreman Bill Twomey forward, he ended up kicking 8 goals and Collingwood slowly stamped their authority in the last half, ultimately winning 17.17.119 to 12.12.84.

For us, Joe Ryan kicked 4 goals and was listed as our best player, other better players were listed as Sutton, Webb and Bryden.

The Olliver era tailed off after '48. In 49 and 50 we finished 9th then 10th, a sad end and our worst years since the 30s. After 1950, Olliver (a Seddon boy) retired after 16 years playing and 7 years captain/coaching; 272 games and 354 goals.

Good times were coming though, Olliver's successor for the 1951 season was named as another local, in Spotswood's Charlie Sutton.

[Twodogs]

Surprisingly not TD. The period 42-56 was remarkably consistent for making finals, the only time we ever missed finals series back to back was in 49-50. As it happens, we had a poor year in '47 after losing key, great players at the end of '46, but did well to bounce straight back into the 4 in '48.

OUR 5TH VFL/AFL FINAL
Olliver did an amazing job to reassemble the team in 47/48. The only 3 players in the team that had over 100 games experience were himself, centremen/rovers Harry Hickey and Joe Ryan. One of his shrewdest moves was to take Charlie Sutton, a young forward with great tenacity and toughness, and move him to the back pocket to strengthen and lead the young defence.

The team was mid-table for a lot of the year, but won late games to be sitting 5th coming into the last round. We beat perennial cellar dwellars North Melbourne (through the 20s-40s they usually finished in the bottom 2 or 3, along with Hawthorn) whilst Carlton did us a solid (!!) and knocked out Richmond by 5 points for us to sneak into 4th.

Once again it was the Elimination Final for us, this time vs Collingwood, at the MCG in front of 71,514.

The game is depressingly familiar, we start with great ferocity and lead at 1/2 time 8.9.57 to 6.11.47. At half time, Collingwood swung injured centreman Bill Twomey forward, he ended up kicking 8 goals and Collingwood slowly stamped their authority in the last half, ultimately winning 17.17.119 to 12.12.84.

For us, Joe Ryan kicked 4 goals and was listed as our best player, other better players were listed as Sutton, Webb and Bryden.

The Olliver era tailed off after '48. In 49 and 50 we finished 9th then 10th, a sad end and our worst years since the 30s. After 1950, Olliver (a Seddon boy) retired after 16 years playing and 7 years captain/coaching; 272 games and 354 goals.

Good times were coming though, Olliver's successor for the 1951 season was named as another local, in Spotswood's Charlie Sutton.


Bloody Twomey! he was walking off thew ground about to be replaced when McHale decided to send him to the forward line instead.

[LostDoggy]

Bloody Twomey! he was walking off thew ground about to be replaced when McHale decided to send him to the forward line instead.

Correct. Your knowledge is astonishing TD. I am paraphrasing a lot of info in these summaries, but you always seem to know the key details of the incidents. I knew barely any of it until I started this thread.

The more you delve into the history, the more fascinating it becomes.

[Twodogs]

Correct. Your knowledge is astonishing TD. I am paraphrasing a lot of info in these summaries, but you always seem to know the key details of the incidents. I knew barely any of it until I started this thread.

The more you delve into the history, the more fascinating it becomes.


Ive been fascinated and obsessed with this football club and its history for a long long time. It's like a sickness, I cant stop even if I want to.

[Murphy'sLore]

Fascinating but depressing. I'm starting to appreciate the weight of history.

[bornadog]

Correct. Your knowledge is astonishing TD. I am paraphrasing a lot of info in these summaries, but you always seem to know the key details of the incidents. I knew barely any of it until I started this thread.

The more you delve into the history, the more fascinating it becomes.

Really enjoying these PP, keep up the good work

[LostDoggy]

Fascinating but depressing. I'm starting to appreciate the weight of history.

There is certainly a depressing element to it ML, but I've actually found looking through the 20s-40s quite uplifting.

In some ways we have been a prouder, stronger club through a big chunk of our history than commentators and modern fans realise.

Besides dominating the VFA, a then very strong competition, through the late 19th and early 20th century, our thorough defeat of VFL champions Essendon for the one-off Victorian championship in 1924 got us Hawthorn and North into the premier comp. Over the first 30 years or so of our VFL history, we were widely competitive and by far the most advanced of the new clubs.

I was quite shocked at how much Hawthorn and North struggled early, compared to us.

As an example, over the first 30 VFL years:

We finished in the top half 14 times, the bottom 3 10 times and were never last.
Hawthorn finished in the top half once, the bottom 3 24 times and were 9 times last.
North finished in the top half 4 times, the bottom 3 14 times and were 9 times last.

What happened from the 60s through to the 80s was very sad and we have blown some great chances in recent decades. We do desperately need some finals wins and flags to shake this collective, untrue sense that we are perennial losers.

[Twodogs]

I've talked to old players who said it was like a competition between the clubs back in the 30s and 40s to see how far they would let Hawthorn get in front at quarter time before they would start to reel them in. Teams basically didn't bother until the second quarter because they knew that no matter how far behind they got as soon as they started trying Hawthorn would just go to water.

[LostDoggy]

Yeah, they were shocking. In 1927-28 they won 1 game in the 35 they played over the 2 years.

In 15 of their first 30 seasons, they won 3 games or less. We've only been that bad 4 times in 91 seasons.

[Murphy'sLore]

Was that when they were called the Mayblooms? That's got to mess with your head, surely!

[LostDoggy]

Was that when they were called the Mayblooms? That's got to mess with your head, surely!

Not sure about Hawthorn, but we did okay for a while as the Prince Imperials!!

[bornadog]

Was that when they were called the Mayblooms? That's got to mess with your head, surely!

Pretty sure Mayblooms was their nickname. Today's Hawthorn FC, was formed in 1902 and didn't enter the VFA till 1914.

[Twodogs]

Was that when they were called the Mayblooms? That's got to mess with your head, surely!


Yep. And the Mustard Pots.

It was Roy Cazaly who changed the emblem to the Hawks when he coached Hawthorn in the '40s.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

OUR FIRST EVER VFL FINAL

After entering the AFL in 1925, Footscray had to wait 13 years to make the finals. From 1925-1937 they never finished last, but most years were in the bottom third of the table.

By 1938, they had built a strong team, and finished the season in 3rd place; 18 games - 13 wins, 5 losses, 124.3%.

Under the old top 4 finals system, that meant we played 4th placed Collingwood in an Elimination Final - played at the MCG in front of 68,556.

Our team guns were champion CHF/Utility Arthur Olliver, dynamic midsize forward Alby Morrison and a powerful on-ball team comprising Ruckman Norm Ware, Ruck/Rover Ambrose Palmer, Rover Harry Hickey and Centreman and Captain Roy Evans.

Reading back over old reports, Footscray had worked itself into a frenzy of excitement pre-match, with a range of events held through the week - many attended by the entire team.

The reports of the match describe a furious pace for the day. Footscray were renowned as a fast, talented side, Collingwood tougher and more professional.

In the first qtr, Pies had a strong wind and kicked 6.1, whilst Dogs kicked 3.2.

In the 2nd qtr, Dogs dominated, creating chance after chance, but managed only 3.9 whilst a ruthless Pies created 3 chances for 3.0.

So at 1/2 time, Pie 9.1.55 (10 scoring shots) led Dogs 6.11.47 (17 scoring shots). (Sound familiar so far).

Collingwood broke the game open in the 3rd and ultimately went on to win 18.9.117 (27 scoring shots) to 10.16.76 (26).

Best players for Footscray were listed as wingman Bob Spargo (who had 2 sons play for Footscray and a grandson play for North), Full-Back Paul Standfield (a Fish Creek recruit whose grandson, Barry, also played for the club) and small forward Cliff MacRae (our only efficient forward on the day who kicked 5 goals).

For Collingwood, their stars Des Fothergill (6 goals as Rover), Alby Pannam (5 goals) and Ron Todd (4 goals) all produced as usual.

After the game it was revealed that Ruckman Norman Ware (who won the sportswriters award that year as best player in the competition, and later won a Brownlow) played the last month of the season with a broken bone in his foot, whilst gun forwards Olliver and Morrison were also carrying significant injuries.

One of the stars in our first finals team was Jim Miller who went onto become the Bulldogs President in the '60's.
Jim who is now 96 is in the Footscray Hospital following a fall. He and his wife of 75 years still live in their original home in West Footscray. A wonderful achievement.

[Twodogs]

West Footscray is that sort of place.

[LostDoggy]

Thanks for letting us know that NBP, certainly wish him all the best. It's good to know at least one of those guys is still with us.

For those curious, Jim Miller played on a wing in our first ever VFL finals team, and was actually the youngest Bulldog that day (at 19, the sole teenager). He had a great career with the Dogs, playing 132 games from 1938-48.

[Webby]

Pretty sure Mayblooms was their nickname. Today's Hawthorn FC, was formed in 1902 and didn't enter the VFA till 1914.

Yep, and they achieved sweet FA in the VFA, too. We bashed the door down by winning flag after flag. Hawthorn got in because the East Melbourne Cricket Ground was shut down due to the construction of the Jolimont Rail Yards. Thus the residents, Essendon FC and East Melbourne CC (then THE powerhouse of Victorian cricket) had to find new homes.

Essendon moved to Windy Hill and East Melbourne CC chose to move to the Glenferrie Oval (with money to develop the ground), thus meaning that minnows, the Hawthorn Footy Club suddenly had a gigantic co-tenant on whose coat-tails they could ride.

Double dumb luck on their part! The VFL then carried and nurtured them (as the first GWS-like project club of the league) for 35 years as they racked up spoon after spoon. Only then to finally gift them some of the most fertile recruiting zones in order to try to drag them out of the basket... Which obviously worked!!

So to hear their hierarchy now taking an anti-equalisation stance is quite galling to say the least! I used to like Hawthorn, but I've come to loathe them in recent times..

[bornadog]

One of the stars in our first finals team was Jim Miller who went onto become the Bulldogs President in the '60's.
Jim who is now 96 is in the Footscray Hospital following a fall. He and his wife of 75 years still live in their original home in West Footscray. A wonderful achievement.

Thank you for that information and hopefully Jim's fall is not too painful for him and he recovers quickly.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL NO.6

Alrighty, so we're up to 1951. It's Charlie Sutton's first year as Captain Coach, he's taken over a team that has finished 9th and 10th of 12 the previous 2 seasons.

The composition of the R1 team is interesting. We only have 2 players older than 25, being Charlie (the eldest at 27) and full forward Bill Wood. On the other hand, we had future Brownlow medallist Peter Box debuting at 19, champion full-back Herb Henderson playing his 2nd game at 20 and a 17 year old Ted Whitten also debutting (amongst many other quality youngsters - the great backman Wally Donald was almost a team veteran as a 77 game 23 yo and Jack Collins was playing his 18th game as a 21 yo).

Sutton (who won the club b&f in 1950 and was given a new kitchen sink as his trophy) could see the quality that had left in the post war years and knew a strong emphasis on youth was the way forward. The first test of the new young Dogs was a tough one, Richmond at Punt Road, but against all expectations the youngsters dug deep in a bruising encounter the best way possible; prevailing 15.10.100 to 15.9.99.

Amazingly in R2 we met Carlton at the Western Oval and again got up by a solitary point (5.11.41 to 4.16.40 - must've been a lovely day).

The early signs were good. The young team had a roller coaster season and spent most of it outside the 4, but won the late games to finish 4th.

They ended the season 12-6 (113%), resulting in an Elimination Final against Essendon, played at the MCG in front of 66,135.

By finals time, Whitten was no longer the youngster of the team, with Arthur Edwards playing the final, his 2nd game, as a just turned 17 year old ruckman/forward. He had been at the club since playing in the 5ths as a 14 year old.

There was a lot of drama in the week leading up to the final. Our seasons best player, and 2nd most experienced, Dick Wearmouth was ruled out through injury. It looked like gun youngster Ted Whitten (who had kicked 22 season goals at 17) would have to miss through National Service, the Army Minister refused Ted's application for Service to be delayed, but was overturned by PM Robert Menzies.

Of all our finals, this one is a doozy.

Once again, there is a lot of talk of the finals millstone and we fly out at Essendon, establishing an early margin. Our early play was quite brilliant, kicking 3 goals before Essendon score.

In fact we lead at every change; 6.1 to 3.2 at 1/4 time, 7.1 to 4.4 at 1/2 time, 7.5 to 6.7 at 3/4 time.

As can be seen from the scoreline, Dogs started with great energy and the game had a bright 9 goal opening quarter. As previous though, our experienced opponents closed the game down and ground away our lead by kicking 3 goals to 1 over the next 2 quarters.

The grind wore us down and a flat 8 scoring shot to 1 final quarter saw Essendon sneak away as 8 point victors; 8.13.61 to 8.5.53.

For the Dogs, Collins and Laffey kicked 2 each. Best were listed as Donald, Henderson, Bryden, Collins and Sutton.

Although another finals loss stung, the post match press was very upbeat about the Dogs. This young team had outdone itself all season, stretched a powerhouse, and surely had big things coming.

[Twodogs]

VFL/AFL FINAL NO.6

Alrighty, so we're up to 1951. It's Charlie Sutton's first year as Captain Coach, he's taken over a team that has finished 9th and 10th of 12 the previous 2 seasons.

The composition of the R1 team is interesting. We only have 2 players older than 25, being Charlie (the eldest at 27) and full forward Bill Wood. On the other hand, we had future Brownlow medallist Peter Box debuting at 19, champion full-back Herb Henderson playing his 2nd game at 20 and a 17 year old Ted Whitten also debutting (amongst many other quality youngsters - the great backman Wally Donald was almost a team veteran as a 77 game 23 yo and Jack Collins was playing his 18th game as a 21 yo).

Sutton (who won the club b&f in 1950 and was given a new kitchen sink as his trophy) could see the quality that had left in the post war years and knew a strong emphasis on youth was the way forward. The first test of the new young Dogs was a tough one, Richmond at Punt Road, but against all expectations the youngsters dug deep in a bruising encounter the best way possible; prevailing 15.10.100 to 15.9.99.

Amazingly in R2 we met Carlton at the Western Oval and again got up by a solitary point (5.11.41 to 4.16.40 - must've been a lovely day).

The early signs were good. The young team had a roller coaster season and spent most of it outside the 4, but won the late games to finish 4th.

They ended the season 12-6 (113%), resulting in an Elimination Final against Essendon, played at the MCG in front of 66,135.

By finals time, Whitten was no longer the youngster of the team, with Arthur Edwards playing the final, his 2nd game, as a just turned 17 year old ruckman/forward. He had been at the club since playing in the 5ths as a 14 year old.

There was a lot of drama in the week leading up to the final. Our seasons best player, and 2nd most experienced, Dick Wearmouth was ruled out through injury. It looked like gun youngster Ted Whitten (who had kicked 22 season goals at 17) would have to miss through National Service, the Army Minister refused Ted's application for Service to be delayed, but was overturned by PM Robert Menzies.

Of all our finals, this one is a doozy.

Once again, there is a lot of talk of the finals millstone and we fly out at Essendon, establishing an early margin. Our early play was quite brilliant, kicking 3 goals before Essendon score.

In fact we lead at every change; 6.1 to 3.2 at 1/4 time, 7.1 to 4.4 at 1/2 time, 7.5 to 6.7 at 3/4 time.

As can be seen from the scoreline, Dogs started with great energy and the game had a bright 9 goal opening quarter. As previous though, our experienced opponents closed the game down and ground away our lead by kicking 3 goals to 1 over the next 2 quarters.

The grind wore us down and a flat 8 scoring shot to 1 final quarter saw Essendon sneak away as 8 point victors; 8.13.61 to 8.5.53.

For the Dogs, Collins and Laffey kicked 2 each. Best were listed as Donald, Henderson, Bryden, Collins and Sutton.

Although, another finals loss stung, the post match press was very upbeat about the Dogs. This young team had outdone itself all season, stretched a powerhouse, and surely had big things coming.



That sounds just like us now. A season where we outdid ecpectations and made the finals under a new coach but ended up losing a close elimination final. Lots of really promising kids who seem to bleed red, white and blue with a couple in particular, a kid who could be anything and can play anywhere and a lairy forward who can walk the walk and a wise old leader adored by all.

Tell me what happened to that team? Did it end up winning anything?

[bornadog]

Only kicked two goals after the first quarter.

[LostDoggy]

That sounds just like us now. A season where we outdid ecpectations and made the finals under a new coach but ended up losing a close elimination final. Lots of really promising kids who seem to bleed red, white and blue with a couple in particular, a kid who could be anything and can play anywhere and a lairy forward who can walk the walk and a wise old leader adored by all.

Tell me what happened to that team? Did it end up winning anything?

I was kind of hinting at comparisons:)

They went on to do ok:)

Reckon this current lot may even do a little more :)

[LostDoggy]

Only kicked two goals after the first quarter.

Yep. Essendon were really tough old pros, once we jumped them they just shut everything down and turned the screws. With the benefit of hindsight, it would've been a great learning experience for that group.

[LostDoggy]

OUR 7TH VFL/AFL FINAL

In 1952, for the 6th time out of 6, we failed to capitalise on our finals showing, with our young team managing only 5 wins and 10th spot. However, for the 4th time we immediately bounced back and returned to the finals in 1953.

The 1953 home and away season was quite spectacular. We finished with a 13-5 record and a 136.5 percentage, our best ever %by plenty and the only time in our history we finished with a % over 130 (next best were 1955 (129.96), then 1954 (129.95), then 1992 (129.85)).

It was also the wettest Melbourne winter on record, with many games played on mudheaps. The Dogs had gathered a reputation as a superior wet weather team. We were even accused of doctoring our home ground, with Ted Whitten reportedly seen blocking a Gordon Street stormwater drain with a mophead the day before one match (very different times!).

The h&a season did end disappointingly however. Entering the final round in 2nd place, we had the opportunity to grab the all important double chance for the first time ever. Tough match though, we faced 3rd placed Collingwood at Victoria Park, and got rolled by 19 points - a flattering scoreline as we trailled by 44 at 3QT.

This left us in 3rd place and entering our 7th Elimination Final in 15 years.

Our opponent was Essendon, in front of 69,467 at the MCG.

Our team at this stage was still quite raw. The only 100 game+ players were Charlie Sutton (29), Dave Bryden (26) and Wally Donald (26) - Sutton's leadership must've been enormous. Other key young players getting up to the 50-80 game range included Champion Utility Ted Whitten (20) - on windy days he played CHF with the wind and CHB into the wind, Ruckman Harvey Stevens (23) and Full-Back Herb Henderson (22).

As often happened previously, the young Dogs entered the game frenetically and flogged Essendon in the 1st qtr, generating 10 scoring shots to 1. Disturbingly, these shots resulted in a familiar scoreline - 3.7 to 1.0.

The 2nd and 3rd quarters also followed familiar patterns, with Essendon steadying, stopping the Dogs scoring and grinding their way back into the match. Dogs managed only 1 goal in 2 quarters, with the 3 quarter time scoreline being Dogs 4.11.35 to 4.7.31.

With Essendon kicking to the scoring end in Q4, the outcome looked bleakly predictable, but this group was different. When it mattered, they found extra and pulled away again to prevail 6.13.49 to 5.11.41.

The game was reportedly an ugly affair, with 50mph winds resulting in sloppy passages. Our defenders drew high praise, especially full back Henderson who held champion full forward to John Coleman to 1 goal (Henderson regularly bettered Coleman, who regarded HH as his toughest opponent - high praise from arguably the greatest ever full forward). Abbey, Donald and Sutton were reportedly especially desperate in their defensive efforts, whilst Whitten's defensive dashes and penetrating drop kicks into the wind also drew particular comment.

Our only multiple goalscorer was Roy Harper with 2 (hats off to Roy).

Best players were listed as Centreman Peter Box, Whitten, Henderson and Back Pocket Angus Abbey.

[LostDoggy]

OUR 7TH VFL/AFL FINAL

In 1952, for the 6th time out of 6, we failed to capitalise on our finals showing, with our young team managing only 5 wins and 10th spot. However, for the 4th time we immediately bounced back and returned to the finals in 1953.

The 1953 home and away season was quite spectacular. We finished with a 13-5 record and a 136.5 percentage, our best ever %by plenty and the only time in our history we finished with a % over 130 (next best were 1955 (129.96), then 1954 (129.95), then 1992 (129.85)).

It was also the wettest Melbourne winter on record, with many games played on mudheaps. The Dogs had gathered a reputation as a superior wet weather team. We were even accused of doctoring our home ground, with Ted Whitten reportedly seen blocking a Gordon Street stormwater drain with a mophead the day before one match (very different times!).

The h&a season did end disappointingly however. Entering the final round in 2nd place, we had the opportunity to grab the all important double chance for the first time ever. Tough match though, we faced 3rd placed Collingwood at Victoria Park, and got rolled by 19 points - a flattering scoreline as we trailled by 44 at 3QT.

This left us in 3rd place and entering our 7th Elimination Final in 15 years.

Our opponent was Essendon, in front of 69,467 at the MCG.

Our team at this stage was still quite raw. The only 100 game+ players were Charlie Sutton (29), Dave Bryden (26) and Wally Donald (26) - Sutton's leadership must've been enormous. Other key young players getting up to the 50-80 game range included Champion Utility Ted Whitten (20) - on windy days he played CHF with the wind and CHB into the wind, Ruckman Harvey Stevens (23) and Full-Back Herb Henderson (22).

