Bulldogs By the Numbers

[merantau]

From '75 to '79 Lee Perussich played 45 games. He wore #23 for 4 seasons and kicked 12 goals.

[merantau]

From '84 to '91 Simon Atkins had a solid career in the #23 playing 127 games and booting 76 goals out of the centre.

He was a real "in and under" centreman with great handball skills and formed part of an elite group of on-ballers when teamed with Scott Wynd and Tony Liberatore. He was twice runner-up in our B&F.

Went to Fitzroy for his last two years and kicked the last goal ever by Fitzroy player.

[Grantysghost]

From '84 to '91 Simon Atkins had a solid career in the #23 playing 127 games and booting 76 goals out of the centre.

He was a real "in and under" centreman with great handball skills and formed part of an elite group of on-ballers when teamed with Scott Wynd and Tony Liberatore. He was twice runner-up in our B&F.

Went to Fitzroy for his last two years and kicked the last goal ever by Fitzroy player.

Loved Axe. He was a very good player.

I have a good Simon Atkins tale.

He was my mum's favourite player. One night me and the lads were out on the town and end up at an inner city bar somewhere, low and behold there's Axe having a beer with a mate. I thought right, this is a good way to get some brownie points with my lovely mother so I had a chat to Simon and asked him to speak to her on the phone.

I dialed her up, and said mum - there's someone who wants to talk to you. He introduced himself, after 15 seconds he looked at me laughing, and tried again desperate to convince the non believer on the other end it was genuinely him.

After a couple of minutes he handed me back the phone laughing as there was no convincing mum it was genuine. She was sure it was one of my friends having a lend of her.

Her face when I saw her next !

Nice guy, gave us a good story and always a great servant for the dogs.

[Bulldog4life]

From '57 to '64 John Hoiles, from Sunbury, played 117 games. He played his first season in #39 but thereafter in #23.
He had a very unusual kicking style, was strong and good in the air. He played a crackerjack game in the '61 Prelim at CHB. Played 101 games on the trot between '59 and his departure to captain/coach Corowa in the Ovens and Murray. He played in a Premiership with them in 1968 - their first in 36 years. I met him in Bendigo in 2016 when a photo shoot of supporters was organised by the Bendigo Advertiser prior to the GF - a very passionate Bulldog. Turns 82 this year.

Tough centre half back. I remember Jack Dyer used to call him Hoil lees. With John Jillard next to him they were a good unit. Well the whole backline was really in those days.

[Bulldog4life]

From '75 to '79 Lee Perussich played 45 games. He wore #23 for 4 seasons and kicked 12 goals.

He and his dad were both good cricketers with Yarraville in the sub district. His dad delivered the bread when I lived in Yarraville as a kid.

[merantau]

Loved Axe. He was a very good player.

I have a good Simon Atkins tale.

He was my mum's favourite player. One night me and the lads were out on the town and end up at an inner city bar somewhere, low and behold there's Axe having a beer with a mate. I thought right, this is a good way to get some brownie points with my lovely mother so I had a chat to Simon and asked him to speak to her on the phone.

I dialed her up, and said mum - there's someone who wants to talk to you. He introduced himself, after 15 seconds he looked at me laughing, and tried again desperate to convince the non believer on the other end it was genuinely him.

After a couple of minutes he handed me back the phone laughing as there was no convincing mum it was genuine. She was sure it was one of my friends having a lend of her.

Her face when I saw her next !

Nice guy, gave us a good story and always a great servant for the dogs.

Classic. Thanks for sharing.

[bornadog]

Loved Axe. He was a very good player.

I have a good Simon Atkins tale.

He was my mum's favourite player. One night me and the lads were out on the town and end up at an inner city bar somewhere, low and behold there's Axe having a beer with a mate. I thought right, this is a good way to get some brownie points with my lovely mother so I had a chat to Simon and asked him to speak to her on the phone.

I dialed her up, and said mum - there's someone who wants to talk to you. He introduced himself, after 15 seconds he looked at me laughing, and tried again desperate to convince the non believer on the other end it was genuinely him.

After a couple of minutes he handed me back the phone laughing as there was no convincing mum it was genuine. She was sure it was one of my friends having a lend of her.

Her face when I saw her next !

Nice guy, gave us a good story and always a great servant for the dogs.

These days it would be a selfie.

I remember Axe came over from Tassie, with his twin brother. His brother played reserves but never got a senior game.

One day we were playing a crucial match at Western Oval (as it was called then), and a mate came over and said Axe is out, I just saw him in his civvies. It turned out to be his twin.

[merantau]

From '95 to '99 Michael Martin played 48 games in #23. A high draft pick he debuted as an 18 year old He played some good footy at times but was eventually traded to Brisbane in a deal that secured Trent Bartlett and, later, Daniel Giansiracusa.

Michael was struck down by osteitus pubis an injury that drew down the curtain on his AFL career.

[merantau]

Jordan McMahon was a first round draft pick who played 114 games in the #23 between 2001 and 2007 before being traded to Richmond. He had plenty of pace off half-back and was a solid contributor who was used to shut down and run off the smaller forwards.

Terry Wallace was keen to get him to Richmond. He had 2 good years there but after Hardwick took over he never got another game with the seniors. Should have offered to mow his lawns. It worked wonders for Kevin Walsh at Essendon.

[merantau]

From '10 to '18 Premiership Hero Jordan Roughead played 138 games as our #23. Played as a key defender early on and later on in the ruck. When the whips were cracking in 2016 he really stood up to be counted. He had some telling moments in the Finals and to make it to the line for the GF and play so well was a testament to his character.

Post 2016 saw him battle injury which was very frustrating for all concerned. A lot of people were unhappy when he went to Collingwood - me included.

[merantau]

So that concludes # 23. Next #24 and we have had some very good players wear this number.

[Twodogs]

He and his dad were both good cricketers with Yarraville in the sub district. His dad delivered the bread when I lived in Yarraville as a kid.

Lee ended his career at Yarraville in the VFA but he didn't play many games due to a particularly bad knee injury that just couldn't be fixed.

I can remember playing cricket against him. You're right he was a very good player.

[EasternWest]

From '10 to '18 Premiership Hero Jordan Roughead played 138 games as our #23. Played as a key defender early on and later on in the ruck. When the whips were cracking in 2016 he really stood up to be counted. He had some telling moments in the Finals and to make it to the line for the GF and play so well was a testament to his character.

Post 2016 saw him battle injury which was very frustrating for all concerned. A lot of people were unhappy when he went to Collingwood - me included.

Agree and disagree. Felt like Jordan had run his race at the Dogs.

Happy to see him getting on at the pies. Great guy, big part of our glory.

[merantau]

Jim Gallagher from Assumption College Kilmore played 151 games in the #24. He was a key part of our champion defensive unit that was integral to our breakthrough Flag win.

Jim never kicked a goal - but he stopped plenty! He celebrated his 90th Birthday on March 17. Was selected on the bench in the Bulldogs Team of the Century.

[merantau]

Jack Slattery from Eaglehawk had a 4 year career and wore #24 for the last two of them. He was a small fast-leading full forward and kicked 41 goals from his 32 games. He played in our '61 GF.

[merantau]

Gary Dempsey was a tremendous footballer. One of the greatest ruckmen ever he debuted in 1967 wearing #24. He played 207 games and won six B&Fs.

From Wikipedia:

"Dempsey made his debut for Footscray in 1967. In 1969, he spent six weeks in hospital after being burnt by a bushfire near his home in Truganina and was told he would never play football again. Despite this, he defied the odds to return to the playing field and then win his first club best-and-fairest award in 1970. Dempsey would win the club best-and-fairest award five more times, underlining his importance to the underachieving Bulldogs.

Although he had won a number of individual awards, Dempsey yearned for team success and signed with North Melbourne in 1979, winning the club best-and-fairest in his first year there. He played out his career at the Kangaroos, playing 122 games for them, and retired in 1984. Dempsey was named an emergency in the Kangaroos Team of the Century.[1]

Dempsey finished in the top 10 in the Brownlow Medal 13 times. He was named an All-Australian Team member at the 1972 Perth carnival.

In 1996 Dempsey was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

He was named as first ruckman in the Footscray's Team of the Century.

Player honours:

Brownlow Medal 1975Runner-up Brownlow Medal 1970Second highest Brownlow votesFootscray best and fairest 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977North Melbourne best and fairest 1979Footscray captain 1971–1972, 1977–1978Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the CenturyNorth Melbourne/Kangaroos Team of the CenturyAll-Australian 1972Victorian representative (22 games, 8 goals)Represented Australia in "The Galahs" Australian Football World Tour 1968.

All up he played 329 games. When I was in Yr 11 in 1965 I played against him once. He was at Altona North Tech, I was at Tottenham. He dominated the game.

Best pack mark going around in the late 60s and 70s.

[merantau]

From '83 to '96 Steve Wallis played 261 quality games in the #24. A determined, tough half back and occasional midfielder he kicked 57 goals, played for Victoria 3 times and captained the club in 1989. A great player for us.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

From '10 to '18 Premiership Hero Jordan Roughead played 138 games as our #23. Played as a key defender early on and later on in the ruck. When the whips were cracking in 2016 he really stood up to be counted. He had some telling moments in the Finals and to make it to the line for the GF and play so well was a testament to his character.

Post 2016 saw him battle injury which was very frustrating for all concerned. A lot of people were unhappy when he went to Collingwood - me included.