As often happened previously, the young Dogs entered the game frenetically and flogged Essendon in the 1st qtr, generating 10 scoring shots to 1. Disturbingly, these shots resulted in a familiar scoreline - 3.7 to 1.0.

The 2nd and 3rd quarters also followed familiar patterns, with Essendon steadying, stopping the Dogs scoring and grinding their way back into the match. Dogs managed only 1 goal in 2 quarters, with the 3 quarter time scoreline being Dogs 4.11.35 to 4.7.31.

With Essendon kicking to the scoring end in Q4, the outcome looked bleakly predictable, but this group was different. When it mattered, they found extra and pulled away again to prevail 6.13.49 to 5.11.41.

The game was reportedly an ugly affair, with 50mph winds resulting in sloppy passages. Our defenders drew high praise, especially full back Henderson who held champion full forward to John Coleman to 1 goal (Henderson regularly bettered Coleman, who regarded HH as his toughest opponent - high praise from arguably the greatest ever full forward). Abbey, Donald and Sutton were reportedly especially desperate in their defensive efforts, whilst Whitten's defensive dashes and penetrating drop kicks into the wind also drew particular comment.

Our only multiple goalscorer was Roy Harper with 2 (hats off to Roy).

Best players were listed as Centreman Peter Box, Whitten, Henderson and Back Pocket Angus Abbey.

This is brilliant posting. Great thing.

Some of the information you are sharing is simply quite magnificent.

[Twodogs]

I think Jack Collins missed this one due to suspension?

[jeemak]

Excellent work PP.

[LostDoggy]

I think Jack Collins missed this one due to suspension?

Spot on as always TD. Collins and Frank Tuck apparently went at each other all day in the final round match against Collingwood, both getting 4 weeks and missing the entire finals.

He was certainly a huge loss too, having already kicked 50 goals in a low scoring season.

[Twodogs]

Spot on as always TD. Collins and Frank Tuck apparently went at each other all day in the final round match against Collingwood, both getting 4 weeks and missing the entire finals.

He was certainly a huge loss too, having already kicked 50 goals in a low scoring season.

He would have been more valuable than Ted Whitten to the team at the time. Footscray supporters could probably hardly believe their luck that they had found a genuine elite youngster and a lairy gun forward at virtually the same time.

[LostDoggy]

He would have been more valuable than Ted Whitten to the team at the time. Footscray supporters could probably hardly believe their luck that they had found a genuine elite youngster and a lairy gun forward at virtually the same time.

More parallels? :)

[LostDoggy]

OUR 8TH VFL/AFL GRAND FINAL

Having finally progressed through an Elimination Final, we went on to our first ever Preliminary Final.

Our opponent was something of a surprise, with Geelong (who had clearly been the best home and away team for the year) being defeated by Collingwood in the Qualifying Final. We played the Cats in front of 58,615.

Although Geelong were on top in general play through early passages, the Dogs (for once) took their chances and led 2.1 to 0.6 at quarter time, and then 3.4 to 2.7 at half time.

The game was again played in muddy and trying conditions. By all reports, Geelong's superiority was established after half time and the Dogs were ultimately overrun in the 3rd (3QT: Geel 6.10.46 v Foots 4.5.29) and final quarters, ultimately losing by 26 points; 8.15.63 to 5.7.37.

Best players were listed as tireless ruckman Harvey Stevens, Ted Whitten, Wally Donald and Herb Henderson.

Our goal scorers were Harvey Stevens (2), Alan Trusler (2) and Roy Harper (1).

The reports of the match laud the young Bulldogs year. Despite losing, Sutton was chaired from the ground in acknowledgement of his efforts over the season. In the rooms afterwards he spoke of how far the club had come in '53, mentioning the 5 teenagers who played in the Prelim and the club 'veterans' still in their early 20s.

Aside from the continued excellence of Whitten, Sutton, Donald, Henderson, Bryden and Box, the big plus for the Dogs in 53 were the development of teenagers Arthur Edwards, Don Ross, Ron Stockman, John Kerr and Ron McCarthy, all of whom played in the Prelim and played the bulk of the season.

Another big win was the move of Jack Collins to full forward. A Yarraville boy, Collins (23) had been alternated from CHF to CHB in his early years at the club. He was highly successful and won 2 best & fairests, but Sutton felt he could add something extra as full forward. Prior to Collins, we tended to have lumbering types, but Collins mobile, hard leading style greatly aided our playing style and was ultimately a key factor in further success.

The other big key in '53 was the recruitment of ruckman Harvey Stevens (22) from Collingwood. The son of former club great Arthur Stevens, he made a massive contribution, rucking single handedly most of the year, winning the club best and fairest and polling a season club high 12 brownlow votes.

[Twodogs]

I'd love to know how Harvey (love that name! ;) ) Stevens found his way to Collingwood in the first instance.

Harvey wasn't just the son of a champion. His Grandfather was Chidda Stevens the multi premiership winning ruckman in the 20s.
I know he lived in Collingwood territory but here we are scooping pretty much every good kid in Melbourne and having a good look at them, Box came from Camberwell and there were lots of other players that came from the non western suburbs of Melbourne. And he was eligible under F/S to play with us. The father son rule had only just been invented (funnily enough because Ron Barrassi lived in Footscray but wanted to play at Melbourne) so surely the club had a look at who might be available?

But we let the young son of the third generation of a famous bulldog family go to Collingwood, win a B&F, play for Victoria and almost win a premiership before we notice him and think "oh yeah, Stevens, I wonder if he's any relation to those Stevens that played all that footy with us back in the day. Maybe he'd like to play with us".

There must be a back story.

[Bulldog4life]

I'd love to know how Harvey (love that name! ;) ) Stevens found his way to Collingwood in the first instance.

Harvey wasn't just the son of a champion. His Grandfather was Chidda Stevens the multi premiership winning ruckman in the 20s.
I know he lived in Collingwood territory but here we are scooping pretty much every good kid in Melbourne and having a good look at them, Box came from Camberwell and there were lots of other players that came from the non western suburbs of Melbourne. And he was eligible under F/S to play with us. The father son rule had only just been invented (funnily enough because Ron Barrassi lived in Footscray but wanted to play at Melbourne) so surely the club had a look at who might be available?

But we let the young son of the third generation of a famous bulldog family go to Collingwood, win a B&F, play for Victoria and almost win a premiership before we notice him and think "oh yeah, Stevens, I wonder if he's any relation to those Stevens that played all that footy with us back in the day. Maybe he'd like to play with us".

There must be a back story.

According to The Bulldog Heritage Book Harvey Stevens was born in Footscray in 1930. He went to West Footscray Primary School. When he was 9 he moved to Reservoir. He went to Preston Tech at aged 12. He played with Collingwood starting in 1948. As an aside he used to work 5 hours in a butcher shop on a Satuirday and then played football. I can only assume he went to Collingwood because of the Reservior/ Preston connection.

[Webby]

I'll raise you one and tell you that Harvey lived on Gordon Street, opposite the WO and his dad captained the club. He also attended West Footscray Primary. However his family moved to Reservoir when he was 9 and he played DVFL for Reservoir - winning a flag in 1947. Father/son didn't exist and he was zoned to Collingwood.

He played a few years there, including many finals, but was never their b&f. He was simply delisted by the Pies prior to the '53 season and, after talking briefly with Fitzroy, did the logical thing and came home to the Dogs. He won our b&f straight off the bat.

Harvey's mother died when he was 16 and his father was very ill. He had much younger siblings to support (aged 8 & 4), so he worked as a butcher and footballer. Collingwood have always paid pretty well!

Anyway, there's a bit of background. He was a Doggies supporter, but simply zoned to the Pies. He lived in Watsonia from the early 1960's and coached East Ballarat for a couple of years prior to that.

[Bulldog4life]

I'd love to know how Harvey (love that name! ;) ) Stevens found his way to Collingwood in the first instance.

Harvey wasn't just the son of a champion. His Grandfather was Chidda Stevens the multi premiership winning ruckman in the 20s.
I know he lived in Collingwood territory but here we are scooping pretty much every good kid in Melbourne and having a good look at them, Box came from Camberwell and there were lots of other players that came from the non western suburbs of Melbourne. And he was eligible under F/S to play with us. The father son rule had only just been invented (funnily enough because Ron Barrassi lived in Footscray but wanted to play at Melbourne) so surely the club had a look at who might be available?

But we let the young son of the third generation of a famous bulldog family go to Collingwood, win a B&F, play for Victoria and almost win a premiership before we notice him and think "oh yeah, Stevens, I wonder if he's any relation to those Stevens that played all that footy with us back in the day. Maybe he'd like to play with us".

There must be a back story.

Pretty sure Chidda was his father.

[Webby]

Yep and Chidda was killed during Harvey's first and b&f season with the Dogs when he was hit by a train in Reservoir.

[LostDoggy]

Pretty sure Chidda was his father.

You are rght B4L, Athur 'Chidder' Stevens was Harvey's father. He played 6 years at Footscray ('27-'32), Captaining in 1929. Harvey also Captained the club ('57). As others have mentioned, Harvey played juniors at Reservoir and was stitched up by Collingwood early.

He was mainly trialled as a young full forward by Collingwood and played there in the 1952 losing GF team, but was one of several players released after the club was badly beaten in that match. At 22, he had 5 seasons at Collingwood, playing 54 games and kicking 56 goals. In his 5 years at Footscray, he rucked in our strongest era, played 72 games and kicked 71 goals - other honours included a club B&F ('53) and equal 3rd in the Brownlow ('54).

[Twodogs]

Pretty sure Chidda was his father.


Yep and Chidda was killed during Harvey's first and b&f season with the Dogs when he was hit by a train in Reservoir.


You are rght B4L, Athur 'Chidder' Stevens was Harvey's father. He played 6 years at Footscray ('27-'32), Captaining in 1929. Harvey also Captained the club ('57). As others have mentioned, Harvey played juniors at Reservoir and was stitched up by Collingwood early.

He was mainly trialled as a young full forward by Collingwood and played there in the 1952 losing GF team, but was one of several players released after the club was badly beaten in that match. At 22, he had 5 seasons at Collingwood, playing 54 games and kicking 56 goals. In his 5 years at Footscray, he rucked in our strongest era, played 72 games and kicked 71 goals - other honours included a club B&F ('53) and equal 3rd in the Brownlow ('54).

Cheers boys. So Harvey didn't blossom until he came to Footscray. That's even better. Does anyone know his grandad's name?

[bornadog]

According to The Bulldog Heritage Book Harvey Stevens was born in Footscray in 1930. He went to West Footscray Primary School. When he was 9 he moved to Reservoir. He went to Preston Tech at aged 12. He played with Collingwood starting in 1948. As an aside he used to work 5 hours in a butcher shop on a Satuirday and then played football. I can only assume he went to Collingwood because of the Reservior/ Preston connection.

I went to that school for a couple of years in the 60s. I wonder how many footballers went there in the past?

[Twodogs]

I was at school for the moon landing. We had a telly in the classroom with that long telecast of the landing mission on it.

[jeemak]

I was at school for the moon landing. We had a telly in the classroom with that long telecast of the landing mission on it.

Awesome.

It's amazing how space exploration captivated us, and to be honest, I'm a little jealous of you.

[Twodogs]

Awesome.

It's amazing how space exploration captivated us, and to be honest, I'm a little jealous of you.

It was pretty big. Everyone had model spacecraft. You could buy them in the shops, they came piece by piece in cereal packs and magazines. Probably none of them had anything to do with the space mission but that wasn't the point. We all had model spacecraft was the point.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #9 (CURRENTLY 1-7)

So we get to the year 1954 (spoiler alert: it's a good'n).

It was a bit curious that our home & away season in 54 was not as strong as 53 (or as 55 for that matter) in terms of wins or percentage, but the way the ladder played out that year, we snuck into the hugely advantageous 2nd spot (for the first time ever).

We entered the 54 season bristling with confidence after a strong 53 finals showing and a hot young list. We started slowly, dropping our first game, at home, to perennial strugglers St Kilda, and then our 2nd game to Richmond, but quickly found our groove - after R7 we were top of the table.

We ultimately finished 2nd to Geelong, with a 11-6 win/loss (1 draw) and a 129.95%.

What was outstanding about the 54 h&a season was our defensive record, conceding just over 60 points per game, our total conceded 130 points less than any other team - Sutton had built a fierce defensive unit, our points conceded record (especially in 53-55) under him was exceptional.

Of our forwards, Jack Collins had an amazing year, despite missing the first 2 matches suspended, he kicked 37 goals in 6 games upon return, ultimately kicking 84 goals in just 17 games and becoming the first ever Bulldog to be the leagues highest goalscorer in a season.

So we found ourselves into a Qualifying Final for the first time ever, facing Geelong at the MCG in front of 64,686. Geelong had finished clear top with a 13-5 record in what was a pretty even year.

We now had a really solid core of youngsters in the 50-100 game bracket, but overall our group was still very young. Our team in this match barely averaged 23, with only 5 players at 25 or over (Angus Abbey, Wally Donald, Dave Bryden, Alan Martin and Jack Nutall), with only 3 having played 100 games (Donald, Bryden and Martin - Donald captained the team, with Sutton out injured).

Kicking into a breeze, we were the slower starters, trailling at quarter time, 3.1.19 to 4.5.29, however with wind in the 2nd we quicly established ascendancy, going into half time leading 7.7.49 to 4.8.32. Geelong could only draw level in the 3rd (7.10.52 apiece at 3QT) and we ran away in the last to win 11.19.85 to 8.14.62.

As it turned out, the 3 first quarter goals were invaluable, only one further goal was scored into the wind all match.

Press reports noted Footscray's clearly superior play, with the half back dashes of Whitten, Martin and Gallagher singled out.

Collins kicked 4, Kerr and Stevens 2, whilst best players were listed as Stevens, Box, Whitten and Ross.

[Twodogs]

Someone is going to be very unlucky with two weeks off and the captain-coach to come back.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #10 - THE 1954 GRAND FINAL

So after 8 final series in 17 years, the Dogs had finally found their way to a GF. Their opponent on the big day, was something of a surprise, with 4th placed Melbourne overrunning minor premiers Geelong to make their way into the big one. Little did anyone know this was to be the first of 7 consecutive GFs for Melbourne (for 5 flags).

This is a frustrating stat to look back on as both teams were 23 years old average age on the day and both should've been looking at the game as the start of a great era.

The Dogs had strengthened their experience for the day, with 30 year old Captain Coach Charlie Sutton returning from injury, replacing 19 year old 7 gamer Lionel Ryan, then in his first year.

The grand final was played in front of 80,897.

The game itself was pretty much over early. We made our fairly typical fast start and converted our opportunities, leading 6.3.39 to 1.4.10 at quarter time. Melbourne did score 3 consecutive goals in the 2nd quarter until a Jack Collins goal on half time restored the margin to 23 points.

The lead stayed in the 4 to 6 goal range for most of the match thereafter, until a late flurry saw us pull away to be dominant winners; 15.12.102 to 7.9.51.

Sutton watched the hard fought prelim and believed his team would be fresher than their opposition. He worked on a game plan that further emphasised our hard running, open game involving a lot of handballing (by the standards of the day). Reports of the game describe our first quarter as explosive.

Sutton started himself in the forward pocket, in the first quarter he was involved in heavy clashes with Melbourne stars Ron Barassi and John Beckwith (one reporter said this of Sutton on the day "he has lost none of his vitality...he is a master in the scientific use of weight" - classic).

Overall, the Dogs played a near perfect game of 1950's VFL footy. After the match, Melbourne coach Norm Smith is quoted as saying that, on the day, a combined team of the best players from the other 11 clubs could not have beaten them.

In a superb team effort, best players were listed as Kerr, Bryden, Ross, Collins, Whitten and Reynolds.

Jack Collins kicked 7 goals (to this day only 3 players have kicked more in a GF - Gary Ablett, Gordon Coventry and Dermott Brereton). Gloriously, Sutton also kicked 3.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #10 - THE 1954 GRAND FINAL

So after 8 final series in 17 years, the Dogs had finally found their way to a GF. Their opponent on the big day, was something of a surprise, with 4th placed Melbourne overrunning minor premiers Geelong to make their way into the big one. Little did anyone know this was to be the first of 7 consecutive GFs for Melbourne (for 5 flags).

This is a frustrating stat to look back on as both teams were 23 years old average age on the day and both should've been looking at the game as the start of a great era.

The Dogs had strengthened their experience for the day, with 30 year old Captain Coach Charlie Sutton returning from injury, replacing 19 year old 7 gamer Lionel Ryan, then in his first year.

The grand final was played in front of 80,897.

The game itself was pretty much over early. We made our fairly typical fast start and converted our opportunities, leading 6.3.39 to 1.4.10 at quarter time. Melbourne did score 3 consecutive goals in the 2nd quarter until a Jack Collins goal on half time restored the margin to 23 points.

The lead stayed in the 4 to 6 goal range for most of the match thereafter, until a late flurry saw us pull away to be dominant winners; 15.12.102 to 7.9.51.

Sutton watched the hard fought prelim and believed his team would be fresher than their opposition. He worked on a game plan that further emphasised our hard running, open game involving a lot of handballing (by the standards of the day). Reports of the game describe our first quarter as explosive.

Sutton started himself in the forward pocket, in the first quarter he was involved in heavy clashes with Melbourne stars Ron Barassi and John Beckwith (one reporter said this of Sutton on the day "he has lost none of his vitality...he is a master in the scientific use of weight" - classic).

Overall, the Dogs played a near perfect game of 1950's VFL footy. After the match, Melbourne coach Norm Smith is quoted as saying that, on the day, a combined team of the best players from the other 11 clubs could not have beaten them.

In a superb team effort, best players were listed as Kerr, Bryden, Ross, Collins, Whitten and Reynolds.

Jack Collins kicked 7 goals (to this day only 3 players have kicked more in a GF - Gary Ablett, Gordon Coventry and Dermott Brereton). Gloriously, Sutton also kicked 3.
That is quite interesting about both teams' average ages being 23.

When we played Melbourne in the 54 grand final, both teams' average age on their lists was 23 years. It was anticipated it would be the start of a great era for both teams. Sadly this wasn't the case for the Bulldogs, missing finals the next year and only playing in one final series between 55-60, whereas Melbourne played in the grand final in all six of the years for five premierships. We may have been laughing when the final siren sounded in the 54 grand final, but ultimately it was Melbourne who ended up laughing with the immediate success that was to follow.

[Eastdog]

Just been skimming the thread but have to read the posts properly but kudos to PeanutsPeanuts for your insightful information on some of the history of our finals. In the short time you've been on Woof you have been a strong contributor to the forum.

[merantau]

Just been skimming the thread but have to read the posts properly but kudos to PeanutsPeanuts for your insightful information on some of the history of our finals. In the short time you've been on Woof you have been a strong contributor to the forum.
I'll second that. Very good reading - much appreciated.

[LostDoggy]

Cheers guys. Appreciate the kind words. I only started this thread as a result of other posts making me realise how little I knew about our history. I'm researching these as I go, it's been a good learning experience for me.

[Drunken Bum]

(one reporter said this of Sutton on the day "he has lost none of his vitality...he is a master in the scientific use of weight" - classic). .
This gave me a chuckle, love it


Just been skimming the thread but have to read the posts properly but kudos to PeanutsPeanuts for your insightful information on some of the history of our finals. In the short time you've been on Woof you have been a strong contributor to the forum.

Yeah and a third from me, cheers PP appreciate your input, always a good read.

[Twodogs]

This gave me a chuckle, love it



Yeah and a third from me, cheers PP appreciate your input, always a good read.


Fourth from me. Great reading the posts and the discussion following. I'm looking forward to getting to tge ones when we start to remember the games. Everybody has a story to tell then.

[jeemak]

I'll say PP, this is genuinely top shelf. I jumped into the thread and have had excellent time delivered.

[Bulldog4life]

Congrats PP on this great thread. Much appreciated.

[LostDoggy]

OUR VFL/AFL FINAL #11 (CURRENTLY 3-7)

So we've scaled the mountain and now, as we all know, it's 61 years of wasted opportunities amongst periods of just plain sucking. But we're Dogs fans so we'll persevere.

1955 was a massive disappointment for the club. Having played finals in 51, 53 and 54, and progressed further every time, our young list was really placed for an era of dominance and multiple flags. It is interesting to note that our 1955 membership total was 12,315, then the highest ever for any club.

Good teams back up though, and we should have, but having looked at the 55 season, holy moley we were stiff.

We actually won more games in 55 than in 54 and had a slightly higher percentage (12-6 and 129.96%), for a net result of 5th rather than 2nd. We still had, statistically, the best defence in the league also - conceding just 56 points per game.

We opened with 2 powerful wins (including an opening 10 goal win at Vic Park) and were generally in the 4 throughout the season. Of our losses all year, only 1 exceeded 2 goals (and that was by 20 points).

But this is the really unlucky bit:

After 16 rounds (2 games to go) we were in the 4 - and we won our final 2 games by 18 pts and 60 pts!! However Essendon, who were 2.3% behind us after R16, won their last 2 games by 73 pts and 42 pts, to surpass us by 0.6% (less than 2 goals).

Essendon were narrowly defeated by Geelong the following week, with Collingwood and Melbourne also in the finals. Given recent results in recent finals meetings, who knows what could've happened?

Anyways, on to 1956 and our next finals appearance.

The big event during the year was Charlie Sutton's retirement as a player (at 32) in May. He realised in early games that his body had gone and stayed on as non-playing coach (a rarity for Footscray in those days). Wally Donald was appointed Captain.

The final round of the year had a bit of deja vu about it. We were sitting 5th, playing Carlton, 4th, at Princes Park with the winner progressing. Match reports indicate a wild atmosphere, with 45,000 jammed in and many turned away, however the Dogs led at every change, never gaining a comfortable ascendancy but ultimately winning by 17 points; 62-45.

So we ended the season 4th, with a 11-7 record (114.2%).

Our Elimination Final opponent was (again) Geelong. The match was at the MCG in front of 79,402.

The make up of the squad is interesting. Although the core group had matured, the loss of Sutton, Abbey and Bryden, meant that the average age was still young (barely 23). Most players were 22-24, with only Wally Donald (29) over 26 (Henderson was missing, injured).

The game was played in the wet and the ground was described as (even by 50s standards) a black bog.

This game was the reverse of many earlier finals. Early on, with a dry ball, Geelong were fast and skilful and went to quarter time leading 4.1.25 to 1.2.8. However, the longer the game went the more our guile came to the fore. By half time, we had clawed it back to 8 points; 4.6.30 to Geelong's 6.2.38. By 3QT the margin was 2 points; we trailled 5.8.38 to 6.4.40.

In an excruciating final quarter, we kicked 5 points to 1 point to sneak ahead 5.13.43 to 6.5.41.

We were now seasoned finalists, just getting the job done - keeping Geelong to 3 points after half time to win our 4th of 5 finals over a 4 year stretch.

Max Cross, who was full forward for most of '56 with Jack Collins moving out to CHF, kicked 4 of our 5 goals to bring his season's tally to 50.

Best players were listed as Stockman, Whitten, Cross, Porta, Duffy and Collins.

[LostDoggy]

Two things that I love there.

1) We trailed Geelong at 3/4 time, didn't kick a final term goal, yet still managed to apply enough defensive pressure to beat them.

2) We had the most members in 1955. Wow!

[LostDoggy]

PP, I am going to nickname you The Walking Encylopedia of Whitten Oval.

[LostDoggy]

They are 2 amazing facts that blew me away too - that last quarter must have been insane. I can assure you, I am no encyclopedia. I have been looking this stuff up as I go - it's been an enjoyable exercise for me.

[Bulldog4life]

They are 2 amazing facts that blew me away too - that last quarter must have been insane. I can assure you, I am no encyclopedia. I have been looking this stuff up as I go - it's been an enjoyable exercise for me.

Looking forward to the 1961 finals PP as although only 9 years old just on 10 I can remember the games we played in especially the Grannie

[LostDoggy]

They are 2 amazing facts that blew me away too - that last quarter must have been insane. I can assure you, I am no encyclopedia. I have been looking this stuff up as I go - it's been an enjoyable exercise for me.
Not quite as amazing, but fairly relevant considering it was a big game for the club, is Ted Whitten's 321st and final game. Round five of 1970 against Hawthorn produced the same total of goals in the final quarter - 0!

[Twodogs]

I can remember being at a game in the last 5-10 years that was really tight and tense and when it finished I realised that there hadn't been a goal kicked in the last quarter. I don't remember who it was against. Geelong maybe?

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #12 (CURRENTLY 4-7)

So we're through to the '56 Preliminary Final, our 3rd in 4 years.

We come up against Collingwood and play in front of 94,104 at the MCG (a then all time crowd record for a Prelim).

The Dogs seemed to be considered slight favourites going into the match, but again started poorly, with Collingwood scoring 4.1 before we scored anything and ultimately leading 6.1.37 to 3.0.18 at quarter time, with the aid of the breeze though.

We were all over them in the 2nd, however bad finals habits reappeared and we blazed away to kick 2.8 for the quarter whilst keeping Collingwood scoreless. At the main break we led by 1 point (5.8.38 to 6.1.37) but it should've been a lot more.

The Pies agan took their opportunities in the third to lead 11.5.71 to 6.9.45 at 3QT. A 26 point deficit was imposing but gettable, kicking to the scoring end in the last.

The last was a trainwreck though, with our panicky forays forward falling apart and Collingwood ultimately running away 39 point victors (15.6.96 to 7.15.57). Even though well beaten, we had more scoring shots on the day.

The post match reports indicate a frustrated group who knew they were Collingwood's equal, but failed to take their chances on the day.

One conceded error was playing Herb Henderson, returning from injury, on a half back flank, whilst Collingwood full forward Ken Smale kicked 8 goals (HH had previously kept him relatively quiet).

For us, Harvey Stevens kicked 3 goals and Max Cross 2. Best players were listed as Stockman, Reynolds, Whitten, Stevens and Ross.

The club was still buoyant about it's future though, seemingly with good grounds. 3 Prelims in 4 years, a flag, a strong financial position (1956 gate receipts were our highest ever and membership was still strong a 12,500) and a strong list should have been ample grounds for positivity.

Just to emphasise list strength:

Peter Box (24) won the Brownlow that year, although our b&f went to fellow midfielder Don Ross (22). Other top young midfielders that year included Ron Stockman (22), John Kerr (22), Roger Duffy (24), Jim Gallagher (25), Arthur Edwards (22) and Doug Reynolds (23). All of these mids were entering their best years, they had played similar games (range was 58-94 games) and were seemingly a group with years together as a top line unit.

Our spine was rock solid, with Max Cross (22) finishing 2nd in the VFL goalkicking table in 1956 with 52, Jack Collins (26 and an even better full forward, but meeting team needs as an excellent CHF), Ted Whitten (23, a superstar at CHB - of course later named the VFL's CHB of the century and arguably the greatest player of all time), Herb Henderson (25 and an elite full back) and Harvey Stevens (26) an inspiring ruckman.

I've left a few out, but that group of powerful, experienced 22-26 years olds formed the core of a team that really had the world at their feet.

Charlie Sutton said post match that he was more confident of a 1957 Premiership than he was in 1954 and nobody queried his optimism.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #12 (CURRENTLY 4-8)

So we've finished 1956 with the club in great shape; a flag and 3 prelims in 4 yeas, a vibrant young list, optimistic coach and strong off-field position, yet we don't reappear in the finals until 1961.

Before I jump to '61, feel like I need a quick look at the disastrous late '50s.

Early '57 shows no signs of major problems, we are top of the table undefeated after 3 rounds, and well placed in 3rd after 12.

The whole football world was shocked at this point when we announced, seemingly completely out of nowhere, that Charlie Sutton had been sacked as Coach despite us being well poised for another push deep into the finals.

Reading some reports of the day, there were hints that there were schisms developing within the board and the playing group. After '56, it was decided that 30yo Wally Donald should pass down the Captaincy to a younger leader, with some feeling powerful on-field leader Harvey Stevens was the natural heir, whilst others felt he should be by-passed for the dynamic 23yo superstar Ted Whitten. After a reportedly heated battle, Stevens was ultimately made captain.

After Suttons removal, the board turned around and appointed Whitten Coach (at 23!!). As a result, Stevens was obliged to stand down as Captain, making Whitten Captain-Coach.

It is apparent that these moves caused shockwaves through the group, with many feeling fiercely loyal to a deeply hurt Sutton. Peter Box is one who was said to be particularly uncomfortable with Whitten's rapid promotion.

Looking back, even Whitten recognises that his promotion occurred years too early.

The immediate impacts were not good. We lost R13 to lowly StKilda to fall out of the 4 and never recover. We won 2 of the next 6 to finish (9-1-8) 6th.

Worse was to follow. The Whitten led Dogs won 6 games to finish 11th in 1958 and then 3 games in 1959 to be VFL wooden spooners for the first time in our proud history.

Those years were horrific. Aside from poor on-field performances, players who played their last games for the club included Herb Henderson (27), Jack Collins (28), Harvey Stevens (27), Peter Box (25), Don Ross (24), Lionel Ryan (21), Ron Stockman (23), John Kerr (23) and others before their time.

The board had clearly made some rash decisions and the team was not happy. Many loved the club, but were unhappy with the current environment, rather than go to a rival VFL team, they took lucrative interstate or country offers.

EJ had been left to carry the can. To his great credit, he brought the club through the other side.

We showed some improvement to finish 10th in 1960, and then great improvement in 1961.

By this time, Whitten was a 27 year old experienced Captain Coach and (obviously) towering figure, but he had built a strong group around him. Of particular note; Ruckman John Schultz (22 by 1961) who debuted in 1958 and by 1960 was a Brownlow Medallist and club B&F, and a brilliant young group including Merv Hobbs (19), Bob Spargo (19), Ian Bryant (21), Ken Duff (19), John Jillard (20), Charlie Evans (19) and Bob Ware (Norm's Son, 20).

We started 1961 brilliantly, sitting alone atop the ladder undefeated after 4 rounds. However, patchy midseason form saw us fall as low as 8th. By the final round we were sitting 5th, playing 3rd placed Geelong at home in the final round. They were 2 points ahead of us, so a win guaranteed us a finals place.

Over 42,000 jammed into the Western Oval, and it would've rocked as we led by 12 at half time, then 9 at 3QT and ultimately by 19 (12.12.84 to 8.15.63).

So we finished the season 4th, and played off against StKilda in the elimination final, at the MCG in front of 86,411.

As in the early-mid 50s, we were exceptionally young, aside from Whitten (just turned 28), the only Dogs player over 24 to play in the match was wingman Alex (Alec? reports differ) Gardiner (26).

The young Dogs jumped the Saints early, leading 3.3.21 to 1.4.10 at quarter time and then 7.7.49 to 3.7.25 at half time.

By 3QT we led 9.11.65 to 6.9.45, and despite a StKilda comeback and wasteful kicking, we ultimately held on 9.15.69 to 8.12.60.

Match reports mention windy conditions making scoring difficult.

For the Dogs Merv Hobbs kicked 3 (to bring the first year Rover's total to 26 in 12 games), Ted Whitten and Jack Slattery 2 each.

Best players were listed as Charlie Evans (defender who repelled many late attacks), Hobbs, Whitten, Schultz, Spargo and Ware.

[bornadog]

We did our best to give another one away by kicking 4 behinds in the last quarter.

[merantau]

[Over 42,000 jammed into the Western Oval, and it would've rocked as we led by 12 at half time, then 9 at 3QT and ultimately by 19 (12.12.84 to 8.15.63).]

I was at this game and remember it well In the second quarter Ted Whitten kicked the two longest drop kick goals I ever saw from out on the Doug Hawkins Wing to the Barkly St end - magnificent.
The atmosphere in the rooms after the game was just the best. Ted game a rousing speech standing on a table while he towelled himself down after a shower -

[LostDoggy]

That must be an amazing memory merantau. Do you remember much of the club's turmoils through the late 50s and what the word was around town?

[merantau]

That must be an amazing memory merantau. Do you remember much of the club's turmoils through the late 50s and what the word was around town?
I was too young to appreciate the politics of it all. The sacking of Charlie Sutton was big news at the time. We went through some tough times in the late 50s so 1961 was very welcome. Our success was partly due to Ted Whitten reintroducing the flick pass. Due to pressure from other coaches the VFL banned it part way through the season if I remember correctly.

[Bulldog4life]

VFL/AFL FINAL #12 (CURRENTLY 4-8)

So we've finished 1956 with the club in great shape; a flag and 3 prelims in 4 yeas, a vibrant young list, optimistic coach and strong off-field position, yet we don't reappear in the finals until 1961.

Before I jump to '61, feel like I need a quick look at the disastrous late '50s.

Early '57 shows no signs of major problems, we are top of the table undefeated after 3 rounds, and well placed in 3rd after 12.

The whole football world was shocked at this point when we announced, seemingly completely out of nowhere, that Charlie Sutton had been sacked as Coach despite us being well poised for another push deep into the finals.

Reading some reports of the day, there were hints that there were schisms developing within the board and the playing group. After '56, it was decided that 30yo Wally Donald should pass down the Captaincy to a younger leader, with some feeling powerful on-field leader Harvey Stevens was the natural heir, whilst others felt he should be by-passed for the dynamic 23yo superstar Ted Whitten. After a reportedly heated battle, Stevens was ultimately made captain.

After Suttons removal, the board turned around and appointed Whitten Coach (at 23!!). As a result, Stevens was obliged to stand down as Captain, making Whitten Captain-Coach.

It is apparent that these moves caused shockwaves through the group, with many feeling fiercely loyal to a deeply hurt Sutton. Peter Box is one who was said to be particularly uncomfortable with Whitten's rapid promotion.

Looking back, even Whitten recognises that his promotion occurred years too early.

The immediate impacts were not good. We lost R13 to lowly StKilda to fall out of the 4 and never recover. We won 2 of the next 6 to finish (9-1-8) 6th.

Worse was to follow. The Whitten led Dogs won 6 games to finish 11th in 1958 and then 3 games in 1959 to be VFL wooden spooners for the first time in our proud history.

Those years were horrific. Aside from poor on-field performances, players who played their last games for the club included Herb Henderson (27), Jack Collins (28), Harvey Stevens (27), Peter Box (25), Don Ross (24), Lionel Ryan (21), Ron Stockman (23), John Kerr (23) and others before their time.

The board had clearly made some rash decisions and the team was not happy. Many loved the club, but were unhappy with the current environment, rather than go to a rival VFL team, they took lucrative interstate or country offers.

EJ had been left to carry the can. To his great credit, he brought the club through the other side.

We showed some improvement to finish 10th in 1960, and then great improvement in 1961.

By this time, Whitten was a 27 year old experienced Captain Coach and (obviously) towering figure, but he had built a strong group around him. Of particular note; Ruckman John Schultz (22 by 1961) who debuted in 1958 and by 1960 was a Brownlow Medallist and club B&F, and a brilliant young group including Merv Hobbs (19), Bob Spargo (19), Ian Bryant (21), Ken Duff (19), John Jillard (20), Charlie Evans (19) and Bob Ware (Norm's Son, 20).

We started 1961 brilliantly, sitting alone atop the ladder undefeated after 4 rounds. However, patchy midseason form saw us fall as low as 8th. By the final round we were sitting 5th, playing 3rd placed Geelong at home in the final round. They were 2 points ahead of us, so a win guaranteed us a finals place.

Over 42,000 jammed into the Western Oval, and it would've rocked as we led by 12 at half time, then 9 at 3QT and ultimately by 19 (12.12.84 to 8.15.63).

So we finished the season 4th, and played off against StKilda in the elimination final, at the MCG in front of 86,411.

As in the early-mid 50s, we were exceptionally young, aside from Whitten (just turned 28), the only Dogs player over 24 to play in the match was wingman Alex (Alec? reports differ) Gardiner (26).

The young Dogs jumped the Saints early, leading 3.3.21 to 1.4.10 at quarter time and then 7.7.49 to 3.7.25 at half time.

By 3QT we led 9.11.65 to 6.9.45, and despite a StKilda comeback and wasteful kicking, we ultimately held on 9.15.69 to 8.12.60.

Match reports mention windy conditions making scoring difficult.

For the Dogs Merv Hobbs kicked 3 (to bring the first year Rover's total to 26 in 12 games), Ted Whitten and Jack Slattery 2 each.

Best players were listed as Charlie Evans (defender who repelled many late attacks), Hobbs, Whitten, Schultz, Spargo and Ware.

Great write up PP. I have always known him as Alec. His nick name was Racehorse. A very fast wingman.

[Bulldog4life]

I was too young to appreciate the politics of it all. The sacking of Charlie Sutton was big news at the time. We went through some tough times in the late 50s so 1961 was very welcome. Our success was partly due to Ted Whitten reintroducing the flick pass. Due to pressure from other coaches the VFL banned it part way through the season if I remember correctly.

I think it was banned mid 1960's Merantau if my memory is correct. I might be wrong but sure it was after 1961.

[LostDoggy]

I'm not saying this is 100% correct by any means, but I remember reading that the flick pass was banned mid way through 1961. I can't remember where I read it, but it was definitely in a book, so I reckon that would hold pretty good weight of being correct.

[merantau]

It was Norm Smith who began bleating about the flick pass being a throw and led the charge against it. Definitely 1961 and the umpires penalised it out of existence.

[LostDoggy]

Great write up PP. I have always known him as Alec. His nick name was Racehorse. A very fast wingman.

Thanks B4L. I noticed most press reports referred to him as Alec, but the official stats listed him as Alex. Maybe Alec was the name he was known as colloquially.

[Bulldog4life]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handball_(Australian_rules_football)

The flick pass was re-instated before the 1934 season. In the late 1950s and early 1960s it re-emerged as a common technique to achieve centre square clearances from scrimmages, particularly at VFL club Fitzroy. Of the 88 handballs executed during the 1961 VFL Grand Final, 18 were flick passes. The flick pass was abolished permanently in 1966

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #14 (CURRENTLY 5-8)

Having taken care of StKilda, EJ's young Dogs are into the '61 Preliminary Final.

We could not have come up against a tougher opponent than Melbourne, who had competed in the previous 7 grand finals (5 flags), finished the '61 season 2nd with clearly the best percentage and narrowly lost the first final by 7 points.

On paper they were clear favourites, and on experience they were miles ahead with 9 players with over 100 games and 3 players under 21 (2 20 and 1 19). By comparison, we had 1 100 gamer (Whitten of course) and 9 under 21 (4 20 and 5 19).

In total, Melbourne took 1660 games of experience into the match, to our 891. But we'd earnt the right to have a crack and the match took place at the MCG in front of 86,118.

As happened so often in our finals history, we hit the ground running in the first quarter, with a mixture of fierce defence and hard running attack (and the wind) leading to a dominant quarter time scoreline of Footscray 4.3.27 to Melbourne 0.2.2.

Melbourne rallied slightly in the 2nd but didn't fully capitalise on it's 5 scoring shot to 2 quarter, and the Dogs led at half time, 5.4.34 to 2.5.17.

A 17 point half time lead was handy, but the Dogs smashed Melbourne in the 3rd, with a 6 goal to 2 qtr leaving them 7 goal leaders at 3QT (11.6 to 4.6), before ultimately cruising to a 27 point victory, 13.7.85 to 8.10.58.

Leading goalkickers were Jack Slattery 4, Merv Hobbs 3, Ted Whitten 2 and Barney MacKellar 2.

Best players were listed as dominant ruckman John Schultz, CHB John Hoiles, Centreman Bob Spargo (who defeated 4 opponents through the day), Alec Gardiner and Charlie Evans.

(Little fact I learned: I have seen photos of the legendary mark rover Merv Hobbs took in this match. What I didn't realise was that he took it over a much taller opponent, 15 metres from goal (and converted) in the midst of our 3rd quarter goal spree - what a highlight that would have been.)

Remarkably, Melbourne's great era was bookended by 2 comprehensive losses to Footscray. We smashed them, in their first GF appearance of the era in '54 and now knocked them out of their chance for a 8th consecutive GF at the last hurdle.

Happy days, but we had bigger fish to fry - in the form of Hawthorn, our opponents in the 1961 VFL Grand Final.

[bornadog]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb256/Diggydogxx/Hobbs.jpg

[LostDoggy]

I love Whitten in that photo too. Bandaged, bruised, rapt but ready to pounce.

[The bulldog tragician]

This is wonderful stuff PP. it is incredible to think that this was the last occasion we won a preliminary final. Scrap that, it's mortifying. It's time, you young Dogs, to create a new story for us...

[LostDoggy]

This is wonderful stuff PP. it is incredible to think that this was the last occasion we won a preliminary final. Scrap that, it's mortifying. It's time, you young Dogs, to create a new story for us...

Cheers BT. Sadly, it's not only our last Prelim win, it's our only win (skipped Prelims entirely in '54). By my count we are 1 from 10. An ugly aspect of our VFL/AFL history that needs to be amended - hopefully this could be the year (if not, soon)!!

[merantau]

Thanks PP, great reading. The Melbourne player in the photo was Trevor Johnson. The win was a real boil over. No one gave us a chance.
Merv Hobbs was printer by trade and when he finished with football he opened a business opposite the Plough Hotel in Victoria St (???) appropriately named "High Mark Press".

[LostDoggy]

Thanks PP, great reading. The Melbourne player in the photo was Trevor Johnson. The win was a real boil over. No one gave us a chance.
Merv Hobbs was printer by trade and when he finished with football he opened a business opposite the Plough Hotel in Victoria St (???) appropriately named "High Mark Press".

Yep. Merv had a lot of interests in Willy, was involved with the footy club for years and also ran the Crown Hotel - I used to get down there on occasion, can remember him behind the bar. He must've been a little gun of a player, kicked 115 goals in 74 matches before injuries derailed his career at 23. Originally came from Daylesford, same town as Chris Grant.

[Bulldog4life]

Yep. Merv had a lot of interests in Willy, was involved with the footy club for years and also ran the Crown Hotel - I used to get down there on occasion, can remember him behind the bar. He must've been a little gun of a player, kicked 115 goals in 74 matches before injuries derailed his career at 23. Originally came from Daylesford, same town as Chris Grant.