Jordan Roughead grew up as a passionate Bulldogs supporter with his Father and uncle who was Jared Roughead’s father, both playing with our Reserves team. He will be best remembered for coming back from our 2016 Preliminary Final after a serious eye injury, to play such a fine game in our 2016 Premiership. Always disappointing to see our players be moved on and he continues to hold down the key defensive post at Collingwood.

[bornadog]

Jordan Roughead grew up as a passionate Bulldogs supporter with his Father and uncle who was Jared Roughead’s father, both playing with our Reserves team. He will be best remembered for coming back from our 2016 Preliminary Final after a serious eye injury, to play such a fine game in our 2016 Premiership. Always disappointing to see our players be moved on and he continues to hold down the key defensive post at Collingwood.

Good luck to Gardner and hope he does well, but at this stage, Jordy would be handy at FB

[Mofra]

From '83 to '96 Steve Wallis played 261 quality games in the #24. A determined, tough half back and occasional midfielder he kicked 57 goals, played for Victoria 3 times and captained the club in 1989. A great player for us.
Wallis also sparked the famous brawl against West Coast where Daniel Southern held Sumich in the sleeper hold.
Brett heady kicked 10 goals against us in the previous game, and kept up his "that's 1, that's 2 etc" after every goal.

Wallis saw a chance in the follow up match and absolutely cleaned him up. As West Coast players ran over to remonstrate, Wally just said "that's 1"

[merantau]

Wallis also sparked the famous brawl against West Coast where Daniel Southern held Sumich in the sleeper hold.
Brett heady kicked 10 goals against us in the previous game, and kept up his "that's 1, that's 2 etc" after every goal.

Wallis saw a chance in the follow up match and absolutely cleaned him up. As West Coast players ran over to remonstrate, Wally just said "that's 1"

Heady was one of those players that I found really easy to dislike. And now I know why.

[merantau]

From '96 - '98 Brad Wira played 61 games for us in the #24 before going back to Freo. He was good value for us.

[merantau]

In 2015 Shane Biggs arrived from Sydney where in 2 years he played a handful of games.

He had four years with us in the #24 before retiring. He played 57 games for us and saved his best for the GF where in the last quarter he un-rolled his party trick "For the Ages".

In this trick you trans-substantiate into another entity entirely. You look like Shane Biggs, you are still wearing #24, but you have become the world's first organic wall - The Wall of Biggs - through which the enemy cannot pass.

Shane Biggs - Bulldog Warrior - Hero

#Never Forget. The Wall of Biggs. They shall not pass.

https://youtu.be/sXftCtcv5PU

[EasternWest]

#Never Forget

[merantau]

From '50 to '58 the great Herb Henderson, from Mildura Imperials, played 130 games in the #25. He was the only full back to have the measure of the great John Coleman - Coleman kicked 12 on debut so he was no mug. In their 5 encounters the best Coleman could manage was 4 goals.

Herb was quick off the mark and was not afraid to play in front. His teaming with back pocket Wally Donald was uncanny. They were key figures in a formidable defence.

Herb was selected full back in the Bulldogs Team of the Century. He will turn 91 in September this year.

[Twodogs]

Geoff Jennings was a gun in #25.

[merantau]

John Jillard played 189 games for us in the #25. A tough, uncompromising half back he was part of our #61 GF team, played for Victoria, was elected in the Bulldogs Team of the Century and won the B&F in 1967.
After leaving the Bulldogs he played for Latrobe FC in Tasmania where he won two B&Fs in 1970 and '71. Also played for Ainslie FC
John is a member of the Bulldogs Hall of Fame. He passed away i 1998 aged 57. He was a very fine footballer for us. 189 games - one goal, kicked in Round 15, 1965 against St.Kilda. Played his last game for us in Round 2, 1970 and went out a winner when we defeated Essendon.

[merantau]

From '74 to '83 Geoff Jennings played 137 games and kicked 136 goals wearing the #25. He was a very classy rover with great pace and a good football brain.

He captained the Club from '79 to '81 and played for Victoria 3 times

[merantau]

From '94 to '98 Jason Watts played 57 games and kicked 51 goals. He won our goal kicking in 1986 playing at full forward. He kicked 44 goals in 20 games.

From Wikipedia:

"Watts was recruited by Footscray on the back of his strong 1993 season at Werribee, when he won their best and fairest award in a premiership year. Picked up in the 1994 Pre-Season Draft, Watts appeared in 21 games for Footscray, including a qualifying final, in his first year at the club. He played as a small forward in 1996 and was the leading goal-kicker for the Bulldogs, with 44 goals from his 20 games. Over the next two years he added only five more games to his tally."

[Before I Die]

John Jillard played 189 games for us in the #25. A tough, uncompromising half back he was part of our #61 GF team, played for Victoria, was elected in the Bulldogs Team of the Century and won the B&F in 1967.
After leaving the Bulldogs he played for Latrobe FC in Tasmania where he won two B&Fs in 1970 and '71. Also played for Ainslie FC
John is a member of the Bulldogs Hall of Fame. He passed away i 1998 aged 57. He was a very fine footballer for us. 189 games - one goal, kicked in Round 15, 1965 against St.Kilda. Played his last game for us in Round 2, 1970 and went out a winner when we defeated Essendon.

I started attending games in the mid 60s (1960s that it) and John Jillard was my first football hero. They were lean times and he was a standout at the time.

[Before I Die]

From '94 to '98 Jason Watts played 57 games and kicked 51 goals. He won our goal kicking in 1986 playing at full forward. He kicked 44 goals in 20 games.

From Wikipedia:

"Watts was recruited by Footscray on the back of his strong 1993 season at Werribee, when he won their best and fairest award in a premiership year. Picked up in the 1994 Pre-Season Draft, Watts appeared in 21 games for Footscray, including a qualifying final, in his first year at the club. He played as a small forward in 1996 and was the leading goal-kicker for the Bulldogs, with 44 goals from his 20 games. Over the next two years he added only five more games to his tally."

My memory was that he played full forward, starting out of the square. I think the description "played as un undersized full forward" would be more apt.

[merantau]

My memory was that he played full forward, starting out of the square. I think the description "played as un undersized full forward" would be more apt.

Your memory is correct.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I started attending games in the mid 60s (1960s that it) and John Jillard was my first football hero. They were lean times and he was a standout at the time.

I mwt John's wife whilst attending a Dog's match at GABBA in either 97 or 98. John couldn't attend as he was very ill with cancer at the time, and passed not too long after. His wife spoke very fondly of the club and she was attending the game on John's behalf.

[merantau]

From '99 to '02 Kingsley Hunter played 57 games in the #25. He played at both ends of the ground and booted 20 goals in 2000 and also won Goal of the Year.

We got him from Freo in exchange for Brad Wira. He was a big unit - 6'3" and 102 kg. He played full forward at Freo. We used him both in defence and up forward.

He went to Hawthorn in '93 and played a couple of game for them.

Kingsley Hunter - Goal of the Year.

https://youtu.be/QCvoThFacDQ

[merantau]

From '02 to '12 Ryan Hargrave played 203 games..He started wearing #25 after his first season. He was a terrific player for us. Originally from Perth "Shaggy" was one of those players that you could totally rely on. I really admired him.

[merantau]

From '13 to '16 Koby Stevens played 63 games in the #25. Robust and committed he was a tough, uncompromising inside mid fielder who gave it his all. Went to St Kilda but was forced into retirement due to persistent concussion. Injury problems probably cost him a place in our GF team as he had an excellent 2016..We have certainly had some grand players wear the #25.

[bornadog]

From '02 to '12 Ryan Hargrave played 203 games..He started wearing #25 after his first season. He was a terrific player for us. Originally from Perth "Shaggy" was one of those players that you could totally rely on. I really admired him.

My daughters favourite as a kid

[merantau]

Between '53 and '55 Jack Nuttall played 27 games in the #26. He played 16 games in '54 and was a member of the 1954 Flag team.

A 6'1" 83kg defender he was recruited from Sunshine.

[bornadog]

Between '53 and '55 Jack Nuttall played 27 games in the #26. He played 16 games in '54 and was a member of the 1954 Flag team.

A 6'1" 83kg defender he was recruited from Sunshine.

Pretty sure I went to school with a Nutall in West Sunshine, maybe a relative.

[merantau]

Between 1959 and 1965 Ray Walker had a seven year career at Footscray which yeilded 73 games a B&F in 1963 and Victorian selection on two occasions. (1960 and 1963)

Described as a rugged defender with good skills he hailed from the famous Braybrook Football Club where no doubt the values of teamwork, courage and determination were instilled in the players.

Ray was a close checking, skillful back pocket who was good in the air. He suffered an eye injury in 1961 which restricted his appearances and Charlie Evans played back pocket in the Finals series and also represented Victoria in 1962. We had another good back pocket too - Owen Madigan. He only got 7 games with us so went to Richmond where he played 40 games.

Ray went to coach in Tassie and achieved immediate success with Burnie as premiership captain-coach in 1966. In 1969 and 70 he coached the Penguin FC.

In 1966 he was a Tasmanian representative at the Hobart Carnival. He was Lefroy Medalist in the Tasmania v Victoria clash of 1967.

When his playing days were over Ray continued his involvement with football through his career as a Channel 9 commentator in Tamania and later as an ABC panellist alongside other football luminaries such as Harry Beitzel, Tony Ongarello, Harry Sullivan, "Chicken" Smallhorn, Doug Bigelow, Butch Gale? and some others whose names I can't recall (perhaps Thorold Merrett). This career spanned the years 1972 to 1987

As well as his broardcasting career Ray served as Victorian Chairman of Selectors from 1981 to 1985 and was Chairman of Selectors at the Bulldogs for 3 years

Ray was awarded Life Membership of the Western Bulldogs in 1999 as recognition of his outstanding service over many years.