I was at the prelim final and was lucky enough to see the mark live. i can still remember it. Incredible. Also saw Hobbsy kick 8 goals against South Melbourne at the Lakeside Oval in the 60's. He was a gun that had his career cut short.

[merantau]

Yes, he was a very good player. He must have enjoyed playing against South - I saw him kick seven against them at the Whitten Oval.

[LostDoggy]

Great stuff PP.
Loving all the write ups.
Keep up the great work.

[LostDoggy]

Any chance PP when you get to 2010 can I request a write up of the NAB cup GF.:o

I know it was only a pre cursor to the real stuff begining but a glorious balmy night of Bazza turning it on in the last with 6 of the best against Shit.Kilda.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

I missed that match I was at Status Quo at the Palais such bad timing

[bornadog]

I missed that match I was at Status Quo at the Palais such bad timing

Me too, I was attending a National Sports event supporting my daughter.

[Twodogs]

And the 2014 VFL premiership.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Me too, I was attending a National Sports event supporting my daughter.

I kept getting messages saying "Bazzzzaaa"

[LostDoggy]

Bazzzaaaa!!!!

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Itis happening again

[LostDoggy]

Any chance PP when you get to 2010 can I request a write up of the NAB cup GF.:o

I know it was only a pre cursor to the real stuff begining but a glorious balmy night of Bazza turning it on in the last with 6 of the best against Shit.Kilda.
Will do Redders :)

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #15 (CURRENTLY 6-8) - THE 1961 GRAND FINAL

So we've rolled the Melbourne powerhouse in the '61 Prelim in a mighty boilover to create a historic GF against Hawthorn.

Historic in that both clubs entered the comp in 1925 and had managed to meet off in a GF 36 seasons later. To this point, Footscray had been by far the most successful of the 3 teams to enter the VFL in 1925. Consider the following (1925-60):

Flags: FO 1, HA 0, NM 0.
Finalists: FO 9, HA 1, NM 5.
Bottom 3: FO 13, HA 25, NM 18.
Last: FO 1, HA 10, NM 9.

As can be seen, Hawthorn's 35 year VFL history had been wretched prior to 1961, with only 1 finals appearance, 10 spoons and in the bottom few more often than not. Quite fitting that their first GF was against us, the team that got them into the competition and led the way as a new VFL club finding success

The GF was played at the MCG in front of 107,935 (our biggest ever crowd and only time we've played in front of over 100,000).

The day was very warm with minimal breeze.

Typically, we started the final well, leading at quarter time 4.2.26 to 2.4.16.

Our forward line was the more efficient, particularly with Whitten bagging 2 in a minute late in the quarter, however general play was very even.

Hawthorn were showing signs of getting on top in the 2nd, although nerves and poor finishing resulted in Footscray maintaining an 8 point half time lead; 5.5.35 to 3.9.27.

Although we led at half time, the signs weren't good, with Whitten, Spargo and Schultz all looking injured and Hawthorn finishing the quarter much the better in the heat.

Hawthorn started to really capitalise on their dominance in the 3rd, kicking 6 goals to 1 and leading at 3QT 9.15.69 to 6.6.42.

It was more of the same in the last, with the final score reading Hawthorn 13.16.94 d Footscray 7.9.51.

In the second half, Hawthorn (who had Prelim week off) were full of running in the warm conditions, whilst the Dogs looked proppy and tired. The cause wasn't helped when lively half forward Keith Beamish was cleaned up controversially just before half time and experienced wingman Alec Gardiner was also injured in the 3rd. Whitten and John Jillard both laid heavy clashes on Hawthorn's star centreman Brendan Edwards, but he got up both times and went on to be a clear best on ground.

Goalkickers were Whitten 3, Quarrell 2, McKellar, Hobbs.

Best players were listed as Whitten (despite playing forward pocket and clearly heavily injured), Schultz, Evans, Hoiles, Ware, Quarrell.

[Twodogs]

EJ, as ever, the man for the big occasion.

[Bulldog4life]

VFL/AFL FINAL #15 (CURRENTLY 6-8) - THE 1961 GRAND FINAL

So we've rolled the Melbourne powerhouse in the '61 Prelim in a mighty boilover to create a historic GF against Hawthorn.

Historic in that both clubs entered the comp in 1925 and had managed to meet off in a GF 36 seasons later. To this point, Footscray had been by far the most successful of the 3 teams to enter the VFL in 1925. Consider the following (1925-60):

Flags: FO 1, HA 0, NM 0.
Finalists: FO 9, HA 1, NM 5.
Bottom 3: FO 13, HA 25, NM 18.
Last: FO 1, HA 10, NM 9.

As can be seen, Hawthorn's 35 year VFL history had been wretched prior to 1961, with only 1 finals appearance, 10 spoons and in the bottom few more often than not. Quite fitting that their first GF was against us, the team that got them into the competition and led the way as a new VFL club finding success

The GF was played at the MCG in front of 107,935 (our biggest ever crowd and only time we've played in front of over 100,000).

The day was very warm with minimal breeze.

Typically, we started the final well, leading at quarter time 4.2.26 to 2.4.16.

Our forward line was the more efficient, particularly with Whitten bagging 2 in a minute late in the quarter, however general play was very even.

Hawthorn were showing signs of getting on top in the 2nd, although nerves and poor finishing resulted in Footscray maintaining an 8 point half time lead; 5.5.35 to 3.9.27.

Although we led at half time, the signs weren't good, with Whitten, Spargo and Schultz all looking injured and Hawthorn finishing the quarter much the better in the heat.

Hawthorn started to really capitalise on their dominance in the 3rd, kicking 6 goals to 1 and leading at 3QT 9.15.69 to 6.6.42.

It was more of the same in the last, with the final score reading Hawthorn 13.16.94 d Footscray 7.9.51.

In the second half, Hawthorn (who had Prelim week off) were full of running in the warm conditions, whilst the Dogs looked proppy and tired. The cause wasn't helped when lively half forward Keith Beamish was cleaned up controversially just before half time and experienced wingman Alec Gardiner was also injured in the 3rd. Whitten and John Jillard both laid heavy clashes on Hawthorn's star centreman Brendan Edwards, but he got up both times and went on to be a clear best on ground.

Goalkickers were Whitten 3, Quarrell 2, McKellar, Hobbs.

Best players were listed as Whitten (despite playing forward pocket and clearly heavily injured), Schultz, Evans, Hoiles, Ware, Quarrell.

Yes I was lucky enough to be there that day. In those days they played the Reserves grand final and the under 19's grand final before the main match. I remember getting there early with my dad to see all 3 games. We also got there early as we were in the standing area so we wanted to get a good position.
Althopugh I was only 9 nearly 10 I still remember most of the game vividly.We were confident at half time but it wasn't to be. Hawthorn ran all over us....Kennedy Commando's they used to call them. Edwards was best on the ground for the Hawks. The difference in the two sides just about. I still remember all the players. I was lucky enough to get into the room,s in those days as a good friend was coaching The Reserves, Roy Evans, so he made sure I got in each home game. I wish I still had my autograph books:( It wasn't all doom and gloom as we followed Yarraville closely too and the next week dad and I went to the St.Kilda ground to watch Yarraville win the premiership. Teddy gave a pep talk at half time at that game too.

Yarraville partied that night. It was a big thing for the town in those days. A lot of local people followed both teams too. For those interested I believe the game....the doggies....is on Youtube and yes....you will see a flick pass.

[LostDoggy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P-3k4yN1-0

Sure is a You Tube video of the whole match B4L. Link is above. Oldest match I've ever watched - the best rule change ever was penalising out on the full, sheesh they were a blight on the game. Definitely flick passes in evidence.

For the uncommitted who haven't got 2 hours+ to blow on a 55 year old footy match, Dogs goals are at 3.50 (Quarrell), 11.00 (Quarrell), 18.20 (Whitten), 19.30 (Whitten), 52.30 (McKellar), 1.25.30 (Whitten) and 1.43.20 (Hobbs).

[Bulldog4life]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P-3k4yN1-0

Sure is a You Tube video of the whole match B4L. Link is above. Oldest match I've ever watched - the best rule change ever was penalising out on the full, sheesh they were a blight on the game. Definitely flick passes in evidence.

For the uncommitted who haven't got 2 hours+ to blow on a 55 year old footy match, Dogs goals are at 3.50 (Quarrell), 11.00 (Quarrell), 18.20 (Whitten), 19.30 (Whitten), 52.30 (McKellar), 1.25.30 (Whitten) and 1.43.20 (Hobbs).

Just read also it is the oldest Grand Final available on dvd too. Didn't say where.

[merantau]

I was at the game with my brother. I was 12 and he 18. Standing room. I stood on large (26+2/3 oz) empty VB cans. They were made of tin and were strong. Very disappointing to be over run in the second half. It was a quiet trip back to Braybrook.

[LostDoggy]

One thing I find amazing about those old grand finals are the people sitting inside the fence and players barrelling into them. Crazy dangerous, but would've been amazing to be able to sit on the ground GF day.

[Twodogs]

Yes I was lucky enough to be there that day. In those days they played the Reserves grand final and the under 19's grand final before the main match. I remember getting there early with my dad to see all 3 games. We also got there early as we were in the standing area so we wanted to get a good position.
Althopugh I was only 9 nearly 10 I still remember most of the game vividly.We were confident at half time but it wasn't to be. Hawthorn ran all over us....Kennedy Commando's they used to call them. Edwards was best on the ground for the Hawks. The difference in the two sides just about. I still remember all the players. I was lucky enough to get into the room,s in those days as a good friend was coaching The Reserves, Roy Evans, so he made sure I got in each home game. I wish I still had my autograph books:( It wasn't all doom and gloom as we followed Yarraville closely too and the next week dad and I went to the St.Kilda ground to watch Yarraville win the premiership. Teddy gave a pep talk at half time at that game too.

Yarraville partied that night. It was a big thing for the town in those days. A lot of local people followed both teams too. For those interested I believe the game....the doggies....is on Youtube and yes....you will see a flick pass.

I followed Yarraville closely back in the late 70s and early '80s. I was there at the Grand Finals and followed the club to its eventual oblivilon. I was there for the Thorpey and Pagan and Twentymen and Sharpey coaching regimes. I can remember Fotheringham kicking huge bags and Kevin Sait getting 40 kicks in a game. We had some great times and some god awful times.

[Bulldog4life]

I followed Yarraville closely back in the late 70s and early '80s. I was there at the Grand Finals and followed the club to its eventual oblivilon. I was there for the Thorpey and Pagan and Twentymen and Sharpey coaching regimes. I can remember Fotheringham kicking huge bags and Kevin Sait getting 40 kicks in a game. We had some great times and some god awful times.

I moved out of Yarraville in the early 70's. Lost a bit of interest then. Just followed the doggies from that point on.

[LostDoggy]

I followed Yarraville closely back in the late 70s and early '80s. I was there at the Grand Finals and followed the club to its eventual oblivilon. I was there for the Thorpey and Pagan and Twentymen and Sharpey coaching regimes. I can remember Fotheringham kicking huge bags and Kevin Sait getting 40 kicks in a game. We had some great times and some god awful times.

I also followed Yarraville closely from the late 70s to their demise. The game I remember most is the 1980 GF against Brunswick at Toorak Park. As the game slipped away, Sharpey (in particular), Rags Radminszki, Pagan and Thorpey kind of went insane. I was 11 and felt genuine fear.

[Twodogs]

Sharpey had a way of scaring everyone around him.

[LostDoggy]

Sharpey had a way of scaring everyone around him.

I played sub-district cricket with Sharpey as my captain/coach in the mid 80s. He was a fascinating guy. Everyone at the club loved him, but he was so intense - even on a cricket pitch, you could see he was just looking for an excuse to go the opposition.

[Twodogs]

I also followed Yarraville closely from the late 70s to their demise also. The game I remember most is the 1980 GF against Brunswick at Toorak Park. As the game slipped away, Sharpey (in particular), Rags Radminszki, Pagan and Thorpey kind of went insane. I was 11 and felt genuine fear.

Do you remember Pagan saying that the players were playing like "cowboys with pineapples on their heads"? I've been trying to work out what he meant ever since.

[Twodogs]

I played sub-district cricket with Sharpey as my captain/coach in the mid 80s. He was a fascinating guy. Everyone at the club loved him, but he was so intense - even on a cricket pitch, you could see he was just looking for an excuse to go the opposition.

theres a story about when he was coaching Doutta Stars. They hadn't lost a game for three years and Sharpey had to go OS in the middle of the season. They drew the first game he was away for and had to draw straws because no one wanted to ring and tell him.

[jeemak]

Me too, I was attending a National Sports event supporting my daughter.

Man, sometimes your concept of priorities really trouble me. :)

[jeemak]

My family was always aligned with Willy......aside from Footscray.

I remember the adulation they enjoyed when the 1990 VFA GF was won. I didn't understand what winning was like.

[jeemak]

PP - I'm sure you're just about sick of sunshine being blown up your backside over this thread but I have to say, once again, this is some of the best posting going around.

Hats off mate.

[bornadog]

Man, sometimes your concept of priorities really trouble me. :)

A pre-season cup doesn't count ;)

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #16 (CURRENTLY 6-9)

After '61, we experienced a 13 year finals drought, the worst gap since we first made finals. A wretched period for the club which you can't help feel has gone a long way towards our decades long image as battlers, strugglers, underdogs etc that we so need to ditch.

The club didn't implode after the '61 GF. In '62, we were still a good team - we spent a good portion of the year in the 4 and were unlucky to finish 5th with an 11-7 record, good enough to make the finals many years. In 63 and 64 we were a mid-table team, but 65-69 were horrid, with us winning 4 to 6 games every year, including our 2nd ever wooden spoon in 1967.

One bright aspect of the '60s for Dogs fans was the winning of 4 night premierships, in 1963, 1964, 1967 and 1970.

Although something was clearly missing and the administration was dysfunctional, we clearly still had a decent team, through the 60s we often beat reigning and eventual premiers and were usually competitive against the better teams.

In many ways, reading about EJ, he was ahead of his time as a coach, often talking about the need for hard running, free flowing game styles and introducing endurance training and weights years before most. He clearly was a divisive character though, with many seeming to struggle with the force of his personality.

Ultimately, his years as coach (57-71, barring 67 and 68 when Charlie Sutton briefly returned) saw the club go from a powerful position to a struggling one.

In 1972 the club decided, against usual practices, it was time to bring some outside influence to the club in the form of Collingwood champion Bob Rose, who had already taken the Pies to 2 grand finals - quite a coup at the time.

By the early 70s, we had returned to being a consistently competitive team, in each of 69 70 and 71 we squared the ledger at 11 wins, 11 losses (in the now 22 round seasons) to narrowly miss the finals. Although 73 was disappointing, with 7 wins and a drop to 9th.

We had also bought in a handy crop of younger players, with our R1 1974 team including a group of early-mid 20s in the 50 -100 game range (such as Gary Dempsey, Bernie Quinlan, Barry Round, Laurie Sandilands, Peter Welsh, Gordon Casey, Stephen Power and Ian Salmon) as well as youngsters Geoff Jennings and Dennis Collins. Other youngsters not far from seniors included Kelvin Templeton, Allan Stoneham, Ted Whitten Jr, Terry Wheeler, Ian Dunstan and Ray Huppatz.

That's 4 future Brownlow Medallists in the one team and numerous other high quality VFL players, although sadly most finished their careers elsewhere.

After 10 rounds of '74, the Dogs had shown they were indeed a young group going places, sitting 2nd on the table, having dropped just 2 matches. A mid-season slump saw us drop 6 games in a row however late wins saw us surge again to make the 5 (it was now a final 5) comfortably.

The best of these wins was a R22 victory over top placed (and eventual premiers) Richmond, in which our youthful promise was emphasised by 17 year old Kelvin Templeton kicking 5 goals and 19 year old Allan Stoneham having most possessions on the ground, 32.

So we finished 5th, with a 13-8 record (1 draw) and a 108.8 percentage.

We played the Elimination Final against Collingwood at VFL Park in front of 57,912.

The match was a trainwreck, with the Dogs attacking early but Collingwood repelling with ease to lead 5.6.36 to 3.1.19 at quarter time. In the 2nd, we played much the better but frittered opportunity after opportunity, kicking 1.10 for the quarter to 5.0 - 6 more scores in a quarter to fall behind a further 14 points (!!).

The half time score of 10.6.66 to 4.11.35 was not improved upon, as Collingwood continue to take it's opportunities, whilst we frittered ours. Final scores were 19-10-124 to 6-19-55.

Ray Huppatz kicked 2 goals and better performers included Gary Dempsey (18 disposals, 11 marks), Adrian Gallagher (28 disposals), Allan Stoneham (25) and Ross Abbey(22).

Our poor result was further soured by reports that most of the team had travelled to Phillip Island after the R22 win and partied wildly for 2 days in the lead up to our first final in 13 years.

[bornadog]

This was the first final I had been to, and it was so disappointing. We really should have done better.

The partying at Phillip Island is the first I ever heard of till now. No wonder they were woeful.

I remember making the trek out there from West Sunshine by public transport. It was a hell of a trip having taken the bus to Sunshine station, the train to the city. Change trains to Glenn Waverley then a bus out to the ground. I can't remember what time I got home that night,but it was a long long trip home. :(

[merantau]

I was in London for this one so distance mediated the pain - a little.

[Twodogs]

I only have basic memories of this final. I remember seeing in the local paper that the players got a trip to Singapore for winning against Carlton in the last round. There was a cartoon with Laurie Sandilands and a bulldog getting on a plane and a little arrow at the top pointing to Singapore. I think it was paid for by a car dealer.

Some articles about some key wins early on under Bob Rose:

http://australianfootball.com/articles/view/Hooroo%2Bhoodoo/1373

http://australianfootball.com/articles/view/Hooroo%2Bhoodoo%2B-%2BPart%2B2/1591

[LostDoggy]

I only have basic memories of this final. I remember seeing in the local paper that the players got a trip to Singapore for winning against Carlton in the last round. There was a cartoon with Laurie Sandilands and a bulldog getting on a plane and a little arrow at the top pointing to Singapore. I think it was paid for by a car dealer.

Some articles about some key wins early on under Bob Rose:

http://australianfootball.com/articles/view/Hooroo%2Bhoodoo/1373

http://australianfootball.com/articles/view/Hooroo%2Bhoodoo%2B-%2BPart%2B2/1591

That may have been '76 TD?

[Greystache]

Cheers BT. Sadly, it's not only our last Prelim win, it's our only win (skipped Prelims entirely in '54). By my count we are 1 from 10. An ugly aspect of our VFL/AFL history that needs to be amended - hopefully this could be the year (if not, soon)!!

It's actually much worse than that, this was the last time we beat a top 4 team in a final. 17 consecutive losses! :eek:

[Twodogs]

it's actually much worse than that, this was the last time we beat a top 4 team in a final. 17 consecutive losses! :eek:

ffs!

[Twodogs]

That may have been '76 TD?

Right you are.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #17 (CURRENTLY 6-10)

Gee the mid-70s were a wild ride for the club. We had a strong team and could've done anything, but a lot of weird stuff was also happening.

On field, we fell away only slightly in '75, being around the fringes of the final 5 all year but ultimately falling short with an 11-11 record.

Over 74 and 75 we had 2 highly promising careers tragically cut short with Robert Rose (son of Bob) killed in a car accident and boom SA recruit paralysed in a freak accident during his 2nd match. At the end of 75, Bob Rose retired and Billy Goggin became coach.

Despite having a strong team in 76, we lost a lot of close matches and struggled to string wins together, hovering around the fringes of the 5. By R21 we were 5th but precarious; Melbourne were 6th, would jump us with a win (if we lost) and playing bottom placed Collingwood. Amazingly, as has often happened we met (then top of the table) Carlton at Carlton in the last round needing a result to play finals - as always it was a belter.

We led by 5 pts at half time and 22 at 3QT, but Carlton had the wind in the last and needing a win to ensure top place. A frenetic last qtr saw Carlton pepper the goals, kicking 3 behinds in the final minutes to ultimately tie; 15-17-107 apiece. Apparently in the dying seconds a Carlton goal was sailing through but Bernie Quinlan, who ran 100 metres, threw himself over the pack and got fingertips to the ball right on the line - what a match that must have been!

A review of the stats show a terrific list, with Dempsey taking a stack of marks, leading possession getters of Stoneham, Featherby, Dunstan, Jennings and Huppatz and goals kicked by Templeton, Quinlan, Dunstan and Featherby (3 each).

We went into the Elimination Final at VFL Park against Geelong in front of 50,686.

Most pundits rated the teams evenly, many tipping a Dogs win. We were now a fairly experienced outfit (we had 1693 games experience, up on Geelongs 1403), with most in the 23-27 range and only Templeton (19) under 21.

I went to this game as a 7 year old, it is the earliest game I can ever remember watching, but can remember big chunks of it vividly.

We started nervously and were lucky not to be put away, with Geelong kicking 4.8.32 to 3.0.18 in the 1st quarter. Our 2nd quarter, however, was brilliant kicking 6 goals to 2 and leading at half time, 9.5.59 to 6.9.45.

Geelong had the scoring end in the 3rd, but we held firm, a 3 goal apiece 3rd term saw us turn into the last 13 point leaders; 12.8.80 to 9.13.67.