[EasternWest]

Between 1959 and 1965 Ray Walker had a seven year career at Footscray which yeilded 73 games a B&F in 1963 and Victorian selection on two occasions. (1960 and 1963)

Described as a rugged defender with good skills he hailed from the famous Braybrook Football Club where no doubt the values of teamwork, courage and determination were instilled in the players.

Ray was a close checking, skillful back pocket who was good in the air. He suffered an eye injury in 1961 which restricted his appearances and Charlie Evans played back pocket in the Finals series and also represented Victoria in 1962. We had another good back pocket too - Owen Madigan. He only got 7 games with us so went to Richmond where he played 40 games.

He went to coach in Tassie and achieved immediate success with Burnie as premiership captain-coach in 1966. In 1969 and 70 he coached the Penguin FC.

In 1966 he was a Tasmanian representative at the Hobart Carnival. He was Lefroy Medalist in the Tasmania v Victoria clash of 1967.

When his playing days were over Ray continued his involvement with football through his career as a Channel 9 commentator in Tamania and later as an ABC panellist alongside other football luminaries such as Harry Beitzel, Tony Ongarello, Harry Sullivan, "Chicken" Smallhorn, Doug Bigelow, Butch Gale? and some others whose names I can't recall (perhaps Thorold Merrett). This career spanned the years 1972 to 1987

As well as his broardcasting career Ray served as Victorian Chairman of Selectors from 1981 to 1985 and was Chairman of Selectors at the Bulldogs for 3 years

Ray was awarded Life Membership of the Western Bulldogs in 1999 as recognition of his outstanding service over many years.

This thread is like crack.

[merantau]

This thread is like crack.

I'm dealing history.

[merantau]

Richard Murrie wore #26 and crafted a decent career in the 70s and early 80s - 111 games with three clubs over nine years. From Sturt Sth Aust he started with us in '75 as a KPD at CHB and played 68 games over five seasons. He was a bit of a swing man too and occasionally played CHF.

In 1980 he went to Geelong for 3 years and played another 35 games with them. He final season was at Richmond where in 1983 he played 8 games.

After leaving the VFL he went to Box Hill where he captain coached the Mustangs to the 1986 Division 2 Premiership.

[merantau]

I'm going to break ranks here and feature someone who played only ONE game for us. He was the first - and as far as I know, the only - nuclear physicist to run out in our colours. John Reilly ran out in Round 1 1984. He came with a big reputation but his debut was rather underwhelming. I was there and witnessed each of his 4 kicks and four handballs. He was prematurely grey which surprised me at the time.

Here are some notes from Wikipedia.

Originally from Broadview, Riley made his SANFL debut in 1977 and by 1982 was North Adelaide captain. In 1982, he also won the club's 'fairest and most brilliant' award and took part in South Australia's interstate fixtures.

He was lured to the VFL in 1984 when Footscray signed him and made his first appearance in the opening round of the 1984 VFL season, with eight disposals in a win over Richmond.[4] However, he had not been granted a clearance by North Adelaide, and the club was successful in getting a Supreme Court injunction to prevent him playing more games at Footscray.[5]

Riley finished the season with North Adelaide and remained with the club until 1990, amassing 250 games. After playing in their 1985 and 1986 Grand Final losses, Riley was on the half back flank when they won the 1987 premiership decider. He was later named at the same position in the North Adelaide 'Team of the Century'.[6]

So, obviously he could play the game - he just didn't get to play it with us.

I heard a rumour that we gave him a car to run around in and that it was last seen heading out Ballarat Rd in the direction of Bordertown. I don't think the story is true though. Could be a simple misunderstanding.

[merantau]

Make no mistake - Danny Del-Re was a very good footballer. He tried out as a youngster with us but didn't make the cut. Undeterred he went to Williamstown where he had three good years and was invited back to have another crack at Whitten Oval.

He played his first game in Round 1 1990, played 62 games and kicked 139 goals 81 behinds.

Standing 6'2" and weighing 98kg he was quick off the mark, knew where to run and could hold his own in one-on-one duels with the best defenders of the day. He was an excellent kick and being outside the 50mt arc didn't faze him.

Danny holds the Club for the most goals kicked by a Bulldog in a final - 8 against Geelong in the 1992 Qualifying Final- a game that, at half time, I felt sure we were going to win. He had 9 kicks and kicked 8 goals 1 behind.

Danny won our goal kicking in 1992 with 70 goals and again in '93 with 36 goals.

In 1995 Danny re-located to South Adelaide to continue his goal kicking feats. He won their goal-kicking with a career high 90 majors.

Danny Del-Re in the #26 jumper was a very popular player with supporters.

[merantau]

From '95 to '01 Simon Cox from Glenelg played 58 games in the #26.
A left footed wingman Cox played his first senior SANFL game at 16 and was recruited to the Western Bulldogs from where he made his league debut in 1995.

Cox was delisted in 2001 after 58 games and was picked up by Hawthorn in the draft. He finished second in the 2002 Hawthorn Best and Fairest award but was de-listed at the end of the 2003 season at the age of 26. Cox later played in the KNTFL for Keith and Naracoorte.
(Source: Wikipedia)

I thought he was a pretty handy footballer. He only played 5 games in his first 2 seasons with us. He was a beautiful kick. I did not realise he did so well in his stint at Hawthorn. Simon wore #26.

[merantau]

Billy Gowers wore #26 for 3 seasons - '18 thru '20 and played 33 games all up. He played 20 games in his first year, kicked 26 goals and won our goalkicking.

Thereafter, games and goals were harder to come by. He could definitely play and I liked the way he went about his football. He certainly had a better career than many. AFL is a very tough gig and anyone who pulls on the jumper - even if it's for just one game - has my respect.

[merantau]

Graeme "Pudden" Chalmers from Yarraville played 75 games in the #27 from 1962 to 1968. He booted 37 goals and played mainly on the wing and sometimes roved.
He retired at age 23 and became a pilot with the RAAF.

[merantau]

From '82 to '95 Stephen McPherson played 188 games in the #27 and kicked 152 goals. He was tough, skilled, clever and creative. He played mainly off half forward but could also have a run on the ball. He was a very popular player. His willingness to "fly the flag" when necessary did not go unnoticed by supporters.

I acknowledge the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame website for this summary of Super's career.

117. Stephen Macpherson

Player Inductee

Clarence/Footscray, Utility, 1980-95

> 188 games, 153 goals for Footscray, 1982-95
> Footscray VFL reserves premierships, 1988, 1994
> Five representative matches for Tasmania
> Coburg Coach (VFL), 1999-2000
> Greenvale FC coach (Essendon District FL), 2004-2010
> Greenvale EDFL premiership coach, 2004, 2007

A tough, uncompromising hard man who could play almost any role and was rarely beaten, Stephen ‘Supa’ Macpherson was a fan favourite at Footscray for more than 10 years during the 1980s and 1990s.

Born in 1964, Macpherson played junior football for Howrah before joining Clarence in 1980 as a 15-year-old. Soon after representing Tasmania at an Under 15’s National Carnival in Darwin (in which he won the award for best player and All-Australian selection), Macpherson and his brother Rod both signed ‘Form Fours’ with Footscray, and in 1981 the 16-year-old Stephen was on his way to Victoria. He spent 1981 playing U19’s and reserves football for the Bulldogs, as well as playing for Chisholm College, one of his teammates being future Australian test cricketer Tony Dodemaide. Macpherson finally broke through for his senior debut for Footscray – still aged just 17 years, 3 months – in Round 1, 1983; unfortunately it would be a day to forget for Macpherson and his teammates, as Essendon annihilated the Bulldogs by 109 points.

Over the next few seasons Macpherson became an integral part of the Footscray midfield, sharing the ground with terrific players such as Doug Hawkins, Andrew Purser and Steven Wallis. After little success in his first two seasons under Royce Hart and Ian ‘Bluey’ Hampshire, the appointment of Michael Malthouse as coach in 1984 was the catalyst for a change in fortune at the Western Oval. In Malthouse’s second season of 1985 Footscray charged into a preliminary final, and that year was also arguably Macpherson’s finest, as he gathered 400 disposals and booted 39 goals to finish third on the Bulldogs goalkicking table behind Simon Beasley and Les Bamblett. Unfortunately it was after this point that the injuries that would plague Macpherson’s career began to strike with regularity. Between 1986 and 1991, Macpherson would play only 78 of a possible 132 senior games, although on a positive note he did taste premiership success during this period, as Footscray’s reserves defeated North Melbourne by 20 points in 1988. During this period, Macpherson also took his place (involuntarily) in football folklore: on a typically wet and muddy day at the Western Oval, Michael Malthouse controversially brought Macpherson into the side as a late ‘horses-for-courses’ change at the expense of glamour full-forward Simon Beasley.

Macpherson finally managed to shake the injuries in 1992 and had a superb year, playing every game in a Bulldogs side that was at one stage premiership favourite. Sadly it was to be an ‘Indian Summer’ for Macpherson, and after only another 26 senior games in the next three years – and also a second reserves premiership in 1994 – Macpherson retired at the end of the 1995 season after 188 senior games for the red, white and blue.

Post-playing career, Macpherson turned his hand to coaching and development. After a period with the Western Jets TAC Cup team, he took on the role as senior coach of Coburg in the VFL in 1999 and 2000. From there, there was a stint as a scout for Richmond before taking on the role as senior coach with Greenvale in the Essendon District Football League (EDFL) in 2004. He led the club to senior premierships in 2004 and 2007 before stepping down at the end of 2010.

[merantau]

From '04 to '16 Will Minson played 191 games in the #27 and kicked 81 goals. A two metre tall ruckman he played with great passion and could always be relied on to celebrate a goal with gusto.

He had a great pair of hands, was mobile and a good kick on either side of his body. An excellent tap ruckman our midfielders certainly enjoyed working alongside him.

Will played two games in 2016 and was a member of our 2016 VFL Premiership Team. He retired after that game so he went out a winner.

[merantau]

This excellent package from Als Highlights shows what a good player Will Minson was.

https://youtu.be/56HB69xRc-U

[Doc26]

In case it hasn’t been said before :D absolutely loving your effort with this thread Merantau.

It needs bottling.

[bornadog]

This excellent package from Als Highlights shows what a good player Will Minson was.

https://youtu.be/56HB69xRc-U

I loved Will's aggression and he gave 150% when he was out there.

[merantau]

And so to #28 and Premiership playèr Doug Reynolds. Doug was recruited from Spotswood U/18s in 1952. He played on the wing and sometimes ìn the centre.

He was named in our best players in both the 2nd Semi and the GF.

He racked up 80 games with us before playing a season and a half at Richmond from Round 9 1958 until the end of 1959. (15 senior games) He won the Reserves B&F in 1959.

Doug went on to play for Sorrento where he won the B&F in 1961.
Doug will turn 88 on Sept 4 this year.

[merantau]

Between '60 and '63 Charlie Evans played 42 games for us: in three of those seasons he wore #28.

He was a solid back pocket. His '61 season realised 21 games including the finals series. He came equal 5th in the Brownlow with 12 votes. He was selected to play for the Vics in 1962.

In '64 he went to South where he played 8 games giving him 50 in total.

[Eastdog]

Great stuff merantau! Will have to take the time out to read some of these.

[merantau]

I've dug up a few clips of Danny Del-Re. Here's a clip from a good win in '92 - Del-Re, Royal, Atkins - the usual suspects.

https://youtu.be/c1TY4vbaKqU

This is a marvellous clip from '92 featuring a top team performance at the SCG. Note Bubba's mullet and Steve Kolyniuk's hair.

https://youtu.be/vSEE2Z6Q6zc

Here's another lazy 6 from Danny.

https://youtu.be/uGPLF95b5I4

[merantau]

This thread is like crack.

I'm dealing history.

Btw, I believe Fitzroy full forward, Tony Ongarello, was the last player to use the place kick in a VFL game. This is an interesting clip on the evolution of kicking the Sherrin.

https://youtu.be/cHN7vzarc58

And here's a great interview of the man himself conducted by Mike Sheahan a couple of years back.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/open-mike-last-man-to-score-place-kick-goal-not-impressed-by-todays-goalkickers/news-story/421db91e5134e75db00f3544bac49792

The photo in the article is from Round 5, 1958 at the Brunswick Street Oval. The Bulldog players are Herb Henderson and John Hoiles is #23. The Fitzroy #9 is Rod Vernon who played 119 games for the Lions. He was recruited from East Brunswick YCW.

Tony Ongarello booted 5 goals and the Roys won by 56 points. There must have been a gale blowing as they led 8.5 to 0.1 at quarter time and in the last quarter we only kicked 3 points. Fitzroy 16.14.110 Footscray 7.12.54. Roger Duffy kicked 4.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

And so to #28 and Premiership playèr Doug Reynolds. Doug was recruited from Spotswood U/18s in 1952. He played on the wing and sometimes ìn the centre.

He was named in our best players in both the 2nd Semi and the GF.

He racked up 80 games with us before playing a season and a half at Richmond from Round 9 1958 until the end of 1959. (15 senior games) He won the Reserves B&F in 1959.

Doug went on to play for Sorrento where he won the B&F in 1961.
Doug will turn 88 on Sept 4 this year.
Doug Reynolds remains now one of only 5 players which includes Herb Henderson Jim Gallagher Angus Abbey and Ron Stockman from our historic 1954 Premiership team.
Like many former players who left our Club for different reasons Doug returned to the Bulldogs to become an active Member of our Past Players Association.

[merantau]

Update. Add Don Ross. 1956 B&F. Vic Rep. Turned 87 on Feb 20, this year.

Here's a link to an interview conducted just before the GF in 2016.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-28/afl-grand-final-footscray-hero-don-ross-recalls-1954-flag/7886050

[Grantysghost]

Love this thread. Was Scott Welsh our recruit from the Crows a #28 Merantau?

[merantau]

Love this thread. Was Scott Welsh our recruit from the Crows a #28 Merantau?

Indeed he was. He's coming up soon. Good player.

[merantau]

From '64 to '68 Noel Fincher played 46 games in the #28 and kicked 7 goals. He played mainly in defence. He went to North in '69 and '70 and played a further 15 games for a total of 61 all up.

[merantau]

Ian Low played 67 games and kicked 65 goals in the #28 between 1975 and 1979.

He was a solidly built (6'0" 86kgs) winger/flanker who had good skills and liked to get forward.

He played at Collingwood in '80 and booted 4 goals in his 3rd last game, a semi final win over Carlton at the MCG.

Low started his career in the Canberra Australian National Football League and participated in Manuka's 1973 and 1974 premiership winning teams. Picked up by Footscray in 1975, he was mostly as a wingman or at half forward. He kicked 19 goals in 1976 and 20 goals the following season. In 1978, Low contributed a goal when Footscray amassed a club record 213 points against St Kilda. The club however only made the finals once, in 1976, but he got a chance to experience a prolonged finals campaign when he crossed to Collingwood in 1980. He was a half forward flanker in the losing 1980 VFL Grand Final side.
(Notes courtesy Wikipedia)

[merantau]

Paul Dimattina did not have a smooth journey into top level football as these notes from Wikipedia attest:

"Dimattina played for Richmond at Under 19 level as a 16 year in 1991[2] and was drafted by them with the final selection in the 1991 AFL draft. He played reserves football for them in 1992, but never played an AFL game for Richmond. During 1993 and 1994 he played for Victorian Football Association (VFA) team Sandringham, as well as some games for the Carlton and Essendon reserves teams. Drafted by the Footscray Football Club (later Western Bulldogs) with the 26th selection in the 1995 Pre-season draft, Dimattina made his AFL debut late in the 1995 season. Dimattina was a high possession winner for the Bulldogs throughout his career. He played 131 games for the Bulldogs until he was delisted at the end of the 2003 season.

Dimma was one third of our famous self-named "Wog Squad" alongside Tony Liberatore and José Romero. They didn't take any crap and competed fiercely.

I loved the way Dimma took the game on. He didn't mind a bounce or three. One of my favourite players. He wore #28.

[merantau]

Scott Welsh was a damn good footballer as these notes from Wikipedia point out.

"Debuting with North Melbourne in 1996 as a 17-year-old, Welsh was seen as a development player who started to get regular game time in 1998. Though he was drafted as a half-back flanker, Welsh played with North Melbourne as a forward and was a part of North Melbourne's premiership side in 1999 before, citing homesickness, returning to Adelaide in 2000 to play for Adelaide Football Club.

Welsh played up forward for the Crows and is known for his occasional devastating displays in front of goals, twice scoring eight goals in a match. He was considered one of Adelaide's premier forwards.

In 2005, Welsh booted 58 goals; his best season in terms of goals scored. He also notched up his 100th game with Adelaide in 2004. Though injury problems forced him to miss many games throughout his career (injuries mainly began from 2002 onwards) and he had to wait until Round 19 for his first game for the Crows in 2006.

In 2007 he played his 150th AFL game against Brisbane in round 7. Welsh finished with 49 goals and 20 behinds for the season, topping the Crows goalkicking list for the fourth time. His fourth goal against Hawthorn on 8 September 2007 in the elimination final became his 300th goal in senior AFL football.

On 13 November 2007, Welsh quit the Crows and was placed in the pre-season draft. He was drafted to the Western Bulldogs on 11 December 2007, who used their pick number 4 in the Pre-Season Draft to claim him. Ironically, the Western Bulldogs played Adelaide in the first round of the 2008 season.

Welsh announced his retirement at the end of the 2009 season after missing out on the Grand Final with the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were knocked out in the preliminary finals in two consecutive seasons and he had played in five losing preliminary finals after winning a premiership in 1999. Scott kicked 63 goals for us spread over 40 games and two seasons. In 2008 he booted 43 goals and the following season he bagged 20. He was a strong mark and kicked accurately from inside 50.

Post AFL Welsh had a stint at the Encounter Bay Football Club notably leading the goal kicking in 2013 in a premiership year.

All up he had a 14 year career with 3 clubs that yielded 205 games, 363 goals, a Premiership and he won Adelaide's goal kicking 4 times.

[merantau]

Dimma's first goal for us.

https://youtu.be/hZCbt595D_A

[merantau]

Scott Welsh bags 5 for us.

https://youtu.be/dgd4Bdyom_U

And here's another 5 - against Sydney. Both clips courtesy of Als Highlights. Al does a fantastic job. His "Octocalls" are epic.

https://youtu.be/NEQnR673igo

[Ozza]

Between 1959 and 1965 Ray Walker had a seven year career at Footscray which yeilded 73 games a B&F in 1963 and Victorian selection on two occasions. (1960 and 1963)


The only B&F winners between 1957-1966 were Whitten (4), Schultz (5) and Ray Walker.

Must have been a fair player to knock off Whitten and Schultz in the middle of that 10 year period for a B&F.