We had the scoring end in the last and really should've won. The last quarter was one of our true finals nightmares as we caved in. I remember momentum swinging when Geelong's Larry Donohue kicked his 100th goal of the season and a pitch invasion seemed to unsettle us.

Geelong got early goals and our cause wasn't helped by dominant Ruckman Dempsey being knocked out by teammate Ian Salmon. We pretty much choked though at the end of the day, and Geelong went on to win 14.18.102 to 14.11.95.

Multiple goalkickers were Templeton 4, Newland 3, Quinlan, Featherby and Morrison 2. Best players were listed as Featherby (25 disposals), Stoneham (26), Huppatz (25), Hampshire (14 touches, 13 hitouts, 7 marks), Jennings (24 disposals) and Templeton (11 disposals, 10 marks, 4.0).

The fallout from this match was quite brutal. With commentators, club legends like Whitten and key players like Dempsey calling into question the club's character and culture. In some ways, this result can be seen to contribute to the calamitous years that followed.

[bornadog]

I went to this final with a car load of mates. My mate wrapped his whole car with RWB crepe paper. Literally rolls of the stuff as well as streamers hanging off the car aerial. It was embarrassing driving home after the game, all the way from Waverley to Yarraville where he lived.

I don't remember anything about the game except where we sat and walking across the ground after the match. The ground was horrible to walk on as it had been raining and the grass was cut very tall. Each time you took a step, your foot seemed to disappear, so you can imagine playing football on it.

We should have won more games in the 1970's and progressed further, but we just seemed to lack that one or two match winners.

We hardly lost a home game and as PP says, we squared the ledger in most seasons with 11/11 win loss. Due to bad administration and financial issues, we lost some champion players through transfers to other clubs or walking out on us.

[LostDoggy]

I went to this final with a car load of mates. My mate wrapped his whole car with RWB crepe paper. Literally rolls of the stuff as well as streamers hanging off the car aerial. It was embarrassing driving home after the game, all the way from Waverley to Yarraville where he lived.

I don't remember anything about the game except where we sat and walking across the ground after the match. The ground was horrible to walk on as it had been raining and the grass was cut very tall. Each time you took a step, your foot seemed to disappear, so you can imagine playing football on it.

We should have won more games in the 1970's and progressed further, but we just seemed to lack that one or two match winners.

We hardly lost a home game and as PP says, we squared the ledger in most seasons with 11/11 win loss. Due to bad administration and financial issues, we lost some champion players through transfers to other clubs or walking out on us.
That win loss thing in the 70s is quite startling BAD, I never realised it until I was writing these up. Our run in the 70s was:

1970; 11-11, 1971; 11-11, 1972; 11-11, 1973; 7-14-1, 1974; 13-8-1, 1975; 11-11, 1976; 11-10-1, 1977; 10-11-1.

As you say, for that playing group, they were constantly thereabouts, but just lacked something (maybe onfield, maybe culturally). Things only went backwards from 78 to 82 as a result of a criminal player exodus and an administration that ineptly managed the club through the code's move to professionalism/commercialism.

[bornadog]

That win loss thing in the 70s is quite startling BAD, I never realised it until I was writing these up. Our run in the 70s was:

1970; 11-11, 1971; 11-11, 1972; 11-11, 1973; 7-14-1, 1974; 13-8-1, 1975; 11-11, 1976; 11-10-1, 1977; 10-11-1.

As you say, for that playing group, they were constantly thereabouts, but just lacked something (maybe onfield, maybe culturally). Things only went backwards from 78 to 82 as a result of a criminal player exodus and an administration that ineptly managed the club through the code's move to professionalism/commercialism.

Thanks for putting that up, that was an amazing run, but just that bit short.

I also went to the drawn game at Carlton in 1976 and it really was a thriller. That draw got us in the finals so it was exciting stuff.

[LostDoggy]

Thanks for putting that up, that was an amazing run, but just that bit short.

I also went to the drawn game at Carlton in 1976 and it really was a thriller. That draw got us in the finals so it was exciting stuff.
Do you remember the Quinlan touch on the siren, was it as amazing as the press report I read made it out to be?

[bornadog]

Do you remember the Quinlan touch on the siren, was it as amazing as the press report I read made it out to be?

Truthfully, no I can't - it was 40 years ago. :eek:

[LostDoggy]

Truthfully, no I can't - it was 40 years ago. :eek:

Fair enough. Sadly, in those days we had an instant to capture our memories. These days, it would be replayed a thousand times.

[Bulldog4life]

As a supporter in those days I was happy with the then coaches Bobby Rose and Bill Goggin. It really knocked the stuffing out of the Club and players with the terrible accidents to Neil and Robert. Bob Rose of course was a real mess too. If not for those two accidents maybe the end result could have been different.

[Twodogs]

As a supporter in those days I was happy with the then coaches Bobby Rose and Bill Goggin. It really knocked the stuffing out of the Club and players with the terrible accidents to Neil and Robert. Bob Rose of course was a real mess too. If not for those two accidents maybe the end result could have been different.

The barney between the social club and the football club had a lot to do with our collapse too.

It's funny in the early to mid 70s after years of failure (with periods of success) North, Hawthorn and us were each dealt decent hands. Quality players started to stream into each of them. North went out and recruited them but for the Hawks and us it was remarkably fertile recruiting grounds sprinkled with interstaters and recruits from other clubs. We got guys like Quinlan, Dempsey, Templeton, Round, Stoneham, Sandilands, Power, Low, Duns tan, Coliins, Morrison and enough quality players to have sustained success. North had a period where they made 6 GFs in a row, the Hawks parlayed it into 8 premierships in 30 years or whatever it was and we lost two elimination finals before everyone shot through.

[bornadog]

North were handed players on a platter by the then VFL. The VFL introduced the ten year rule and encouraged players to North so they can get their first premiership, whereas we were selling players to other clubs to pay off debt.

[Webby]

North were handed players on a platter by the then VFL. The VFL introduced the ten year rule and encouraged players to North so they can get their first premiership, whereas we were selling players to other clubs to pay off debt.

That's not quite how I remember it. I'll grant that Hawthorn were given the rub of the green via re-drawing of recruitment zoning maps. However to be fair to Norf, they were extremely well run by Ron Casey and Allen Aylett. They had a pretty modest recruiting zone, however they were the first club to spot the gaping loop hole that the Ten Year rule opened up.

In fact, they were the only club to vote against it. However, the night it was passed, they went out and nailed an unprecedented number of recruits. They did it like a military operation, armed with cash borrowed from SP bookies.

Norf were also the first club to wear a sponsors logo on their guernseys, play Friday night footy, develop a GF Breakfast etc etc. They also worked bloody hard to raise money to bring in interstate guns like Blight, Cable, Crosswell etc.

Meanwhile, down Dynon Road, our Social Club and Footy Club were having a war, infighting was all over the place, we had some rotten luck (two players breaking their necks) but also some pretty poor administration. All that resulted in financial difficulty, which spiralled into selling star players to survive. The 1970's were pretty ordinary for us, however Norf were brilliantly run by a vibrant, forward thinking administration. Simple as that. Credit where it's due - as much as their supporters annoy me with their ingrained persecution complex.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #18 (CURRENTLY 6-11)

So after 76, we had a 9 year gap between finals, the 2nd worst in our history. For those of us old enough to remember these were very bleak years with the club at times reduced to a laughing stock.

In 77-79 we had fallen away but were still a competitive team, winning 10 1/2, 7 and 7 games (including breaking the then all time VFL score one glorious Western Oval match against St Kilda in 1978, kicking 33.15.213, with Templeton kicking 15).

Even in these years, it was clear that things were going downhill fast, with champions leaving at a steady rate and being replaced by spuds.

In 1980, a desperate club went the messiah option, appointing Richmond's legendary Royce Hart (a massive name at the time who went on to be named CHF in the VFL/AFL Team Of The Century) Coach in 1980, to great hopes of a turnaround.

Things only got worse, with 5 wins in 1980, then the frightful years of 81 - 2 wins and our worst ever percentage; 65.8%, followed by 3 wins, a still pitiful percentage of 68%, and our 3rd ever wooden spoon.

To further humiliate us, no less than 3 ex-Bulldogs won Brownlows in 81-82; Bernie Quinlan and Barry Round became the first joint winners (other than retrospective winners) in 81, then Brian Wilson in 82.

By the end of 82, Royce Hart was gone and the decidedly lower profile bullocking Ruckman Ian 'Bluey' Hampshire took his place.

By this time, the club had given up on saviours, turning it's attention to scouring far and wide for the best young talent, building a competitive team from the ground up. Over 82 and 83, we had signed some of the hottest talent at the youth carnival, Michael MacLean from NT and the MacPhersons from Tas, whilst identifying a great crop of WA talent in Simon Beasley, Jim Sewell, Andrew Purser and Ian Williams, our traditional hunting ground of Gippsland was again kind, giving us great talent in Steven Wallis, Brian Royal and Brian Cordy, whilst we also moneyballed serviceable VFL journeymen such as Chris Smith, Mark Kellett, Bruce Duperouzel and Emmett Dunne.

This groundwork came to full fruition in 85, led by young coach Mick Malthouse (appointed in 1984). Long suffering supporters could see the worst was behind us in 83 and 84 (10 wins, then 11), but the 1985 season was something else.

We ultimately finished 2nd (equalling 54 as our best ever home and away finish, since only equalled by 92 and 98), with 16 wins and a 120.8%.

We met Hawthorn at the MCG in front of 58,367 in the Qualifying Final.

The less said about the game the better, the seasoned Hawthorn squad monstered us and we froze on the big stage.

They dominated every quarter, eventually winning 22-23-155 to 8-14-62.

Beasley and Bamblett kicked 2 each, whilst better players were Stephen Wallis (30 touches), Brian Royal (27) and Doug Hawkins (22 touches, 10 marks).

[The bulldog tragician]

On my blog I have collected a couple of memories of the 54 premiership including that of my mum who saw the premiership in only her 3rd ever game

http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-tragician-blog/it-was-truly-footscray-then-my-mum-remembers-the-54-flag

http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-tragician-blog/a-real-life-memory-of-the-54-premiership

Anyone who would like to contribute memories of this or our other finals matches or even just why we are Bulldogs is welcome to contact me as it would be good to build in a bit of an oral history archive as well.

[craigsahibee]

VFL/AFL FINAL #18 (CURRENTLY 6-11)

So after 76, we had a 9 year gap between finals, the 2nd worst in our history. For those of us old enough to remember these were very bleak years with the club at times reduced to a laughing stock.

In 77-79 we had fallen away but were still a competitive team, winning 10 1/2, 7 and 7 games (including breaking the then all time VFL score one glorious Western Oval match against St Kilda in 1978, kicking 33.15.213, with Templeton kicking 15).

Even in these years, it was clear that things were going downhill fast, with champions leaving at a steady rate and being replaced by spuds.

In 1980, a desperate club went the messiah option, appointing Richmond's legendary Royce Hart (a massive name at the time who went on to be named CHF in the VFL/AFL Team Of The Century) Coach in 1980, to great hopes of a turnaround.

Things only got worse, with 5 wins in 1980, then the frightful years of 81 - 2 wins and our worst ever percentage; 65.8%, followed by 3 wins, a still pitiful percentage of 68%, and our 3rd ever wooden spoon.

To further humiliate us, no less than 3 ex-Bulldogs won Brownlows in 81-82; Bernie Quinlan and Barry Round became the first joint winners (other than retrospective winners) in 81, then Brian Wilson in 82.

By the end of 82, Royce Hart was gone and the decidedly lower profile bullocking Ruckman Ian 'Bluey' Hampshire took his place.

By this time, the club had given up on saviours, turning it's attention to scouring far and wide for the best young talent, building a competitive team from the ground up. Over 82 and 83, we had signed some of the hottest talent at the youth carnival, Michael MacLean from NT and the MacPhersons from Tas, whilst identifying a great crop of WA talent in Simon Beasley, Jim Sewell, Andrew Purser and Ian Williams, our traditional hunting ground of Gippsland was again kind, giving us great talent in Steven Wallis, Brian Royal and Brian Cordy, whilst we also moneyballed serviceable VFL journeymen such as Chris Smith, Mark Kellett, Bruce Duperouzel and Emmett Dunne.

This groundwork came to full fruition in 85, led by young coach Mick Malthouse (appointed in 1984). Long suffering supporters could see the worst was behind us in 83 and 84 (10 wins, then 11), but the 1985 season was something else.

We ultimately finished 2nd (equalling 54 as our best ever home and away finish, since only equalled by 92 and 98), with 16 wins and a 120.8%.

We met Hawthorn at the MCG in front of 58,367 in the Qualifying Final.

The less said about the game the better, the seasoned Hawthorn squad monstered us and we froze on the big stage.

They dominated every quarter, eventually winning 22-23-155 to 8-14-62.

Beasley and Bamblett kicked 2 each, whilst better players were Stephen Wallis (30 touches), Brian Royal (27) and Doug Hawkins (22 touches, 10 marks).

Aaah 1985.

Back to the finals for the first time in 9 years. My 3rd Doggies final and 1st at the "G".

I remember being shat upon by a seagull before the game started and then being told "it was good luck"

Opening bounce, the ball is hurriedly kicked into our forward line and Jock Edmond pulls in a speckie. How good is this? Jock then kicks into the man on the mark, the Hawks stream out of defence and kick the first goal of the game. Game over.

Shattered.

[bornadog]

Aaah 1985.

Back to the finals for the first time in 9 years. My 3rd Doggies final and 1st at the "G".

I remember being shat upon by a seagull before the game started and then being told "it was good luck"

Opening bounce, the ball is hurriedly kicked into our forward line and Jock Edmond pulls in a speckie. How good is this? Jock then kicks into the man on the mark, the Hawks stream out of defence and kick the first goal of the game. Game over.

Shattered.

Ha ha, the seagulls shat on me after the game as the siren blew. One of my worst days at the footy, after being so excited to being in the finals, and having beaten the Hawks a few weeks earlier.

[Twodogs]

I remember the excitement and the anticipation for the whole week leading up to the game. Our first final at the MCG since the 1961 GF. We lined up for tickets at 4am outside the Whitten Oval. The line wasn't exactly sure where to start because nobody could remember where you bought finals tickets at the ground so we just sort of formed a line and waited for someone who seemed to know what they were doing turned up.

The game itself was awful. Everything leading up to it was perfect but then that changed the moment the Jim Edmond kicked into the man on the market.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #19 (CURRENTLY 6-12)

Having failed miserably against Hawthorn and thus gone 0-4 in finals since the '61 GF, we next met North Melbourne in the Second (Elimination) Final at the MCG in front of 56,112.

This was a massive day for the club, with back to back losses being unthinkable after our great home and away season.

The match started evenly, but North's forward line was the more productive and they took a quarter time lead; 4-3-27 to 3-1-19.

Our midfield got on top in the 2nd, although chances were wasted (a familiar story). We took in a narrow half time lead; 9-8-62 to 9-5-59. Although the margin was tight, I remember feeling very confident at half time that we had them covered.

In the third, our midfield dominance was converted and we got right on top to lead 14-16-100 to 11-9-75.

The last quarter was comfortable, although North did battle away - final scores Footscray 19-23-137 to North 16-11-107.

A glorious day - for many of us our first ever Dogs finals win, topped off by Beasley becoming our 2nd ever player to kick 100 goals in a season and Les Bamblett also getting his 50th. My memory is that both these goals were scored in quick succession early in the 3rd quarter (may be wrong though).

The other highlight was Hawkins supreme performance. For many of us there that day, his game will rank amongst the very best ever seen by a Bulldog. All final series he was excellent, but this day was his peak. As a wingman, his stats read 38 possessions, 11 marks and 1 goal, but the bulk of these were contested, often beating 2 men, and the disposals were crisp and creative every time.

Multiple goalkickers were Beasley 7, Royal 5, Edmond and Daniels 2.

Best players were Hawkins, Royal (21 touches, 5 goals), Wallis (32 touches, 10 marks), Beasley, Maylin (28 touches) and Daniels (21 touches, 2 goals - I remember a number of driving runs from Shorty, 1 of 7 WA players playing for us that day).

Victory meant a chance at redemption against Hawthorn in the '85 Preliminary Final.

[LostDoggy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4yWKXzKkvQ

You Tube didn't offer a whole lot on this match, but did manage to find a few brief highlights that bring back a few memories as above, including a dodgy goal to a future AFL supremo that definitely looked touched (thankfully ultimately inconsequential).

[bornadog]

If the previous day was the worst day at the footy, then this final was one of the best. What a day for doggies fans, and the Hawk supreme. Beaza caped off a great year kicking his hundred and his mate his 50th. If Beasley didn't mark the ball, Lally was there to pick up the crumbs. Great memories.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #20 (CURRENTLY 7-12)

After our awful effort against Hawthorn in week 1 of the finals, our chance for redemption came just 2 weeks later in the form of a Preliminary Final, played at VFL Park on a warm day in front of 55,246.

A review of the respective teams makes for interesting reading. Our team was quite aged and experienced, at an average of 25.4 years and 1537 games experience. We had a compact group age wise, no-one over 29 but only 3 under 22 (all 20; McLean, MacPherson and Wallis). We only had Hawkins, N.Cordy and Edmond over the 120 game mark, with most in the 24-26 and 50-100 game range.

Hawthorns list was amazing at 25.8 years and 2351 games, with aged champions (Matthews, Tuck, Knights, Eade, Wallace, all 150 games plus) built around a phenomenal young spine of Langford, 22, Mew, 24, Brereton, 21 and Dunstall, 21 - no wonder a golden era was awaiting them.

From the outset, it was clear that the real Footscray had turned up on Prelim Day and we held our own in the fierce early exchanges. We were kicking with the wind, so our lead of 4.4.28 to 3.2.20 felt like we were about even.

Hawthorn attacked heavily in the 2nd quarter, but we defended stoutly to be right in it at half time, trailling by 4 points 7.4.46 to 6.6.42.

A fiercely even contest continued in the third, with Hawthorn leading by 1 at the final change; 10.8.68 to 10.7.67.

The early stages of the last remained very even, with the Dogs briefly leading 10 minutes in, however 2 quick goals to an otherwise well held Leigh Matthews tipped the balance and a committed Dogs ultimately fell 10 points short; 16.13.109 to 15.9.99.

It was a strange mixture of frustration and pride post game. So close yet so far. Although the loss stung, at least we had shown that the first final was an aberration and we really were very competitive against the best on the big stage.

Multiple goalkickers were Beasley 3, Edmond, McLean and Sewell 2.

Best players were Hawkins (28 touches, 9 marks, 1 goal), Hardie (24 touches and many clearing runs), Royal (21 touches), Sewell (14 touches, 7 marks, 2.3) and Purser who again gained a decisive advantage in the hitouts.

[bornadog]

I went to this game and really thought Matthews was the difference in the end. We stopped him all day, and he burst on in the last and destroyed our hopes. The GF would have been a beauty with Essendon the minor premiers waiting. We had their measure that year and in my mind this was the year we should have won the premiership. :(

One of my mates had a large chicken and champagne waiting on ice in the car, but we were so dejected we just went home.

[Twodogs]

We really let this one slip. Did we try and be too fancy rather than trying to defend our lead? I think we were out by ten points or so halfway through the last quarter.

[Twodogs]

I reckon Plough would dispute that he was ageing anything in 1985 BTW.

Who would have thunk on that day he would go on to be a Footscray/Western Bulldogs dual B&F, senior coach ect.

[LostDoggy]

I reckon Plough would dispute that he was ageing anything in 1985 BTW.

Who would have thunk on that day he would go on to be a Footscray/Western Bulldogs dual B&F, senior coach ect.

Probably harsh terminology for Plough, he was the youngest of that group I listed, but was 26 (nearly 27) and with 152 games experience so the point was still valid I reckon.:)

His playing efforts at the Doggies are often overlooked, 4 outstanding years as a 29-32 year old.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #21 - CURRENTLY 7-13

After narrowly missing the '85 GF with a team full of players in the prime of their careers, the late '80s should've been a strong era for the Dogs, but it turned out to be a slowly deteriorating era of mediocrity.

It's hard to know why. We steadily lost good players too young after our 1985 success. Including:

- Captain Jim Edmond (26) to Sydney, Ian Williams (27) heading back to WA the end of '85;
- Brad Hardie (24) falling out with Malthouse and leaving for the Brisbane Bears, Neil Cordy (27) and Mark Kellett (26) to Sydney, Shorty Daniels (27)and Jim Sewell (30) returning to WA at the end of '86;
- Andrew Purser (28) returning to WA and Murray Rance (25) joining WCE, Mick Egan (29) retired at the end of '87
- Brian Cordy (27) in 1988
- Michael McLean (24) to the Bears in 1989.

Les Bamblett also kicked 51 goals as a 21 year old in 1985, but struggled for motivation and fitness and never played more than 3 games in any other season thereafter.

A few of the above had early finishes to their Dogs days bought on by injuries, but plenty of others were disgruntled. The '85 group had a great bond, but the bond didn't hold. Maybe Malthouse's intense, stern coaching style was a factor in the group fraying way too early, whilst a poor administration and near misses in 86, 87 and 88 would've also added to frustrations.