[merantau]

The only B&F winners between 1957-1966 were Whitten (4), Schultz (5) and Ray Walker.

Must have been a fair player to knock off Whitten and Schultz in the middle of that 10 year period for a B&F.

Thanks for pointing that out. He was a bloody good player and I'm happy to say I was in the outer for his entire career at the Dogs.

[merantau]

Barry Hall grew up barracking for the Dogs and wore #28 during the two seasons he played with us.

We threw him a lifeline and he grabbed it with both hands - season one yielded 80 goals and the pre-season Cup when we deafeated St.Kilda. Season two delivered 53 goals.

Barry was a much decorated footballer. Captain of the Swans first Flag for 74 years (2005), Swans captain '05-'08, leading goal kicker at StKilda twice, Swans 7 times and for us twice. Four times All-Australian.

Barry did it all. Big, strong, fast he was a headache for defenders and some may still be having therapy despite the passage of time

His record:
Years Club Games (Goals)

1996–2001 St Kilda 88 (144)
2002–2009 Sydney162 (467)
2010–2011Western Bulldogs 39 (135)Total289 (746)

His time with us was his most productive in terms of goals scored per game. He was a terrific player for us. Definitely in the list of best forwards of all time.

Some highlights- seven against North and 7 against the Saints.

https://youtu.be/aygLdtBcGxU

https://youtu.be/5CVYiZ9UGyk

[merantau]

From 1957 to 1963 Bernie Lee played 95 games for us in the #29. He was a very good competitor and played full back in the '61 Finals campaign.

He came through the U/19s and played all his football in defence - either full back or on the back flank.

[merantau]

From '67 to '69, Fred Cook played 33 games in the #29 and booted 2 goals - you could say he began his great goal kicking exploits at the Bulldogs!

These edited notes are taken from Wikipedia. If you weren't around at the time the VFA was big news and Fred Cook was the biggest name in the game. He was a big performer and a big personality on TV. He certainly filled the bill as 'a larger than life character'. It was a tragedy that he departed the Club in my opinion.

"Cook grew up in Yarraville in Melbourne's inner western suburbs, and supported Footscray in the VFL. He played amateur football as a junior for the Footscray Tech Old Boys, then joined the Footscray Football Club in 1967 at age 19. In his second season, 1968, Cook played every game, primarily at centre half-back, and was already developing a reputation as one of the strongest marks in the league.

After the sixth round of the 1969 season, Cook was dropped from Footscray senior side to the reserves, along with six other players, as a disciplinary action for attending a social function which the club had not sanctioned and had discouraged players from attending.

After two weeks in the reserves, Cook was encouraged to cross over to Yarraville in the VFA. The VFA had recently broken its permit agreement with the VFL, meaning that Cook did not require a clearance from Footscray to make the move; and, because the VFA lacked the restrictive player payments laws that the VFL had, Yarraville could offer Cook more money than he was then making at Footscray. In 1970, his first full season with Yarraville, he won the J. J. Liston Trophy for the VFA's best and fairest player playing as its first choice ruckman.Despite his efforts, Yarraville won only one game for the season and was relegated to Division 2, and Cook decided to transfer to Port Melbourne in 1971, where he continued as either a centre half-back or a centre half-forward, depending on the opposition line up.

During a 1972 pre-season practice match against Brunswick, Cook suffered a heart attack between the first and second quarters, but he managed to play the game out and still take 17 marks. He spent the next three weeks in hospital and was advised to retire from football. But, Cook was determined to play again, and made a return later that year. In his first reserves game after the heart attack, he was played at full-forward to keep him out of the heavier action, and he kicked sixteen goals. He made his return to senior football in the last game of the year, less than six months after his heart attack.

Cook was still a utility player at Port Melbourne, playing in the half-backline, ruck and forward-line depending on the needs of the team until 1974 – and in fact, in mid-1974, five years into his VFA career, he was still described as "a makeshift full-forward" by sportswriters of the time. He went on to kick 10.2 from his twelve kicks in that year's Grand Final, and thereafter he was a permanent full forward, and he dominated the Association's goalkicking for the next decade. He topped the VFA's goalkicking five times in a prolific period from 1976–1982.

His highest VFA season tally was in 1982, when he kicked 140 goals.He played in all six of Port Melbourne's premierships and the Centenary Cup victory during the 1974–1982 period, and was a noted performer in Grand Finals, kicking 10 goals in the 1974 Grand Final, 12 goals in the Centenary Cup Grand Final, 9 goals in the 1977 Grand Final, and five goals in the infamous 1976 Grand Final, despite having been king-hit in the second quarter. He represented the VFA in interleague competition on nine occasions, including several times as captain.

He announced his retirement from Port Melbourne at the age of 36, shortly before the end of the 1984 season, having played 253 games and kicked 1210 goals for the club over 14 years; although he had little say in the matter, as club officials indicated that he would no longer be selected in the team due to diminishing returns over his final two seasons. He made a comeback for Division 2 club Moorabbin in 1985, playing eighteen games (and kicking 72 goals) to become the first player to play 300 VFA games, before retiring permanently.

Cook holds the record for most goals kicked in the VFA with 1336, with his record of 300 games being broken by former team mate Bill Swan in 1993.

Cook's success was largely attributed to his marking: he was widely regarded as being one of the strongest and safest marks in the game, even in his early years at Footscray. Through the peak of his career, he was also one of the game's fastest sprinters over a short distance, giving him an advantage as a leading forward. However, somewhat ironically for the VFA's all-time leading goalkicker, he was a poor kick for goal, and many observers commented that he could have kicked many more goals, and perhaps even have become the first man to kick 200 goals in a season, if he'd been a more accurate goalkicker; but, his marking was so dominant and generated so many set shots from close range that it made up for his inaccuracy.

In 2014, the Lorimer St end of North Port Oval was renamed the Cook End in honour of Cook's goalkicking achievements for Port Melbourne."

[jazzadogs]

Billy Gowers wore #26 for 3 seasons - '18 thru '20 and played 33 games all up. He played 20 games in his first year, kicked 26 goals and won our goalkicking.

Thereafter, games and goals were harder to come by. He could definitely play and I liked the way he went about his football. He certainly had a better career than many. AFL is a very tough gig and anyone who pulls on the jumper - even if it's for just one game - has my respect.

I read something the other day (it might have been a graphic in the Herald Sun) that said #26 was our most cursed jumper with lowest average games played, or maybe lowest 'high' number of games played. Anyway, good luck to Dom Bedendo....

[merantau]

From '79 to '86 Neil Cordy played 139 games for us in the #29 mainly as a half back back flanker. He was an excellent mark and kick and he liked to get forward too. He went on to play for yhe Swans and racked up 235 games in total before embarking on a successful media career in Sydney. An excellent player for us. I was sorry to see him leave.

[Twodogs]

From '67 to '69, Fred Cook played 33 games in the #29 and booted 2 goals - you could say he began his great goal kicking exploits at the Bulldogs!

These edited notes are taken from Wikipedia. If you weren't around at the time the VFA was big news and Fred Cook was the biggest name in the game. He was a big performer and a big personality on TV. He certainly filled the bill as 'a larger than life character'. It was a tragedy that he departed the Club in my opinion.

"Cook grew up in Yarraville in Melbourne's inner western suburbs, and supported Footscray in the VFL. He played amateur football as a junior for the Footscray Tech Old Boys, then joined the Footscray Football Club in 1967 at age 19. In his second season, 1968, Cook played every game, primarily at centre half-back, and was already developing a reputation as one of the strongest marks in the league.

After the sixth round of the 1969 season, Cook was dropped from Footscray senior side to the reserves, along with six other players, as a disciplinary action for attending a social function which the club had not sanctioned and had discouraged players from attending.

After two weeks in the reserves, Cook was encouraged to cross over to Yarraville in the VFA. The VFA had recently broken its permit agreement with the VFL, meaning that Cook did not require a clearance from Footscray to make the move; and, because the VFA lacked the restrictive player payments laws that the VFL had, Yarraville could offer Cook more money than he was then making at Footscray. In 1970, his first full season with Yarraville, he won the J. J. Liston Trophy for the VFA's best and fairest player playing as its first choice ruckman.Despite his efforts, Yarraville won only one game for the season and was relegated to Division 2, and Cook decided to transfer to Port Melbourne in 1971, where he continued as either a centre half-back or a centre half-forward, depending on the opposition line up.

During a 1972 pre-season practice match against Brunswick, Cook suffered a heart attack between the first and second quarters, but he managed to play the game out and still take 17 marks. He spent the next three weeks in hospital and was advised to retire from football. But, Cook was determined to play again, and made a return later that year. In his first reserves game after the heart attack, he was played at full-forward to keep him out of the heavier action, and he kicked sixteen goals. He made his return to senior football in the last game of the year, less than six months after his heart attack.

Cook was still a utility player at Port Melbourne, playing in the half-backline, ruck and forward-line depending on the needs of the team until 1974 – and in fact, in mid-1974, five years into his VFA career, he was still described as "a makeshift full-forward" by sportswriters of the time. He went on to kick 10.2 from his twelve kicks in that year's Grand Final, and thereafter he was a permanent full forward, and he dominated the Association's goalkicking for the next decade. He topped the VFA's goalkicking five times in a prolific period from 1976–1982.

His highest VFA season tally was in 1982, when he kicked 140 goals.He played in all six of Port Melbourne's premierships and the Centenary Cup victory during the 1974–1982 period, and was a noted performer in Grand Finals, kicking 10 goals in the 1974 Grand Final, 12 goals in the Centenary Cup Grand Final, 9 goals in the 1977 Grand Final, and five goals in the infamous 1976 Grand Final, despite having been king-hit in the second quarter. He represented the VFA in interleague competition on nine occasions, including several times as captain.

He announced his retirement from Port Melbourne at the age of 36, shortly before the end of the 1984 season, having played 253 games and kicked 1210 goals for the club over 14 years; although he had little say in the matter, as club officials indicated that he would no longer be selected in the team due to diminishing returns over his final two seasons. He made a comeback for Division 2 club Moorabbin in 1985, playing eighteen games (and kicking 72 goals) to become the first player to play 300 VFA games, before retiring permanently.

Cook holds the record for most goals kicked in the VFA with 1336, with his record of 300 games being broken by former team mate Bill Swan in 1993.

Cook's success was largely attributed to his marking: he was widely regarded as being one of the strongest and safest marks in the game, even in his early years at Footscray. Through the peak of his career, he was also one of the game's fastest sprinters over a short distance, giving him an advantage as a leading forward. However, somewhat ironically for the VFA's all-time leading goalkicker, he was a poor kick for goal, and many observers commented that he could have kicked many more goals, and perhaps even have become the first man to kick 200 goals in a season, if he'd been a more accurate goalkicker; but, his marking was so dominant and generated so many set shots from close range that it made up for his inaccuracy.

In 2014, the Lorimer St end of North Port Oval was renamed the Cook End in honour of Cook's goalkicking achievements for Port Melbourne."

There is an excellent book called "Fabulous Fred The Strife and Times of Fred Cook" about Fred by Paul Amy. It's one of the great football biographies and doesn't sugarcoat the less glamorous aspects of Fred Cook's life. I recommend it thoroughly.

[merantau]

There is an excellent book called "Fabulous Fred The Strife and Times of Fred Cook" about Fred by Paul Amy. It's one of the great football biographies and doesn't sugarcoat the less glamorous aspects of Fred Cook's life. I recommend it thoroughly.

Yes, that's a very accurate assessment of the book
It's an excellent read.

[Twodogs]

Yes, that's a very accurate assessment of the book
It's an excellent read.

I read a lot of football books, mostly histories. Time and Space is the best history (it has a whole chapter devoted to the development of handball-how could it not be great?) I've read about footy but Fabulous Fred is the best biography.

[merantau]

Gun forward, Tory Dickson, played 114 games in the #29 and kicked 181 goals 61 behinds making him one of the all time greats for accuracy and probably the most accurate Bulldog of all time.
A mature age recruit he travelled a long and winding road before getting a crack on the big stage. And did he grab it with both hands! What a fabulous player he was during the 2016 campaign. His heroics against GWS in particular will never be forgotten - especially by Heath Shaw, who I suspect, is suffering some form of PTSD after the run around Tory gave him. I just loved him as a player. Total pro. Just went out there and got the job done - no histrionics - using skill, endeavour, a great ability to read the game and to know where the goals are.

These notes are from Wikipedia.

"Before joining the Western Bulldogs, Dickson had been playing for various football clubs around Victoria. In 2009, he won the best and fairest award at Victorian Football League (VFL) club Frankston. After being overlooked for the AFL Draft, Dickson played for Noble Park in the Eastern Football League. In 2011, Dickson signed with the Bendigo Bombers and kicked 48 goals in 19 games.

At the age of 24, Dickson was selected by the Western Bulldogs in the 2011 National Draft, with pick #57. Dickson made his debut in round 1 of the 2012 AFL season against West Coast. He struggled to make an impact, and was dropped the following week.

After spending a month playing for his third VFL club, the Bulldogs' former affiliate Williamstown, Dickson was recalled to the Bulldogs for their round 7 match against North Melbourne.

Dickson is noted for the accuracy of his kicking for goal.[3] He was the most accurate of all AFL players in 2019, and the third-most accurate since 1965.

On September 27, 2020, Dickson announced his retirement from AFL football.

[merantau]

Tory Dickson 2016.

https://youtu.be/zYxAJm7KJts

[merantau]

Check out this terrific tribute to Tory which shows that he was THE most accurate kick for goal EVER

"Put some respect on the name Tory Dickson."

https://youtu.be/jc2MaYDYvxc

[merantau]

Heath Shaw gets pantsed by Tory Dickson.

https://youtu.be/usMMyh5cqpM

[merantau]

Tory Dickson 2005. Beaconsfield FC.

https://youtu.be/usMMyh5cqpM

[merantau]

A Tory Dickson Special against Sydney. Round 4, 2018.
https://youtu.be/SDvnLCgN9Jg

[merantau]

From '49 to '54 defender Angus Abbey played 78 games in the #30. Recruited from FDFL team Warratah, Angus was one of our 1954 Premiership heroes. He will be 96 on November 15 this year.

[EasternWest]

Gun forward, Tory Dickson, played 114 games in the #29 and kicked 181 goals 61 behinds making him one of the all time greats for accuracy and probably the most accurate Bulldog of all time.
A mature age recruit he travelled a long and winding road before getting a crack on the big stage. And did he grab it with both hands! What a fabulous player he was during the 2016 campaign. His heroics against GWS in particular will never be forgotten - especially by Heath Shaw, who I suspect, is suffering some form of PTSD after the run around Tory gave him. I just loved him as a player. Total pro. Just went out there and got the job done - no histrionics - using skill, endeavour, a great ability to read the game and to know where the goals are.

These notes are from Wikipedia.

"Before joining the Western Bulldogs, Dickson had been playing for various football clubs around Victoria. In 2009, he won the best and fairest award at Victorian Football League (VFL) club Frankston. After being overlooked for the AFL Draft, Dickson played for Noble Park in the Eastern Football League. In 2011, Dickson signed with the Bendigo Bombers and kicked 48 goals in 19 games.

At the age of 24, Dickson was selected by the Western Bulldogs in the 2011 National Draft, with pick #57. Dickson made his debut in round 1 of the 2012 AFL season against West Coast. He struggled to make an impact, and was dropped the following week.

After spending a month playing for his third VFL club, the Bulldogs' former affiliate Williamstown, Dickson was recalled to the Bulldogs for their round 7 match against North Melbourne.

Dickson is noted for the accuracy of his kicking for goal.[3] He was the most accurate of all AFL players in 2019, and the third-most accurate since 1965.

On September 27, 2020, Dickson announced his retirement from AFL football.

Deadset club legend.

[Bulldog4life]

My daughters favourite as a kid

Ironically one of my daughter's too. Sexy legs as he was known amongst my 3 girls.

[Bulldog4life]

Graeme "Pudden" Chalmers from Yarraville played 75 games in the #27 from 1962 to 1968. He booted 37 goals and played mainly on the wing and sometimes roved.
He retired at age 23 and became a pilot with the RAAF.

I met him at the Footscray hospital. His arm was in a cast while I had a broken nose. Memories.

[EasternWest]

I met him at the Footscray hospital. His arm was in a cast while I had a broken nose. Memories.

Were the two connected?

[Bulldog4life]

From 1957 to 1963 Bernie Lee played 95 games for us in the #29. He was a very good competitor and played full back in the '61 Finals campaign.

He came through the U/19s and played all his football in defence - either full back or on the back flank.

Mike Sheehan tells the story that he used to carry Bernie Lee's bag to the game regularly.

[Bulldog4life]

Were the two connected?

Ha ha. His was playing for the dogs mine was playing for North Footscray's junior team. We had a good yack. He was a local Yarraville/Spotty boy.

[Twodogs]

One of the best things about Tory Dickson's career with us is that Essendon were all set to take him but we snuck in and drafted him a couple of spots before they pulled the trigger. They always saw him as the one that got away.

[Twodogs]

I met him at the Footscray hospital. His arm was in a cast while I had a broken nose. Memories.


Were the two connected?

Yarraville nets conciliation session?

[EasternWest]

Yarraville nets conciliation session?

It's the only reasonable conclusion.


Ha ha. His was playing for the dogs mine was playing for North Footscray's junior team. We had a good yack. He was a local Yarraville/Spotty boy.

https://i.postimg.cc/RFfzzMcg/source.gif (https://postimages.org/)

[Twodogs]

It's the only reasonable conclusion.

You gotta watch out for those flying head butts.

[merantau]

Don McKenzie, ex-Spotswood, played 137 games for us between 1962 and 1970 and kicked 127 goals. He wore #39 in his first season but thereafter wore #30. He was a half forward flanker who kicked the ball beautifully - his best season tally coming in 1969 when he kicked 32 goals.
McKenzie played his last game in 1970 before leaving Footscray to coach Sunshine in the VFA. He experienced immediate success winning the 1971 Diviision 2 Premiership. In 1972 he won the J. J. Liston Trophy while captaining and coaching Sunshine in the Victorian Football Association's First Division. . During the 1978 VFL season he took over coaching duties at Footscray from Bill Goggin and remained coach until the end of 1979.

[Webby]

From '79 to '86 Neil Cordy played 139 games for us in the #29 mainly as a half back back flanker. He was an excellent mark and kick and he liked to get forward too. He went on to play for yhe Swans and racked up 235 games in total before embarking on a successful media career in Sydney. An excellent player for us. I was sorry to see him leave.

For whatever reason, Malthouse couldn’t stand Neil. A peculiar career for us. One of our top 4-5 performers from ‘82 to ‘84, then not even regularly selected in our ‘85-‘86 sides. Then off to Sydney to play great footy. A big miss by our club, IMO. Along with Fred Cook, the inexplicable number 29 that got away..