Our record through the 80s (from '83 onwards) was similar to the '70s with most years seeing us midtable, winning as many as losing but just off finals standard. Consider:

83: 10-12,
84: 11-11,
85: 16-6,
86: 11-11,
87: 11-10-1,
88: 11-11

To add to the frustration, we entered the final round of 86, 87 and 88 a chance of making the 5, but blew each of them. Most memorably, the '87 R22 Western Oval loss to Melbourne after letting a 3QT lead slip (Melbourne snuck in ahead of us and made it to the Prelim, only missing a GF after Gary Buckenara goaled after the siren).

By 1989, Malthouse's 1985 attacking team had turned into ugly toilers and the club was at a low ebb. An okay start to the season fell away badly, with heavy losses coming late in the season.

Malthouse took a big offer to go to the Eagles at the end of the year and a sense of doom pervaded, with a parlous financial state and increasing speculation that an expansionary VFL was keen to reduce Melbourne clubs and add interstate clubs to the competition.

In late 1989, our club briefly ceased to exist, with the VFL revoking our licence on financial grounds.

We won a stay of execution through the courts and a wonderful community drive saw us raise sufficient funds to survive and field a team in our own right in 1990.

This turned out to be a time of great rejuvenation for the club, with a renewed sense of identity.

We found the perfect coach for the times in former great player and passionate local Terry Wheeler, who had achieved great results as Captain/Coach at Williamstown subsequent to finishing at the Dogs (I went to most Willy matches in the late 80s and listened to a lot of Terry's qtr and 3qtr time speeches - he was a great motivator).

The 1990 season was joyful for Doggies supporters, with exciting youngsters and a renewed spirit seeing us claim some big scalps (including eventual premiers Collingwood late in the season in front of a big crowd at the MCG). However, we again fell short despite a 12-10 record.

After a flat 1991 (9-12-1), the promise of 1990 really started to bear fruit in 1992.

We finished the season in 2nd, with a 16-6 record and a 129.85% (our best ever outside of the 1953-55 glory years). Statistically, the best home and away season in our history.

In our Qualifying Semi Final, we came up against Geelong, who finished top of the table, at the MCG in front of 68,753.

The game promised to be a riot of attacking football, with Footscray building it's game around free flowing attack and Geelong also playing an all out attacking game (their home and away average score was a staggering 139 points).

The game did not disappoint on this front, looking back it was an insane game.

Both teams attacked daringly in the first, with Footscray being the more efficient, taking a handy early lead 7.2.44 to 5.4.34.

The 2nd quarter played out similarly, with the Dogs again scoring 7.2 for the quarter to post an imposing half time score of 14.4.88, to Geelong's 11.6.72.

We had managed to keep Geelong's dominant midfield (Couch, Hocking, Scott, Bews, Riccardi) in check, largely through the hard tackling of (particularly) Liberatore and Atkins, whilst our forwardline efficiency was outstanding, with Del Re kicking 6 to half time and Grant's strong marking a feature.

After half time, Geelong's midfielders broke free and we were powerless to stop a rampant Brownless (9 goals) and Ablett (5).

A 7 goal to 1 3rd quarter saw Geelong lead at 3 quarter time, 18.9.117 to 15.7.97.

By the last, things blew out, with final scores 26.16.172 to 17.9.111.

A 15 goal to 3 last half really underlined Geelong's superior depth and dazzling firepower. Our lack of counter measures when overpowered was exposed.

For us, Danny Del Re was spectacularly efficient on the big stage, kicking 8 goals from 9 touches, whilst Hawkins and Royal kicked 2 each.

Best players were Del Re, Tony Liberatore (magnificent in a losing cause, with 27 touches and 11 tackles in a game where we totalled 39 tackles and Geelong 22), Darren Baxter (gave good drive off half back with 25 touches), Simon Atkins (23 touches, 5 tackles and 1 goal) and Doug Hawkins (19 touches, 7 marks, 2 goals).

[bornadog]

I was an expat in Taiwan and Singapore during the 90's and only saw a hand full of games for the 7 years I was away. I listened to games on my short wave radio and got to see some live games through Australia TV.
One game I did see was the clash v Hawks at WO when Peter Foster was kicked by Paul Dear and broke his leg. Peter was the player we needed to stop (and he would have), Brownless. Also with Scotty Wynd out of the finals, we never had our best team on the park

[always right]

I went to this game and really thought Matthews was the difference in the end. We stopped him all day, and he burst on in the last and destroyed our hopes. The GF would have been a beauty with Essendon the minor premiers waiting. We had their measure that year and in my mind this was the year we should have won the premiership. :(

One of my mates had a large chicken and champagne waiting on ice in the car, but we were so dejected we just went home.

History will say Matthews was the difference after being torched by Brad Hardie for most of the game. When I watched this game back it was notable for the silly free kicks we gave away and in my view this was the real difference. Rick Kennedy in particular gave away two undisciplined frees to Dunstall including a 50m penalty. I loved him as a player but he carries a significant part of the blame for this loss.

[bornadog]

History will say Matthews was the difference after being torched by Brad Hardie for most of the game. When I watched this game back it was notable for the silly free kicks we gave away and in my view this was the real difference. Rick Kennedy in particular gave away two undisciplined frees to Dunstall including a 50m penalty. I loved him as a player but he carries a significant part of the blame for this loss.

Rick should probably not have played as he was returning from a broken leg and was out of touch. The frees were probably born out of frustration, but agree were silly and undisciplined.

[always right]

VFL/AFL FINAL #21 - CURRENTLY 7-13

After half time, Geelong's midfielders broke free and we were powerless to stop a rampant Brownless (9 goals) and Ablett (5).

A 7 goal to 1 3rd quarter saw Geelong lead at 3 quarter time, 18.9.117 to 15.7.97.

By the last, things blew out, with final scores 26.16.172 to 17.9.111.

A 15 goal to 3 last half really underlined Geelong's superior depth and dazzling firepower. Our lack of counter measures when overpowered was exposed.

For us, Danny Del Re was spectacularly efficient on the big stage, kicking 8 goals from 9 touches, whilst Hawkins and Royal kicked 2 each.

Best players were Del Re, Tony Liberatore (magnificent in a losing cause, with 27 touches and 11 tackles in a game where we totalled 39 tackles and Geelong 22), Darren Baxter (gave good drive off half back with 25 touches), Simon Atkins (23 touches, 5 tackles and 1 goal) and Doug Hawkins (19 touches, 7 marks, 2 goals).

An amazing match and a great performance by Del Re in particular. My firm memory of this game was Stoneham being thrown into the ruck in the second half. I have no idea what the centre clearance stats were but I lost count of the number of times they waltzed out of the middle through Stoneham's dominance. Another depressing day in the finals.

[LostDoggy]

I was an expat in Taiwan and Singapore during the 90's and only saw a hand full of games for the 7 years I was away. I listened to games on my short wave radio and got to see some live games through Australia TV.
One game I did see was the clash v Hawks at WO when Peter Foster was kicked by Paul Dear and broke his leg. Peter was the player we needed to stop (and he would have), Brownless. Also with Scotty Wynd out of the finals, we never had our best team on the park
Good points BAD. We were relying on Tony Campbell, Barry Standfield and Keenan Reynolds as key backs and they were just that bit small and inexperienced. Scotty Wynd did return next game, but was sorely missed this match - although 21 year old Justin Charles did try his heart out as first ruck, he was overwhelmed as the match progressed.

[Greystache]

The 92 final was the first I was old enough to go to. That second half was embarrassing. It was a taste of what was to come in the future, but it was shattering at the time.

[Twodogs]

The 92 final was the first I was old enough to go to. That second half was embarrassing. It was a taste of what was to come in the future, but it was shattering at the time.


Sure was frustrating sitting there watching us piss the game up against the wall. I don't know whats worse, getting completely pantsed that way only we seem to manage in the first week of the finals or being in it until the opposition CHF who was getting his arse handed to him gets moved to replace their injured ruckman (who was getting his arse handed to him as well) and ends up winning the game for them.

Both is the answer I suspect.

[LostDoggy]

I had just turned six in 1992, so obviously it was the first final I went to. The only memory I have of the Geelong game is collecting the footy after it was kicked through for a behind and attempting to kick it over the fence to a Bulldogs player who was patiently waiting for me to kick him the ball so he could kick the ball back into play from full back. My kicked barely went above waiste height and failed to go over the fence. I don't think the Bulldogs player was too happy.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #22 (7-14)

After being overwhelmed by Geelong, we went into an Elimination Final against StKilda, who were given a big chance after defeating a hot Collingwood team. The game was played at VFL Park in front of 59,512.

I remember the first half of this match as being as fierce a Footscray team as I can remember. We hit every contest hard, and quickly built a big lead. The quarter time score was 5.3.33 to 1.0.6. At half time it was 9.3.57 to 3.2.20.

The game was basically over at half time, and another dominant quarter saw a 3QT score of 15.5.95 to 6.4.40. We put the cue in the rack in the last and StKilda gained some respectability, with a final score of 19.5.119 to 14.6.90.

The score of 19.5 reflects how 'on' we were this day. Another telling stat is the tackle count of 60 to 32, with Bernard Toohey (11) and (of course) Tony Liberatore (10) leading the way - huge numbers for the early '90s.

Multiple goalkickers were Chris Grant, 5, Danny DelRe and Doug Hawkins, 3, and Simon Atkins, 2.

Grant was a clear best on ground, with 25 touches, 11 marks and 5.1 in a dominant CHF performance, other strong performers were Atkins, 29 touches, 5 tackles, 2 goals, Liberatore, 22 touches, 10 tackles, 1 goal and Hawkins, 23 touches, 5 marks, 3.2.

[Twodogs]

Just about the best game I saw Chris Grant play in the colours. He was everywhere. Grant was at every contested ball situation Grant was at every marking contest Grant was in every pack that formed he was on the end of most handballs he was on the beginning of most handballs, a couple of times he handballed to himself. He was awesome that day.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #22 (7-14)

After being overwhelmed by Geelong, we went into an Elimination Final against StKilda, who were given a big chance after defeating a hot Collingwood team. The game was played at VFL Park in front of 59,512.

I remember the first half of this match as being as fierce a Footscray team as I can remember. We hit every contest hard, and quickly built a big lead. The quarter time score was 5.3.33 to 1.0.6. At half time it was 9.3.57 to 3.2.20.

The game was basically over at half time, and another dominant quarter saw a 3QT score of 15.5.95 to 6.4.40. We put the cue in the rack in the last and StKilda gained some respectability, with a final score of 19.5.119 to 14.6.90.

The score of 19.5 reflects how 'on' we were this day. Another telling stat is the tackle count of 60 to 32, with Bernard Toohey (11) and (of course) Tony Liberatore (10) leading the way - huge numbers for the early '90s.

Multiple goalkickers were Chris Grant, 5, Danny DelRe and Doug Hawkins, 3, and Simon Atkins, 2.

Grant was a clear best on ground, with 25 touches, 11 marks and 5.1 in a dominant CHF performance, other strong performers were Atkins, 29 touches, 5 tackles, 2 goals, Liberatore, 22 touches, 10 tackles, 1 goal and Hawkins, 23 touches, 5 marks, 3.2.

A great day to be a Doggies fan that day.
Remember it being cold and a swirly breeze ala Western Ovasl conditions.
As you said TD,Turtle was Huge that day and probably one of if not THE best game I saw him play.

[LostDoggy]

My memory of the '92 SF is being at the footy all day. As a six-year-old, I was constantly asking my parents if we could go home. It seemed like I was there for ages, so I am going to assume there was a reserves game featuring the Bulldogs because I can't imagine either of my parents getting to a match before 10AM to watch opposition teams play in a curtain raiser. Can someone shed some light as to whether I am imagining things, or did our reserves play in a curtain raiser to the main game?

And if there was, would there also have been a curtain raiser to the reserves game, or am I imagining that too?

Honestly, we may have only been at the footy for four hours, but that can seem like an eternity for someone in grade prep.

[LostDoggy]

My memory of the '92 SF is being at the footy all day. As a six-year-old, I was constantly asking my parents if we could go home. It seemed like I was there for ages, so I am going to assume there was a reserves game featuring the Bulldogs because I can't imagine either of my parents getting to a match before 10AM to watch opposition teams play in a curtain raiser. Can someone shed some light as to whether I am imagining things, or did our reserves play in a curtain raiser to the main game?

And if there was, would there also have been a curtain raiser to the reserves game, or am I imagining that too?

Honestly, we may have only been at the footy for four hours, but that can seem like an eternity for someone in grade prep.

Can't recall us playing reserves that day CBM, but there would've been a 2nds game on so could've been. VFL Park took a lot longer to get to than other grounds (unless you lived in the outer eastern suburbs) and I recall it being a fairly cold, miserable day which wouldn't have helped a 6 year old.

Impressive memory by the way. I can remember footy matches back to 7-8 years old, but not 6.

[Twodogs]

I have 13 yo who is constantly asking to go home and doesn't remember what happened yesterday.

[Bulldog4life]

VFL/AFL FINAL #22 (7-14)

After being overwhelmed by Geelong, we went into an Elimination Final against StKilda, who were given a big chance after defeating a hot Collingwood team. The game was played at VFL Park in front of 59,512.

I remember the first half of this match as being as fierce a Footscray team as I can remember. We hit every contest hard, and quickly built a big lead. The quarter time score was 5.3.33 to 1.0.6. At half time it was 9.3.57 to 3.2.20.

The game was basically over at half time, and another dominant quarter saw a 3QT score of 15.5.95 to 6.4.40. We put the cue in the rack in the last and StKilda gained some respectability, with a final score of 19.5.119 to 14.6.90.

The score of 19.5 reflects how 'on' we were this day. Another telling stat is the tackle count of 60 to 32, with Bernard Toohey (11) and (of course) Tony Liberatore (10) leading the way - huge numbers for the early '90s.

Multiple goalkickers were Chris Grant, 5, Danny DelRe and Doug Hawkins, 3, and Simon Atkins, 2.

Grant was a clear best on ground, with 25 touches, 11 marks and 5.1 in a dominant CHF performance, other strong performers were Atkins, 29 touches, 5 tackles, 2 goals, Liberatore, 22 touches, 10 tackles, 1 goal and Hawkins, 23 touches, 5 marks, 3.2.

Yes it was a great game from Chris. I also was impressed that day from the game of Keenan Reynolds who played on Stewie Lowe. He ended up leaving for North Melbourne eventually I think.

[Axe Man]

My memory of the '92 SF is being at the footy all day. As a six-year-old, I was constantly asking my parents if we could go home. It seemed like I was there for ages, so I am going to assume there was a reserves game featuring the Bulldogs because I can't imagine either of my parents getting to a match before 10AM to watch opposition teams play in a curtain raiser. Can someone shed some light as to whether I am imagining things, or did our reserves play in a curtain raiser to the main game?

And if there was, would there also have been a curtain raiser to the reserves game, or am I imagining that too?

Honestly, we may have only been at the footy for four hours, but that can seem like an eternity for someone in grade prep.

I used to keep all the footy records when I was younger, I should have this one, I'll check to see who played in the reserves game if I remember.


Can't recall us playing reserves that day CBM, but there would've been a 2nds game on so could've been. VFL Park took a lot longer to get to than other grounds (unless you lived in the outer eastern suburbs) and I recall it being a fairly cold, miserable day which wouldn't have helped a 6 year old.

Impressive memory by the way. I can remember footy matches back to 7-8 years old, but not 6.

I remember it being a sunny day and I found some footage on youtube which confirmed this. I'm sure it was still cold though, it always was at Arctic Park.

[LostDoggy]

I actually have the game on DVD.

I have the '85 SF on DVD too. The Hawk was phenomenal in that game.

[LostDoggy]

That stab pass to Jock Edmond in the 2nd Qtr I think it was is as close to pure football perfection as I've ever seen.

[LostDoggy]

Now if I could just find my VHS copy of "The Hawk" and get the player working for the fist time in about 10 years :(

[bornadog]

That stab pass to Jock Edmond in the 2nd Qtr I think it was is as close to pure football perfection as I've ever seen.
The Grass Cutter

[Sedat]

I also followed Yarraville closely from the late 70s to their demise. The game I remember most is the 1980 GF against Brunswick at Toorak Park. As the game slipped away, Sharpey (in particular), Rags Radminszki, Pagan and Thorpey kind of went insane. I was 11 and felt genuine fear.
I was at that game as well, but as a Brunny supporter - my uncle played 150 games for them in the back pocket including this GF.

[Twodogs]

That stab pass to Jock Edmond in the 2nd Qtr I think it was is as close to pure football perfection as I've ever seen.

How good was it? I well up just thinking about it.

[Sedat]

Thanks for putting that up, that was an amazing run, but just that bit short.

I also went to the drawn game at Carlton in 1976 and it really was a thriller. That draw got us in the finals so it was exciting stuff.
Apparently the week before we won with a goal after the siren from Allan Stoneham at a soggy VFL Park against Fitzroy - talk about making the finals the hard way.

I read somewhere that Sam Newman destroyed us out of the middle in the last qtr of the 76 EF. Easy to forget that he was a very good footballer before be morphed into the f-wit he is today.

[Bulldog4life]

Apparently the week before we won with a goal after the siren from Allan Stoneham at a soggy VFL Park against Fitzroy - talk about making the finals the hard way.

I read somewhere that Sam Newman destroyed us out of the middle in the last qtr of the 76 EF. Easy to forget that he was a very good footballer before be morphed into the f-wit he is today.

That match against Carlton I was there too. I remember right at the end it looked like Carlton were going to kick a certain goal to put them 5 points in front when Bernie Quinlan got a fingernail to it which resulted in a behind and a draw.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #23 (8-14)

So we're back up against Geelong in the '92 Prelim, at the MCG in front of 71,841.

This is one match I remember attending with trepidation, such was the authority of Geelong's Qualifying Final victory.

I remember us throwing everything at Geelong early, hitting contests ferociously and creating opportunities, however a quarter time lead of 2.6.18 to 2.3.15 was not the return our efforts deserved.

The game remained even until midway through the 2nd, but 2 quick goals seemed to sap our resolve and Geelong went to half time leading 8.9.57 to 5.9.39.

We had no answers once that Geelong team got a roll on. By 3QT it was 14.15.99 to 8.9.57 and ultimately 22.17.149 to 12.13.85.

The stats clearly reveal our defeat, with possessions at 314-252 and marks at 87-41, a smashing.

Multiple goalkickers were Hawkins 3, and Grant, DelRe and Baxter, 2.

Best players were Liberatore (23 touches, 4 tackles), Atkins (22 touches, 4 tackles), whilst undersupplied forwards Grant (17 touches, 5 marks, 2 goals) and Hawkins (3.3) made the most of limited opportunities.

So that was '92. The club had plenty to look forward to, with only Hawkins (32) and recruits Coleman (31) and Toohey (29) the Preliminary Final players close to retirement, although it was generally a fairly seasoned team with Grant the only PF player under 21, himself already a 59 game, 119 goal player though only 19.

[LostDoggy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk8XHDRHTZs

As a postscript to the 1992 finals series, this little gem is a bit of Footscray folk lore for those old enough to remember.

[bornadog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk8XHDRHTZs

As a postscript to the 1992 finals series, this little gem is a bit of Footscray folk lore for those old enough to remember.

Thanks for that, I have never seen this report. I missed the finals in 1992 but listened on my short wave.

How many times have we played Geelong in finals and lost.

[Mofra]

How many times have we played Geelong in finals and lost.
All of them sadly - isn't it one of those quirky stats that we've never beaten them in a final?

[Twodogs]

Eleven times is it? That we have lost to Geelong in finals.

[LostDoggy]

We have beaten them once, to make it into the 1954 GF (final #9, page 6). :)

[Axe Man]

We have beaten them once, to make it into the 1954 GF (final #9, page 6). :)

Twice actually - we beat them again in 1956 (also on page 6). We are 2 from 10 against Geelong in finals.

[Twodogs]

That's a whole lot better than I thought!

[bornadog]

Twice actually - we beat them again in 1956 (also on page 6). We are 2 from 10 against Geelong in finals.

We must have played Geelong in finals more than any other team

[LostDoggy]

We must have played Geelong in finals more than any other team
Pretty sure that's right. Amazingly often given we have never played Richmond or Carlton in a final.

[craigsahibee]

Pretty sure that's right. Amazingly often given we have never played Richmond or Carlton in a final.

Don't like our chances of playing Carlton in a final in the near future. Maybe Richmond in week 1 and that's it.

[Axe Man]

I'm sure I have posted our finals record in another thread but I can't find it. So here it is again in all it's glory:

http://s18.postimg.org/h6u21hpyx/Bulldogs_Finals_Record.png (http://postimage.org/)

[LostDoggy]

I'm sure I have posted our finals record in another thread but I can't find it. So here it is again in all it's glory:

http://s18.postimg.org/h6u21hpyx/Bulldogs_Finals_Record.png (http://postimage.org/)

I unsuccessfully went looking for that other thread also. This table is even better. Sheesh, that Hawthorn record is disgraceful - a 0-4 record and 59 percentage over 4 games. Really look forward to improving a few of these ledgers in coming years.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #24 (8-15)

After the great rebound from our brief non-existence in 1989 to our Prelim year in 1992, we went through a decidedly odd period in the mid-90s.

As often seemed to happen, we followed up a strong year with a near miss.