[merantau]

I worked with Neil for a while at Essendon Tech. He was a Phys Ed teacher there. Terrific bloke.

[merantau]

Between '71 and '81 Ross Abbey played 128 games and kicked 65 goals for us wearing the #30 - the same number as worn by his father Angus.
Ross was a well built half back/ruck rover who served us very well and who represented Victoria twice.

[merantau]

From '98 to '07 Mathew Robbins played 139 games for us as a small forward kicking 135 goals. He previously spent 3 years at Geelong for 7 games. He was an excellent pick up
Fast, strong tackling he could also mark well. In season 2006 he booted 45 goals.

[merantau]

So that brings us the the end of significant Bulldogs who've worn the numbers from #16 to #30.

So over to you. Who has been the best for each of these numbers since 1954? We'll start with #16. When we finish with #30, I'll then start looking at numbers 31 through 45.

[1eyedog]

So that brings us the the end of significant Bulldogs who've worn the numbers from #16 to #30.

So over to you. Who has been the best for each of these numbers since 1954? We'll start with #16. When we finish with #30, I'll then start looking at numbers 31 through 45.

No one will ever surpass the great Matthew Croft in the No. 16.

A ONE CLUB PLAYER who Played up forward one week and kicks 6 goals, plays down back the following and keeps Carey goaless.

[Twodogs]

No one will ever surpass the great Matthew Croft in the No. 16.

A ONE CLUB PLAYER who Played up forward one week and kicks 6 goals, plays down back the following and keeps Carey goaless.

Yep #16 has to be Jexy. I was born on the 16th day of the month so I've always taken note of the player wearing it and Matthew Croft has been the best 16 since the turn of the century.

Like you say he could practically win games at either end of the field even though he came to the club and played his early football as a winger.


Funny story. When one of my mates was at Highpoint with his 7 yo son he spotted Crotty at the Foodcourt. Matthew was his son's favourite player and he said "hey check it out. There's Matthew Croft!" His son said "don't be silly dad. That's not Matthew Croft. He's not wearing footy shorts"

[EasternWest]

So that brings us the the end of significant Bulldogs who've worn the numbers from #16 to #30.

So over to you. Who has been the best for each of these numbers since 1954? We'll start with #16. When we finish with #30, I'll then start looking at numbers 31 through 45.

Griffen.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Griffen.

I hear there's a queue forming down at the Yarraville nets, awaiting your arrival

[merantau]

Mathew Robbins - courage.

https://youtu.be/MeXFB7y6g1I

[merantau]

Mathew Robbins - big mark.

https://youtu.be/g3qjX0Qju3U

[EasternWest]

I hear there's a queue forming down at the Yarraville nets, awaiting your arrival

Good. There's some heads on here that could use a little panel beating.

[merantau]

Ok, looks like M. Croft gets the nod. Our best #17 ever is ...?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Ok, looks like M. Croft gets the nod. Our best #17 ever is ...?

Boyd's kicked a goal!! Boyd's kicked a goal!! F**k!!

Ok he gets the nod for one of the most important best-games ever. But there are probably others ahead of him. Nathan Brown or Cooney?

[Happy Days]

Boyd's kicked a goal!! Boyd's kicked a goal!! F**k!!

Ok he gets the nod for one of the most important best-games ever. But there are probably others ahead of him. Nathan Brown or Cooney?

Talk about an under-delivering number. Those are three of the most hyped players we've ever had and none of them even scratched what they should have achieved with us.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

These days it would be a selfie.

I remember Axe came over from Tassie, with his twin brother. His brother played reserves but never got a senior game.

One day we were playing a crucial match at Western Oval (as it was called then), and a mate came over and said Axe is out, I just saw him in his civvies. It turned out to be his twin.

He had great hands Axe. That '92 season he was brilliant and was right up there with Greg Williams.

I remember standing on the grandstand wing one day and someone behind me yelled out criticising Axe; when i looked around i had to do a double take. It was his his identical twin, Paul.

Yep Axe for mine.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

I'm going to break ranks here and feature someone who played only ONE game for us. He was the first - and as far as I know, the only - nuclear physicist to run out in our colours. John Reilly ran out in Round 1 1984. He came with a big reputation but his debut was rather underwhelming. I was there and witnessed each of his 4 kicks and four handballs. He was prematurely grey which surprised me at the time.

Here are some notes from Wikipedia.

Originally from Broadview, Riley made his SANFL debut in 1977 and by 1982 was North Adelaide captain. In 1982, he also won the club's 'fairest and most brilliant' award and took part in South Australia's interstate fixtures.

He was lured to the VFL in 1984 when Footscray signed him and made his first appearance in the opening round of the 1984 VFL season, with eight disposals in a win over Richmond.[4] However, he had not been granted a clearance by North Adelaide, and the club was successful in getting a Supreme Court injunction to prevent him playing more games at Footscray.[5]

Riley finished the season with North Adelaide and remained with the club until 1990, amassing 250 games. After playing in their 1985 and 1986 Grand Final losses, Riley was on the half back flank when they won the 1987 premiership decider. He was later named at the same position in the North Adelaide 'Team of the Century'.[6]

So, obviously he could play the game - he just didn't get to play it with us.

I heard a rumour that we gave him a car to run around in and that it was last seen heading out Ballarat Rd in the direction of Bordertown. I don't think the story is true though. Could be a simple misunderstanding.

I remember that game at the western oval. The grey hair certainly caught the eye.

[merantau]

Adam Cooney won a Brownlow and was a gun player. Nathan Brown was a favourite of Terry Wallace and left us in pursuit of a dollar.

Tom Boyd was instrumental in us winning the Premiership after a hiatus of 62 years. Sixty-two years! Let in sink in. He had to cope with intense media scrutiny, first as number 1 draft pick and then as the subject of a big tranfer deal which was forensically pulled apart by media scribes eager to put the boots in.

But Tom stood up to it all and faced them down. His performance during the Finals, particularly the last two, was epic and will never be forgotten. Tom Boyd - hero; and for me our greatest #17.

https://youtu.be/XksWfbV4Z4E

Tom Boyd GF Highlights.

https://youtu.be/mD0wVkKHt1E

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Mike Sheehan tells the story that he used to carry Bernie Lee's bag to the game regularly.

Mike tells the story that he went to the 61 grand final with his leg in a cast and that Bernie Lee and one other player carried him up to his seat.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

24. Demps - incredible achievements as you pointed out
25. Hargraves
26 DelRe
27 MacPherson
28 Dimma
29 Dickson
30. Robbo

[Twodogs]

Mike tells the story that he went to the 61 grand final with his leg in a cast and that Bernie Lee and one other player carried him up to his seat.

Yet he barracks for Melbourne. Despite the fact he's from Werribee.

He wrote the introduction to one of the Encyclopaedia of League Footballers and says he'd like to see one more entry:

'Sheahan, Michael, Foots-Melb, 1967-80 250 games, 116 goals.

So he'd have been happy to start with us but would have been out the door, probably at the first opportunity. If I'd been Bernie Lee and the other player I'd have left him at the gate in 1961. Loyalty comes at a price!

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Mike Sheahan delivered the Eulogy at Bernie Lee’s wife’s funeral in recent years. He also remains one of 5 WB Hall of Fame selectors so still retains close relations with our Club.

[EasternWest]

25. Hargraves

See you at the Yarraville nets, Hose.

[merantau]

We've had some very good footballers wear the #18. Simon Beasley is the standout followed by Leon Cameron. Any dissenters? Speak up now or forever hold your peace!

Best #19?

[Twodogs]

We've had some very good footballers wear the #18. Simon Beasley is the standout followed by Leon Cameron. Any dissenters? Speak up now or forever hold your peace!

Best #19?

Nope. Beasley kicked Huge bags of goals. Leon was good but Beazer was a force of nature.

The Pieman is the player you'd want having a shot at goal from 40-50 metres out to save your life.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

See you at the Yarraville nets, Hose.

Ok i'll join the queue..

Who tops Shaggy though EW?

[Happy Days]

Ok i'll join the queue..

Who tops Shaggy though EW?

Shaggy would be a problem at the Yarramatta nets. Just ask Heath Black.

[EasternWest]

Ok i'll join the queue..

Who tops Shaggy though EW?

Nobody, but his name is Hargrave.

I don't know why that one triggers me.

[Twodogs]

Shaggy would be a problem at the Yarramatta nets. Just ask Heath Black.

He's one guy that I wouldn't want any trouble with. Ryan Hargrave threw a punch with balance and timing better than most.

[merantau]

Best #19 anyone?

[bornadog]

Best #19 anyone?

I will go Merrington

[merantau]

I will go Merrington

I happened to see Chook at Marvel yesterday and had a yack with him about the old days at Totty Tech. He was a couple of years ahead of me. Great bloke. Grew up in Braybrook, played cricket for Druids and footy for Braybrook and was a damn good player for us and a good recruiting officer too.

[bornadog]

I happened to see Chook at Marvel yesterday and had a yack with him about the old days at Totty Tech. He was a couple of years ahead of me. Great bloke. Grew up in Braybrook, played cricket for Druids and footy for Braybrook and was a damn good player for us and a good recruiting officer too.

Nice coincidence

[merantau]

Yes, definitely Merro has been our best #19. Number 20 anyone?

[KT31]

Yes, definitely Merro has been our best #19. Number 20 anyone?

Loved Galaxy Coleman, but would have to give the chocolates to Jimmy Edmond with 154 games in the number 20.

[merantau]

Loved Galaxy Coleman, but would have to give the chocolates to Jimmy Edmond with 154 games in the number 20.