I'd completely forgotten this, but the AFL experimented with a 20 match season in 1993. We were mid-table all year but ultimately fell short of the finals, despite an 11-9 record.

We started 1994 with a win, but were smashed by 88 points against Geelong in Round 2.

After this loss Terry Wheeler was sacked. At the time this felt incredibly harsh and still does (I'm biased though, I love the guy). He took over at a massive low ebb and reconnected us to our identity in a way few have. His winning percentage for Coaches of 3 or more full seasons is the best in our history (55.5%).

He clearly had a sour relationship with some in administration and there was a highly credentialed replacement in Allan Joyce, who had Coached Premierships at Hawthorn and had a family connection to the Dogs.

Joyce did a terrific job in 1994. We were 1-3 and looking very shaky after 4 rounds, but he rallied the troops to get us to 13-8 3rd coming into the last round and very much in contention. Our final round, a Perth trip to meet top placed WCE was a cruel break, and a 71 point loss saw us drop back to 5th.

Despite a late Sunday Perth match, we were done no favours by the AFL, given a Saturday final, despite 2 Sunday finals being played. We were also distracted by a marathon tribunal hearing and much media attention after a wild half time brawl at Subiaco, the headline being Danny Southern nearly choking Peter Sumich to death, according to the more hysterical press.

We came up against our old nemesis Geelong in a Qualifying Final at the MCG in front of 61,182.

No-one who went to this match will ever forget it. It was a spectacular match that had everything.

Geelong were our bogey team. They hit the ground running and we looked awful early. By quarter time it was 8.3.51 to 3.3.21 with Ablett kicking 5 1st quarter goals in a rare display of football genius. Geelong dominated the early part of the 2nd and got to 38 points ahead.

It looked to be a long night ahead, but our centres (particularly Atkins, Liberatore and Cameron) found a level of intensity and we clawed back goals, to go in at half time only 13 points down; 10.6.66 to 8.5.53.

I remember the Fooscray fans buzzing at half time. After the nightmare Perth trip and Geelong rag dolling us early, it felt like we had nothing left, but the resolve we showed was inspiring.

It was clear after half time that we were on a mission, Geelong lifted in response and the crowd was roaring at every contest. Every ball was fierce and by 3QT we got to within 2 points; 12.9.81 to 12.7.89.

We scored the first goal of the last through Keenan Reynolds to hit the lead for the first time. Geelong edged ahead again, but we dominated the closing stages, butchering chances until Richard Osborne dribbled through a goal to give us a 1 point lead with 26 seconds remaining.

Those seconds were joyous, but Geelong swept the clearance and a quiet Brownless marked 30 metres out, he goaled after the siren to hand us one of our harshest ever finals defeats; 15.16.106 to 15.11.101.

Multiple goalkickers were Keenan Reynolds 3, Chris Grant, Richard Osborne and Leon Cameron, 2.

Best for us were a heroic Barry Standfield who was thrown into the Ruck in the absence of Wynd and Grgic, who gathered 19 possessions, 10 hitouts, 1 goal and 3 tackles, Simon Atkins who gathered 26 touches and many key clearances - his vision in tight was outstanding, Stephen Wallis (21 possessions and 7 marks and many key turnovers patrolling half back), Leon Cameron (20 possessions, 2 goals, and great drive from the wing) and Keenan Reynolds (14 possessions, 7 marks, 3 goals, providing a strong though undersized target up forward).

[Bulldog4life]

VFL/AFL FINAL #24 (8-15)

After the great rebound from our brief non-existence in 1989 to our Prelim year in 1992, we went through a decidedly odd period in the mid-90s.

As often seemed to happen, we followed up a strong year with a near miss.

I'd completely forgotten this, but the AFL experimented with a 20 match season in 1993. We were mid-table all year but ultimately fell short of the finals, despite an 11-9 record.

We started 1994 with a win, but were smashed by 88 points against Geelong in Round 2.

After this loss Terry Wheeler was sacked. At the time this felt incredibly harsh and still does (I'm biased though, I love the guy). He took over at a massive low ebb and reconnected us to our identity in a way few have. His winning percentage for Coaches of 3 or more full seasons is the best in our history (55.5%).

He clearly had a sour relationship with some in administration and there was a highly credentialed replacement in Allan Joyce, who had Coached Premierships at Hawthorn and had a family connection to the Dogs.

Joyce did a terrific job in 1994. We were 1-3 and looking very shaky after 4 rounds, but he rallied the troops to get us to 13-8 3rd coming into the last round and very much in contention. Our final round, a Perth trip to meet top placed WCE was a cruel break, and a 71 point loss saw us drop back to 5th.

Despite a late Sunday Perth match, we were done no favours by the AFL, given a Saturday final, despite 2 Sunday finals being played. We were also distracted by a marathon tribunal hearing and much media attention after a wild half time brawl at Subiaco, the headline being Danny Southern nearly choking Peter Sumich to death, according to the more hysterical press.

We came up against our old nemesis Geelong in a Qualifying Final at the MCG in front of 61,182.

No-one who went to this match will ever forget it. It was a spectacular match that had everything.

Geelong were our bogey team. They hit the ground running and we looked awful early. By quarter time it was 8.3.51 to 3.3.21 with Ablett kicking 5 1st quarter goals in a rare display of football genius. Geelong dominated the early part of the 2nd and got to 38 points ahead.

It looked to be a long night ahead, but our centres (particularly Atkins, Liberatore and Cameron) found a level of intensity and we clawed back goals, to go in at half time only 13 points down; 10.6.66 to 8.5.53.

I remember the Fooscray fans buzzing at half time. After the nightmare Perth trip and Geelong rag dolling us early, it felt like we had nothing left, but the resolve we showed was inspiring.

It was clear after half time that we were on a mission, Geelong lifted in response and the crowd was roaring at every contest. Every ball was fierce and by 3QT we got to within 2 points; 12.9.81 to 12.7.89.

We scored the first goal of the last through Keenan Reynolds to hit the lead for the first time. Geelong edged ahead again, but we dominated the closing stages, butchering chances until Richard Osborne dribbled through a goal to give us a 1 point lead with 26 seconds remaining.

Those seconds were joyous, but Geelong swept the clearance and a quiet Brownless marked 30 metres out, he goaled after the siren to hand us one of our harshest ever finals defeats; 15.16.106 to 15.11.101.

Multiple goalkickers were Keenan Reynolds 3, Chris Grant, Richard Osborne and Leon Cameron, 2.

Best for us were a heroic Barry Standfield who was thrown into the Ruck in the absence of Wynd and Grgic, who gathered 19 possessions, 10 hitouts, 1 goal and 3 tackles, Simon Atkins who gathered 26 touches and many key clearances - his vision in tight was outstanding, Stephen Wallis (21 possessions and 7 marks and many key turnovers patrolling half back), Leon Cameron (20 possessions, 2 goals, and great drive from the wing) and Keenan Reynolds (14 possessions, 7 marks, 3 goals, providing a strong though undersized target up forward).

I felt so deflated after this game. I can remember it so well. Bloody Brownless.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

I felt like I'd been shot

[merantau]

I was absolutely gutted. I remember being parked in Victoria Pde. When I got back to the car some clown in a 4WD had really wedged me in. I seriously contemplated smashing his windscreen. I was incandescent with rage after that game. Years of therapy are finally helping me emerge from the broom closet under the stairs.
a

[LostDoggy]

By 1994, I was eight and I can remember each and every game. My favourite game of that year was in about round eight when we took on Melbourne at the MCG (they were a good team that season, particularly early on in the season). The Dees may have even been on top heading into the game. We hit the front in the third quarter and the Bulldogs crowd went wild. We ended up winning the match by three points.

I clearly remember having back-to-back victories against Sydney and Fitzroy to the tune of 72 and 104 points respectively. In the Fitzroy game, one of our players kicked the longest behind I have ever seen. Was it Richard Osborne? Whoever it was, the ball was kicked beyond the centre square and ended up bouncing through for a behind.

My memories of the Geelong final are negative. I recall being super excited during the week that I would be going to the final, but during the week I did something my mum wasn't proud of and she punished me by not allowing me to come along to the footy. Instead, I went to some party with my Aunty and Uncle. I managed to find someone at the party listening to the footy, so I was constantly approaching him for updates. During the last quarter, every time I asked him for a score update, we were either less than a goal up, or less than a goal down. The last score update he gave me was when we were less than a goal down.

I was literally walking over to him for another score update when I saw him throw his earplugs on the table in disgust, and groaned, "he's bloody kicked it". It was in reference to Brownless kicking the winning goal.

[LostDoggy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVLLkUHGuBI

Somebody posted the entire last quarter on Yoube, cutting out the final 26 seconds. I like.

[Axe Man]

Despite a late Sunday Perth match, we were done no favours by the AFL, given a Saturday final, despite 2 Sunday finals being played. We were also distracted by a marathon tribunal hearing and much media attention after a wild half time brawl at Subiaco, the headline being Danny Southern nearly choking Peter Sumich to death, according to the more hysterical press.

I remember people collecting money outside the MCG to pay Southern's fine. It must have been the following week against Melbourne because I didn't make it to the Geelong game due to my junior footy presentation night. We got home in time to see the last quarter or so and I clearly recall punching a wall as Billy's goal sailed through.

[LostDoggy]

We got home in time to see the last quarter or so and I clearly recall punching a wall as Billy's goal sailed through.
Perhaps Croft could have used some of your punching skills with ten seconds to go.

[craigsahibee]

I'm loving these accounts of our Finals matches Peanuts², but can I make 1 request of you?

Please move on to #26 and forget #25 altogether. It was just one hell of a miserable day at the footy. Severely undermanned through injuries. Best to leave this one out I reckon.

[Mantis]

Perhaps Croft could have used some of your punching skills with ten seconds to go.

Who was Croft on? Mensch? Seem to recall Southern doing a great job on Billy bar the game deciding play.

I always felt that the time taken for the ball to get back to the middle after Ozzie's goal was less than the norm and we were still setting up when the ball was back in play.. From pure elation to pure disappointment in 15secs.. The joy of being a Dogs supporter.

[Twodogs]

VFL/AFL FINAL #24 (8-15)

After the great rebound from our brief non-existence in 1989 to our Prelim year in 1992, we went through a decidedly odd period in the mid-90s.

As often seemed to happen, we followed up a strong year with a near miss.

I'd completely forgotten this, but the AFL experimented with a 20 match season in 1993. We were mid-table all year but ultimately fell short of the finals, despite an 11-9 record.

We started 1994 with a win, but were smashed by 88 points against Geelong in Round 2.

After this loss Terry Wheeler was sacked. At the time this felt incredibly harsh and still does (I'm biased though, I love the guy). He took over at a massive low ebb and reconnected us to our identity in a way few have. His winning percentage for Coaches of 3 or more full seasons is the best in our history (55.5%).

He clearly had a sour relationship with some in administration and there was a highly credentialed replacement in Allan Joyce, who had Coached Premierships at Hawthorn and had a family connection to the Dogs.

Joyce did a terrific job in 1994. We were 1-3 and looking very shaky after 4 rounds, but he rallied the troops to get us to 13-8 3rd coming into the last round and very much in contention. Our final round, a Perth trip to meet top placed WCE was a cruel break, and a 71 point loss saw us drop back to 5th.

Despite a late Sunday Perth match, we were done no favours by the AFL, given a Saturday final, despite 2 Sunday finals being played. We were also distracted by a marathon tribunal hearing and much media attention after a wild half time brawl at Subiaco, the headline being Danny Southern nearly choking Peter Sumich to death, according to the more hysterical press.

We came up against our old nemesis Geelong in a Qualifying Final at the MCG in front of 61,182.

No-one who went to this match will ever forget it. It was a spectacular match that had everything.

Geelong were our bogey team. They hit the ground running and we looked awful early. By quarter time it was 8.3.51 to 3.3.21 with Ablett kicking 5 1st quarter goals in a rare display of football genius. Geelong dominated the early part of the 2nd and got to 38 points ahead.

It looked to be a long night ahead, but our centres (particularly Atkins, Liberatore and Cameron) found a level of intensity and we clawed back goals, to go in at half time only 13 points down; 10.6.66 to 8.5.53.

I remember the Fooscray fans buzzing at half time. After the nightmare Perth trip and Geelong rag dolling us early, it felt like we had nothing left, but the resolve we showed was inspiring.

It was clear after half time that we were on a mission, Geelong lifted in response and the crowd was roaring at every contest. Every ball was fierce and by 3QT we got to within 2 points; 12.9.81 to 12.7.89.

We scored the first goal of the last through Keenan Reynolds to hit the lead for the first time. Geelong edged ahead again, but we dominated the closing stages, butchering chances until Richard Osborne dribbled through a goal to give us a 1 point lead with 26 seconds remaining.

Those seconds were joyous, but Geelong swept the clearance and a quiet Brownless marked 30 metres out, he goaled after the siren to hand us one of our harshest ever finals defeats; 15.16.106 to 15.11.101.

Multiple goalkickers were Keenan Reynolds 3, Chris Grant, Richard Osborne and Leon Cameron, 2.

Best for us were a heroic Barry Standfield who was thrown into the Ruck in the absence of Wynd and Grgic, who gathered 19 possessions, 10 hitouts, 1 goal and 3 tackles, Simon Atkins who gathered 26 touches and many key clearances - his vision in tight was outstanding, Stephen Wallis (21 possessions and 7 marks and many key turnovers patrolling half back), Leon Cameron (20 possessions, 2 goals, and great drive from the wing) and Keenan Reynolds (14 possessions, 7 marks, 3 goals, providing a strong though undersized target up forward).


Steve Kretiuk once told me that Ablett hit him in the eye so hard at the first contest that his eye was lodged up underneath the eyesocket and he couldn't see a thing until quarter time when they had the chance to whack it back into place.

These guys are seriously insane...

[LostDoggy]

Who was Croft on? Mensch? Seem to recall Southern doing a great job on Billy bar the game deciding play.

I always felt that the time taken for the ball to get back to the middle after Ozzie's goal was less than the norm and we were still setting up when the ball was back in play.. From pure elation to pure disappointment in 15secs.. The joy of being a Dogs supporter.
Yeah, you're 100% right on both accounts. Southern was on Brownless. I reckon Croft was indeed on Mensch.

I don't think there is any coverage available of the last centre bounce. I'm not sure many people apart from the players involved would be able to tell you who was in the centre square immediately after Ozzie's goal, simply because the broadcast didn't show it. It was definitely less time than usual for play to resume, and it's something that wouldn't happen in this day and age with the billion dollar TV rights deal. Imagine the outrage of a network didn't show a crucial centre bounce.

[Twodogs]

Yeah, you're 100% right on both accounts. Southern was on Brownless. I reckon Croft was indeed on Mensch.

I don't think there is any coverage available of the last centre bounce. I'm not sure many people apart from the players involved would be able to tell you who was in the centre square immediately after Ozzie's goal, simply because the broadcast didn't show it. It was definitely less time than usual for play to resume, and it's something that wouldn't happen in this day and age with the billion dollar TV rights deal. Imagine the outrage of a network didn't show a crucial centre bounce.

Did they really miss the last centre bounce? I didn't know because i was at the game and haven't had reason to watch it again but that's outrageous.

[Twodogs]

I was absolutely gutted. I remember being parked in Victoria Pde. When I got back to the car some clown in a 4WD had really wedged me in. I seriously contemplated smashing his windscreen. I was incandescent with rage after that game. Years of therapy are finally helping me emerge from the broom closet under the stairs.
a


I was trying to pull the chair I had been sitting in out of its housing so I could whack the nearest Geelong supporter with it. I was so angry that I could see the red flashes at the corner of my eyes. After a bit I could feel somebody poking me on the shoulder and looked up. A girl wearing a Geelong jumper was smiling at me and said "You have to admit that's one of the best games you will ever see" I had to agree with her.

[LostDoggy]

I'm loving these accounts of our Finals matches Peanuts², but can I make 1 request of you?

Please move on to #26 and forget #25 altogether. It was just one hell of a miserable day at the footy. Severely undermanned through injuries. Best to leave this one out I reckon.

Fully get the request craigsahibee. For the sake of completeness, I feel compelled to cover the match, but it will be brief and quickly moved on from :)

[jeemak]

My father took us to Buller for a day trip and we arrived to Melbourne just in time to see the game, but after a massive day he couldn't take us.

I listened to us come back on the radio, delayed telecast in the background. I was so upset when Brownless did us over. It was the first time I genuinely asked "Why can't it be us?".

It hurt.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #25 (8-16)

After the heartbreak of the Geelong loss we had to back up against the lowest ranked winner (the 90s version of the top 8 finals was horribly convoluted), which was Melbourne in an Elimination Final in front of 65,577 at the MCG.

We were really in no shape to play a match. Our 2 proper rucks, Wynd and Grgic, were out, several others were proppy and we were completely flat after the trials and tribulations of the WCE match and it's aftermath and then throwing everything we had at our bogey side Geelong, to be denied after the siren.

After the match Joyce was asked by a clueless journo why they went in so small, replying "because small was all we had."

This was a nightmare of a match. Of our finals from 85 on, it's the only one I don't really remember with any great detail and had to read up on a fair bit for this.

To be fair, our performance in the first half was more competitive than I remember.

Melbourne were more efficient than us in the first, but we created chances and trailled 5.4.34 to 1.5.11. We were terrific in the 2nd to scratch our way back to a position of competitiveness; trailling 9.7.61 to 6.7.43.

After half time, though, our resistance crashed and Melbourne ran riot in the 3rd, kicking 10 goals (3QT: 19-11-125 to 8-9-57). The last was a non-event, final scores: 21.18.144 to 9.11.65.

We had stretched our reserves to the limit, throwing key defender Standfield into the ruck and playing undersized Reynolds and Southern in key roles (Croft played but was injured and ineffective). As a result Melbourne's Key Forwards were dominant (Schwartz 26 touches, 12 marks, Lyon 10 goals, 11 marks).

Multiple goalkickers were Chris Grant 2 and Brad Johnson 2.

Best for us again was Barry Standfield, who really had a superb finals series against all odds. Despite being undersized and going up against a great mobile ruckman in Jim Stynes, he won 16 hitouts, 20 touches, 5 marks and 4 tackles. The only other bright note in a sour match was the performance of 2 teenagers with bright futures; Scott West (19) gathered 23 possessions and laid 4 tackles, while Brad Johnson (18) also showed plenty in his 9th career game, gathering 13 touches, 4 marks and 2 goals 3 on a tough day for lightly framed forward flankers.

[bornadog]

I went to this game as I was back in Australia on holiday. All I remember was Chris Grant bending over to pick up the ball and some dirty Melbourne player shirt fronted him and knocked him out. Can't remember who the player was , but I think it happened in the first quarter and that was it for us.

[Remi Moses]

Scotty Wynd's injuries hurt massively in the early to mid 90's.
Craft slipped just before Brownless marked for that dreaded goal.
Mates and I were 26 seconds from all nighter, but alas the sad tale of dog fan ensured we all went home heartbroken

[Remi Moses]

I went to this game as I was back in Australia on holiday. All I remember was Chris Grant bending over to pick up the ball and some dirty Melbourne player shirt fronted him and knocked him out. Can't remember who the player was , but I think it happened in the first quarter and that was it for us.

We were massacred by injuries in that final, both during and pre-game

[LostDoggy]

Lyon kicked his tenth and final goal half way through the third quarter. I'm not sure why he stopped there. The way the second half played out, he should have ended with 16.

At least better news was to follow, with our reserves team defeating Fitzroy 33.12.210 to 13.9.87 in the Preliminary Final, before defeating North Melbourne in the Grand Final 16.16.112 to 13.14.92.

[aker39]

At least better news was to follow, with our reserves team defeating Fitzroy 33.12.210 to 13.9.87 in the Preliminary Final, before defeating North Melbourne in the Grand Final 16.16.112 to 13.14.92.

I umpired that grand final. Some future stars played in it and Terry Wallace was the coach.

[LostDoggy]

I umpired that grand final. Some future stars played in it and Terry Wallace was the coach.

That's awesome. Just to be on the G grand final day must've been a great experience. I remember guys like Simon Atkins and Steve Macpherson being part of that Reserves GF win and being so excited by it. Great day.

[Twodogs]

That's awesome. Just to be on the G grand final day must've been a great experience. I remember guys like Simon Atkins and Steve Macpherson being part of that Reserves GF win and being so excited by it. Great day.

I saw a photo of that team the other day. I will try and cut and paste it to here.

[Twodogs]

Lyon kicked his tenth and final goal half way through the third quarter. I'm not sure why he stopped there. The way the second half played out, he should have ended with 16.

At least better news was to follow, with our reserves team defeating Fitzroy 33.12.210 to 13.9.87 in the Preliminary Final, before defeating North Melbourne in the Grand Final 16.16.112 to 13.14.92.


From memory David Schwartz took 28 marks at centre half forward too.

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #26 (8-17)

After Allan Joyce did a great job getting us to the finals in 1994, he completely restructured our coaching staff and conditioning programmes over the 1995 preseason. Given exciting youngsters, a Reserves Premiership and Joyce's excellent record at Hawthorn, I remember 1995 as being a year of great expectations.

The season started well enough, with 4 wins in the first 5 games, however a horrible run saw us wait until Round 13 for our next win. It was a strange season, where our best was very competitive against the best teams, but the team wasn't gelling and on bad days we were belted.

The last 2 rounds really summed the season up. In R21 we defeated 2nd placed Geelong at Kardinia Park 125-110 in a sparkling display to sew up a finals berth. In the final round, we played at home to 14th placed StKilda and lost by 54 points, after conceding 12 goals to 1 in the first half.

We ended the season in 7th, with an 11-10-1 record and a poor percentage of 91.5 reflecting our tendency to fall away badly on 'off' days.

This meant we again came up against Geelong with defeat meaning certain elimination. The match was played at the MCG in front of 59,889.

It was a nightmare.

It was clear from the early moments that the bad Dogs had turned up and 30 humiliating minutes later the match was effectively over, with a quarter time scoreboard of 10-2-62 to 1-4-10. Things never improved and the final score read a disgraceful Geelong 24-11-155 to Footscray 10-13-73.

We won a total of 254 possessions for the game, 92 less than our opposition, but the really damning stat was our pathetic tackle count of 16 - even in other bad finals losses when we have been mentally not right, we had a go. This team showed an unacceptable lack of fight.

Multiple goalkickers were Richard Osborne and Ilija Grgic, 3 each, while better players included Scott West (26 touches) and Tony Liberators (23).

The performance was so miserable and reflected so poorly on the team's character that Allan Joyce tendered his resignation post-match, but was talked into staying on. We did have good players missing (Wallis, Croft, Kretiuk, Southern), however so did Geelong (including Ablett, who was suspended after cleaning up Rohan Smith in Round 21).

Looking at the make up of our team that night, we still had grounds for optimism; only 4 of the team were older than 25 (Liberatore, Osborne, Quill and Hunter), with a strong crop of players with their best years head of them, including Wynd and Standfield, 25, Watts, 24, Cameron and Grgic, 23, Grant, Koster, Ellen and Smith, 22, West, 20, and Johnson, 19.

Add to this the injured or unselected players who played senior games that year including Southern, 20, Kretiuk, 23, Darcy, 19, Croft, 22, Kolyniuk, 24, Hargraves,19, Romero, 23, Dimattina, 20, Beveridge, 24, Lane, 18, Ellis, 19, Cox, 18, and Sir, 20.

[craigsahibee]

I went to this game as I was back in Australia on holiday. All I remember was Chris Grant bending over to pick up the ball and some dirty Melbourne player shirt fronted him and knocked him out. Can't remember who the player was , but I think it happened in the first quarter and that was it for us.

I reckon it might have been a cheekbone injury, but you're right it was game over. Happened on the forward flank, city end, great southern stand side of the ground.

[Twodogs]

VFL/AFL FINAL #26 (8-17)

After Allan Joyce did a great job getting us to the finals in 1994, he completely restructured our coaching staff and conditioning programmes over the 1995 preseason. Given exciting youngsters, a Reserves Premiership and Joyce's excellent record at Hawthorn, I remember 1995 as being a year of great expectations.

The season started well enough, with 4 wins in the first 5 games, however a horrible run saw us wait until Round 13 for our next win. It was a strange season, where our best was very competitive against the best teams, but the team wasn't gelling and on bad days we were belted.

The last 2 rounds really summed the season up. In R21 we defeated 2nd placed Geelong at Kardinia Park 125-110 in a sparkling display to sew up a finals berth. In the final round, we played at home to 14th placed StKilda and lost by 54 points, after conceding 12 goals to 1 in the first half.

We ended the season in 7th, with an 11-10-1 record and a poor percentage of 91.5 reflecting our tendency to fall away badly on 'off' days.

This meant we again came up against Geelong with defeat meaning certain elimination. The match was played at the MCG in front of 59,889.

It was a nightmare.

It was clear from the early moments that the bad Dogs had turned up and 30 humiliating minutes later the match was effectively over, with a quarter time scoreboard of 10-2-62 to 1-4-10. Things never improved and the final score read a disgraceful Geelong 24-11-155 to Footscray 10-13-73.

We won a total of 254 possessions for the game, 92 less than our opposition, but the really damning stat was our pathetic tackle count of 16 - even in other bad finals losses when we have been mentally not right, we had a go. This team showed an unacceptable lack of fight.

Multiple goalkickers were Richard Osborne and Ilija Grgic, 3 each, while better players included Scott West (26 touches) and Tony Liberators (23).

The performance was so miserable and reflected so poorly on the team's character that Allan Joyce tendered his resignation post-match, but was talked into staying on. We did have good players missing (Wallis, Croft, Kretiuk, Southern), however so did Geelong (including Ablett, who was suspended after cleaning up Rohan Smith in Round 21).

Looking at the make up of our team that night, we still had grounds for optimism; only 4 of the team were older than 25 (Liberatore, Osborne, Quill and Hunter), with a strong crop of players with their best years head of them, including Wynd and Standfield, 25, Watts, 24, Cameron and Grgic, 23, Grant, Koster, Ellen and Smith, 22, West, 20, and Johnson, 19.

Add to this the injured or unselected players who played senior games that year including Southern, 20, Kretiuk, 23, Darcy, 19, Croft, 22, Kolyniuk, 24, Hargraves,19, Romero, 23, Dimattina, 20, Beveridge, 24, Lane, 18, Ellis, 19, Cox, 18, and Sir, 20.

I was a very lucky kid. I grew up around the corner from the street that Ijlia Grigic and Rohan Smith grew up in. I can remember,ber both of them as kids and Bubba's mum was my kindergarten teacher. Anyway the afternoon of that final my mum threw me out of the house because I was bouncing off the walls, she told me to "take the *!*!*!*!ing dog for a walk and expend some energy". So I put the leash on the dog, walked out the front door and the first person I met walking the other way (with his dog) was big Ijlia. His mum had thrown him out of the house too for bouncing off the walls.;) first thing he said was "I hate waiting for night games"

[LostDoggy]

I was a very lucky kid. I grew up around the corner from the street that Ijlia Grigic and Rohan Smith grew up in. I can remember,ber both of them as kids and Bubba's mum was my kindergarten teacher. Anyway the afternoon of that final my mum threw me out of the house because I was bouncing off the walls, she told me to "take the *!*!*!*!ing dog for a walk and expend some energy". So I put the leash on the dog, walked out the front door and the first person I met walking the other way (with his dog) was big Ijlia. His mum had thrown him out of the house too for bouncing off the walls.;) first thing he said was "I hate waiting for night games"

Great memory TD. Grgic should've done that more often - 3 goals was a good effort given limited opportunity.

Grgic looked the goods at that point in his career, 23 years old, 200 cm+, 100 kg+, 39 goals for the year and valuable contributions as a 2nd ruckman. Shame he never quite went on with it, would've been the ideal bridge between Wynd and Darcy - from memory he was a very smart guy also with postgraduate qualifications in the sciences?

[Greystache]

That 95 final was up there with the two 92 finals, the 98 final, and the 2008 final for some of the worst examples of Bulldogs finals efforts. It was shitful being there.

[Twodogs]

Great memory TD. Grgic should've done that more often - 3 goals was a good effort given limited opportunity.

Grgic looked the goods at that point in his career, 23 years old, 200 cm+, 100 kg+, 39 goals for the year and valuable contributions as a 2nd ruckman. Shame he never quite went on with it, would've been the ideal bridge between Wynd and Darcy - from memory he was a very smart guy also with postgraduate qualifications in the sciences?

He was a very clever clogs. Went to Melbourne High (or Uni high-whichever gives out scholarships) on a scholarship and then on to Melbourne Uni.

Literally walked in off the street according to legend. The story goes that Ijlia couldn't find footy boots to fit him anywhere so he went to the footy club to ask where they got their football boots. The receptionist looked up at him and said "you play football?" and asked him to wait where he was while she went and found someone from the footy department!

[LostDoggy]

VFL/AFL FINAL #27 (8-18)

The worst fears of our poor 1995 finish were confirmed in 1996, when a disjointed and underconfident team grossly underperformed.

On paper we were still a decent team, mid-table at worst, however confidence in Joyce had evaporated (clearly outlined in the Year Of The Dogs documentary of the 1996 year), who again tendered his resignation after a mauling from North in Round 2 and a third time midseason (this time accepted).

We finished the year a miserable 15th, winning just 5 games.

Our attitude and performance did show some improvement under Terry Wallace, however we still only won 3 of 10 games under him in 1996 and he had been involved with the coaching group for a few years, so it was difficult to enter 1997 with great confidence of rapid change (even though we'd played finals 3 of the previous 5 years).

1997 started with what looked like one of our few strong winning chances, lowly Freo at 'home' (now Princes Park). We squandered a 17 point 3QT lead to be beaten 80-76 in an ugly spectacle in front of 8,000 of the hardcore faithful. I remember walking out of that match feeling very glum about the season ahead and the club's prospects more broadly.

The next few weeks were incredible, as we found ways to win week after week. Never by much, but we won 8 of 10 to find ourselves at the midpoint of the year sitting atop the ladder (despite a modest percentage of 106).

1997 was a strange year, with no teams really stamping themselves on the competition. By round 14, we were still on top, with a 10-4 record and 108%. We then dropped 4 games in a row to find ourselves 9th after 18 rounds (10-8, 96%) and in danger of a major collapse, however the roller coaster righted itself and we won our final 4 matches to finish 3rd, with a 14-8 record and a percentage of 101.8.

To indicate what a strange season it was, StKilda finished top with a modest 15-7 (119.6) record - usually enough for 3rd or 4th.

This led to electrifying expectation leading into the 1997 finals. None of the top 4 had won a flag in over 30 years (us, StKilda, Geelong, Adelaide [never won]) and this felt the year we all had a real shot.

Our first test came against reigning grand finalist Sydney in front of 62,432 at the MCG.

I remember a beautiful sunny day and almost unbearable anticipation. All anxiety quickly dissipated as we smashed into the early contests and quickly overwhelmed Sydney with our intensity and hard run.

The first quarter was a glorious display of hard at the contest, free flowing football. By quarter time we had the game won, leading 9.2.56 to 0.5.5. After a tight opening (one goal after 11 minutes), we cracked Sydney right open and scored a glut of goals in rapid succession late in the quarter in as enjoyable a display as I have seen from a Bulldogs team.

I can remember my heart beating out of my chest at quarter time, such was the pride in our performance, from where we had been in the recent past, it felt such a great purging.

After that, the game was more or less on cruise control, Sydney stuck at it (they narrowly won each of the last 3 quarters) but never got within 5 goals and we eventually won 18-11-119 to 12-12-84.

In a very even performance, multiple goalkickers were James Cook 4, Chris Grant and Paul Hudson, 3, Brett Montgomery and Rohan Smith, 2.

We really won the game as a superior surging team, so it almost seems wrong to talk about individuals. Of special note though were Grant's imperious 20 possession, 9 mark, 3 goal effort from CHF, Scott West (27 touches) domination in tight, and the hard running drive from Leon Cameron (28), Matthew Dent (26), Brad Johnson (20) and Rohan Smith (19).

We were the first match up that year. Under the then final 8 system, our fate was unknown until the other matches were played. If the top 2 teams both won, we'd be backing up next week, if one lost we'd get a path straight through to a Prelim.

Our dream weekend was complete on Sunday when 7th placed North upset 2nd placed Geelong by 18 points, sending us straight through to meet the winner of the Adelaide - Geelong Semi Final.

[LostDoggy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Oq5tVhCbJ8

The first 6-7 minutes of this are edited highlights of the first quarter. Pure joy.

[Twodogs]

VFL/AFL FINAL #27 (8-18)

The worst fears of our poor 1995 finish were confirmed in 1996, when a disjointed and underconfident team grossly underperformed.

On paper we were still a decent team, mid-table at worst, however confidence in Joyce had evaporated (clearly outlined in the Year Of The Dogs documentary of the 1996 year), who again tendered his resignation after a mauling from North in Round 2 and a third time midseason (this time accepted).

We finished the year a miserable 15th, winning just 5 games.

Our attitude and performance did show some improvement under Terry Wallace, however we still only won 3 of 10 games under him in 1996 and he had been involved with the coaching group for a few years, so it was difficult to enter 1997 with great confidence of rapid change (even though we'd played finals 3 of the previous 5 years).

1997 started with what looked like one of our few strong winning chances, lowly Freo at 'home' (now Princes Park). We squandered a 17 point 3QT lead to be beaten 80-76 in an ugly spectacle in front of 8,000 of the hardcore faithful. I remember walking out of that match feeling very glum about the season ahead and the club's prospects more broadly.

The next few weeks were incredible, as we found ways to win week after week. Never by much, but we won 8 of 10 to find ourselves at the midpoint of the year sitting atop the ladder (despite a modest percentage of 106).

1997 was a strange year, with no teams really stamping themselves on the competition. By round 14, we were still on top, with a 10-4 record and 108%. We then dropped 4 games in a row to find ourselves 9th after 18 rounds (10-8, 96%) and in danger of a major collapse, however the roller coaster righted itself and we won our final 4 matches to finish 3rd, with a 14-8 record and a percentage of 101.8.

To indicate what a strange season it was, StKilda finished top with a modest 15-7 (119.6) record - usually enough for 3rd or 4th.

This led to electrifying expectation leading into the 1997 finals. None of the top 4 had won a flag in over 30 years (us, StKilda, Geelong, Adelaide [never won]) and this felt the year we all had a real shot.

Our first test came against reigning grand finalist Sydney in front of 62,432 at the MCG.

I remember a beautiful sunny day and almost unbearable anticipation. All anxiety quickly dissipated as we smashed into the early contests and quickly overwhelmed Sydney with our intensity and hard run.

The first quarter was a glorious display of hard at the contest, free flowing football. By quarter time we had the game won, leading 9.2.56 to 0.5.5. After a tight opening (one goal after 11 minutes), we cracked Sydney right open and scored a glut of goals in rapid succession late in the quarter in as enjoyable a display as I have seen from a Bulldogs team.

I can remember my heart beating out of my chest at quarter time, such was the pride in our performance, from where we had been in the recent past, it felt such a great purging.

After that, the game was more or less on cruise control, Sydney stuck at it (they narrowly won each of the last 3 quarters) but never got within 5 goals and we eventually won 18-11-119 to 12-12-84.

In a very even performance, multiple goalkickers were James Cook 4, Chris Grant and Paul Hudson, 3, Brett Montgomery and Rohan Smith, 2.

We really won the game as a superior surging team, so it almost seems wrong to talk about individuals. Of special note though were Grant's imperious 20 possession, 9 mark, 3 goal effort from CHF, Scott West (27 touches) domination in tight, and the hard running drive from Leon Cameron (28), Matthew Dent (26), Brad Johnson (20) and Rohan Smith (19).

We were the first match up that year. Under the then final 8 system, our fate was unknown until the other matches were played. If the top 2 teams both won, we'd be backing up next week, if one lost we'd get a path straight through to a Prelim.

Our dream weekend was complete on Sunday when 7th placed North upset 2nd placed Geelong by 18 points, sending us straight through to meet the winner of the Adelaide - Geelong Semi Final.


I remember that Freo game. It's difficult remembering a more downbeat day at the footy,money more Whitten oval, tiny crowd, lose to Freo after Winston Abraham took a hanger and kicked the winner. I was really annoyed.With everything. Feeling quite emotional when some dickhead sticks his head out of one of the corporate boxs, looks at me and says "go Freo!" The first thing I found in my pocket as a 50 cent coin. So I pinged it at him. He ducked and it hit the ceiling of the box pretty hard.

[Twodogs]

VFL/AFL FINAL #27 (8-18)

The worst fears of our poor 1995 finish were confirmed in 1996, when a disjointed and underconfident team grossly underperformed.

On paper we were still a decent team, mid-table at worst, however confidence in Joyce had evaporated (clearly outlined in the Year Of The Dogs documentary of the 1996 year), who again tendered his resignation after a mauling from North in Round 2 and a third time midseason (this time accepted).

We finished the year a miserable 15th, winning just 5 games.

Our attitude and performance did show some improvement under Terry Wallace, however we still only won 3 of 10 games under him in 1996 and he had been involved with the coaching group for a few years, so it was difficult to enter 1997 with great confidence of rapid change (even though we'd played finals 3 of the previous 5 years).

1997 started with what looked like one of our few strong winning chances, lowly Freo at 'home' (now Princes Park). We squandered a 17 point 3QT lead to be beaten 80-76 in an ugly spectacle in front of 8,000 of the hardcore faithful. I remember walking out of that match feeling very glum about the season ahead and the club's prospects more broadly.

The next few weeks were incredible, as we found ways to win week after week. Never by much, but we won 8 of 10 to find ourselves at the midpoint of the year sitting atop the ladder (despite a modest percentage of 106).

1997 was a strange year, with no teams really stamping themselves on the competition. By round 14, we were still on top, with a 10-4 record and 108%. We then dropped 4 games in a row to find ourselves 9th after 18 rounds (10-8, 96%) and in danger of a major collapse, however the roller coaster righted itself and we won our final 4 matches to finish 3rd, with a 14-8 record and a percentage of 101.8.

To indicate what a strange season it was, StKilda finished top with a modest 15-7 (119.6) record - usually enough for 3rd or 4th.

This led to electrifying expectation leading into the 1997 finals. None of the top 4 had won a flag in over 30 years (us, StKilda, Geelong, Adelaide [never won]) and this felt the year we all had a real shot.

Our first test came against reigning grand finalist Sydney in front of 62,432 at the MCG.

I remember a beautiful sunny day and almost unbearable anticipation. All anxiety quickly dissipated as we smashed into the early contests and quickly overwhelmed Sydney with our intensity and hard run.

The first quarter was a glorious display of hard at the contest, free flowing football. By quarter time we had the game won, leading 9.2.56 to 0.5.5. After a tight opening (one goal after 11 minutes), we cracked Sydney right open and scored a glut of goals in rapid succession late in the quarter in as enjoyable a display as I have seen from a Bulldogs team.

I can remember my heart beating out of my chest at quarter time, such was the pride in our performance, from where we had been in the recent past, it felt such a great purging.

After that, the game was more or less on cruise control, Sydney stuck at it (they narrowly won each of the last 3 quarters) but never got within 5 goals and we eventually won 18-11-119 to 12-12-84.

In a very even performance, multiple goalkickers were James Cook 4, Chris Grant and Paul Hudson, 3, Brett Montgomery and Rohan Smith, 2.

We really won the game as a superior surging team, so it almost seems wrong to talk about individuals. Of special note though were Grant's imperious 20 possession, 9 mark, 3 goal effort from CHF, Scott West (27 touches) domination in tight, and the hard running drive from Leon Cameron (28), Matthew Dent (26), Brad Johnson (20) and Rohan Smith (19).

We were the first match up that year. Under the then final 8 system, our fate was unknown until the other matches were played. If the top 2 teams both won, we'd be backing up next week, if one lost we'd get a path straight through to a Prelim.

Our dream weekend was complete on Sunday when 7th placed North upset 2nd placed Geelong by 18 points, sending us straight through to meet the winner of the Adelaide - Geelong Semi Final.


I remember that Freo game. It's difficult remembering a more downbeat day at the footy, no more Whitten oval, tiny crowd, lose to Freo after Winston Abraham took a hanger and kicked the winner. I was really annoyed.With everything. Feeling quite emotional when some dickhead sticks his head out of one of the corporate boxs, looks at me and says "go Freo!" The first thing I found in my pocket as a 50 cent coin. So I pinged it at him. He ducked and it hit the ceiling of the box pretty hard.

[bornadog]

I remember that Freo game. It's difficult remembering a more downbeat day at the footy,money more Whitten oval, tiny crowd, lose to Freo after Winston Abraham took a hanger and kicked the winner. I was really annoyed.With everything. Feeling quite emotional when some dickhead sticks his head out of one of the corporate boxs, looks at me and says "go Freo!" The first thing I found in my pocket as a 50 cent coin. So I pinged it at him. He ducked and it hit the ceiling of the box pretty hard.

By this time I had moved to Singapore (from Taiwan) and I happened to be in Melbourne and went to the Freo game. What a disappointing game. I didn't see another game that year, although airline tickets were booked Prelim week. :mad:

The opening quarter against the Swans must be the best quarter we have played in a final.

[Twodogs]

By this time I had moved to Singapore (from Taiwan) and I happened to be in Melbourne and went to the Freo game. What a disappointing game. I didn't see another game that year, although airline tickets were booked Prelim week. :mad:

The opening quarter against the Swans must be the best quarter we have played in a final.

I can remember getting out my brand new mobile phone at quarter time and ringing a friend of mine and saying "mate, when we die and go to heaven this is what it will feel like"

[Sedat]

VFL/AFL FINAL #24 (8-15)

After the great rebound from our brief non-existence in 1989 to our Prelim year in 1992, we went through a decidedly odd period in the mid-90s.

As often seemed to happen, we followed up a strong year with a near miss.

I'd completely forgotten this, but the AFL experimented with a 20 match season in 1993. We were mid-table all year but ultimately fell short of the finals, despite an 11-9 record.

We started 1994 with a win, but were smashed by 88 points against Geelong in Round 2.....
I was absolutely gutted after this loss, especially considering I spent the best part of 2 hours bagging Billy Brainless who did stuff-all until that goal after the siren. I turned around to my mate and said that after enduring that sort of heartbreak, we can endure anything....we hadn't even scratched the surface yet when it comes to September heartache :(