No argument from me re Jock at #20. Number 21 anyone?

[Twodogs]

He didn't play many games but I'm nominating Psycho Chicken Matty Dent for #21. Key player in a very good team and gave his all for the club.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

Kolyniuk played the first half of his career with #21 so i'll go with little Stevie. Plus he kicked THAT goal against the pies.

[bornadog]

Libba

[merantau]

I'll go Libba too. Steve Power was another great #21 but Libba is going to play 200 plus games and play in another Premiership. Number 22?

[bornadog]

I'll go Libba too. Steve Power was another great #21 but Libba is going to play 200 plus games and play in another Premiership. Number 22?

I never saw him play but it has to be Wally Donald.

[Mofra]

I never saw him play but it has to be Wally Donald.
Peter Quill will let this one go.

[bornadog]

Peter Quill will let this one go.

Only played 67 games at the club, compared to Wally with 205 games, Club Captain, premiership 1954

[Twodogs]

Ted Whitten Jr. He's one of the best kicks I've seen play with us. As soon as Ted got the ball Templeton would get on his bike and lead into space and Ted would hit him on the chest every time.

[merantau]

Yes, I think Wally Donald. I have a feeling he may have been just the third Bulldog, after Arthur Olliver and Alby Morrison, to play 200 games. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this. I saw him in 1956 and '57 play a few times alongside Herb Henderson. They were a great duo.

Other than Wally, Ted Whitten Jnr was an outstanding player who was forced out by injury at just 25 years old. He was destined to play 250 plus games. And so on to #23.

[Twodogs]

Yes, I think Wally Donald. I have a feeling he may have been just the third Bulldog, after Arthur Olliver and Alby Morrison, to play 200 games. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this. I saw him in 1956 and '57 play a few times alongside Herb Henderson. They were a great duo.

Other than Wally, Ted Whitten Jnr was an outstanding player who was forced out by injury at just 25 years old. He was destined to play 250 plus games. And so on to #23.

Norm Ware played 200 games exactly up to 1946.

[bornadog]

And so on to #23.

I will go Simon Atkins

[Twodogs]

I will go Simon Atkins

I'm going early with Latham Vandermeer

[boydogs]

Roughead was never outstanding for us but did risk blindness to help get us a flag. His mark from the JJ goal overturn kick-in sealed it for us

[EasternWest]

Roughead was never outstanding for us but did risk blindness to help get us a flag. His mark from the JJ goal overturn kick-in sealed it for us

Towering

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Yes, I think Wally Donald. I have a feeling he may have been just the third Bulldog, after Arthur Olliver and Alby Morrison, to play 200 games. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this. I saw him in 1956 and '57 play a few times alongside Herb Henderson. They were a great duo.

Other than Wally, Ted Whitten Jnr was an outstanding player who was forced out by injury at just 25 years old. He was destined to play 250 plus games. And so on to #23.
Very hard to go past Wally Donald, an outstanding Back pocket player, Vice Captain in our ‘54 Premiership, a member of the WB Team of the Century and Hall of Fame member. Was part of the best defence of its time as follows:
B. Donald Henderson Bryden
HB. Martin Whitten Gallagher.

[merantau]

Very hard to go past Wally Donald, an outstanding Back pocket player, Vice Captain in our ‘54 Premiership, a member of the WB Team of the Century and Hall of Fame member. Was part of the best defence of its time as follows:
B. Donald Henderson Bryden
HB. Martin Whitten Gallagher.

That was indeed a rock solid defence. In 1953 it only conceded 959 points - the lowest since the 12 team, 18 game fixture was inaugurated in 1925. In 1954 we finished the season in 2nd place and again had the most water tight defence conceding only 1095 points. The next best was Geelong, who finished first, and conceded 1225 points.

[merantau]

Best #23 for mine is Simon Atkins. Followed closely by Stuart Magee. And now on to #24.

[bornadog]

Best #23 for mine is Simon Atkins. Followed closely by Stuart Magee. And now on to #24.

Gary Dempsey - Brownlow, 6 times Sutton Medal, team of the century

[merantau]

Gary Dempsey - Brownlow, 6 times Sutton Medal, team of the century

Yes, absolutely. One of the best marks of all time, mobile and a great tap ruckman. Steve Wallis - another great player for us along with Premiership heroes - Jim Gallagher and # Never Forget - Shane Biggs aka "The Wall of Biggs" - still the finest concerted effort I've seen on the football field.

[merantau]

We've had some good #25s over the years.

[bornadog]

We've had some good #25s over the years.

Jeff Jennings just pipping Ryan Hargrave.

[Bulldog4life]

I happened to see Chook at Marvel yesterday and had a yack with him about the old days at Totty Tech. He was a couple of years ahead of me. Great bloke. Grew up in Braybrook, played cricket for Druids and footy for Braybrook and was a damn good player for us and a good recruiting officer too.

Then took his recruiting skills to West Coast.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Then took his recruiting skills to West Coast.

Biggest coup was his recruitment of Scott Wynd under North’s nose whilst he was playing with Jacana.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Hall of fame Herb Henderson and full back in our Team of the Century was a stand out in the No. 25.
Well known Sun football writer Alf Brown claimed that John Coleman the Essendon champion FF was the best player he had seen.
The only player capable of containing Coleman at his peak was Herb Henderson

[Twodogs]

That was indeed a rock solid defence. In 1953 it only conceded 959 points - the lowest since the 12 team, 18 game fixture was inaugurated in 1925. In 1954 we finished the season in 2nd place and again had the most water tight defence conceding only 1095 points. The next best was Geelong, who finished first, and conceded 1225 points.

It was also the defence that kept a team (Fitzroy) scoreless longest in a game ever. Fitzroy didn't score at all until time on in the last quarter. Even when st Kilda only scored 0.1 against Geelong St Kilda scored first.

Apparently Charlie Sutton blocked up one of the drains with a mop head during the week.

[merantau]

I think it was Alan "the Baron" Ruthven who soccered a goal late in the last quarter.

[merantau]

Best #25 for mine was Herb Henderson followed by John Jillard, Ryan Hargrave and Geoff Jennings.

[merantau]

Best #26 ? Two stand outs - Ray Walker and Danny Del Re.

[bornadog]

Best #26 ? Two stand outs - Ray Walker and Danny Del Re.

I will go with Ray as he won a B&F and better overall career.

[merantau]

I will go with Ray as he won a B&F and better overall career.

Yes, agree. Winning a B&F is no mean feat. Best 27? We've had a few stand outs.

[bornadog]

Yes, agree. Winning a B&F is no mean feat. Best 27? We've had a few stand outs.

I was a big fan of Super.

[merantau]

I was a big fan of Super.

I said we had a few standout 27s but the reality shows just two - Super and Big Wilbur. Very hard to split them but I'll go for Super too - just.

[merantau]

There are a few candidates for our best ever #28. Doug Reynolds, Charlie Evans, Noel Fincher, Ian Low, Paul Dimattina, Scott Welsh, Barry Hall.

[Twodogs]

There are a few candidates for our best ever #28. Doug Reynolds, Charlie Evans, Noel Fincher, Ian Low, Paul Dimattina, Scott Welsh, Barry Hall.

Ijlia Grgic started out in #28 too.

[bornadog]

Ijlia Grgic started out in #28 too.

Who is the best 28?

[merantau]

Who is the best 28?

I'm going to go for Dimma.

[bornadog]

I'm going to go for Dimma.

Yeah, I liked Dimma

[merantau]

Barry Hall was excellent for us and I would have liked him to play on for another season.

So on to #29. Who gets the nod?

[bornadog]

Can we have some more posters contributing.

Merantau has done an amazing job here.

[Twodogs]

Barry Hall was excellent for us and I would have liked him to play on for another season.

So on to #29. Who gets the nod?

If you aren't counting Chris Grant then it's Neil Cordy for mine. Very good player on the wing or across halfback. Good mark, used the ball well, could run down the field and become a goal kicking option. He was a very underrated player.

[Bulldog4life]

There are a few candidates for our best ever #28. Doug Reynolds, Charlie Evans, Noel Fincher, Ian Low, Paul Dimattina, Scott Welsh, Barry Hall.

Charlie Evans for me. I had his number on my jumper as a kid. Terrific back pocket player who represented the Vics but seemed to lose form quickly and went to South.

[Mofra]

Charlie Evans for me. I had his number on my jumper as a kid. Terrific back pocket player who represented the Vics but seemed to lose form quickly and went to South.
What era was he playing?

[Bulldog4life]

What era was he playing?

60's Mofra.

[merantau]

Charlie Evans for me. I had his number on my jumper as a kid. Terrific back pocket player who represented the Vics but seemed to lose form quickly and went to South.

I think Charlie may have developed eyesight problems which played a role in his early retirement.

[Bulldog4life]

I think Charlie may have developed eyesight problems which played a role in his early retirement.

Thanks Merantau. He was such a good tackler. He said at the time he always tackled at the hips. Countered a number of players trying to baulk him. I remember he did wear glasses off the field.

[merantau]

Neil Cordy was a very good player no doubt but for me it has to be Tory Dickson. I will be first to admit that I was singularly unimpressed recruiting a 25? year old who'd been plying his trade uphill and down dale for half a dozen years. How wrong was I? He turned out to be an absolute gun and it was very unfortunate that injuries post-2016 reared their ugly head.

[bornadog]

Neil Cordy was a very good player no doubt but for me it has to be Tory Dickson. I will be first to admit that I was singularly unimpressed recruiting a 25? year old who'd been plying his trade uphill and down dale for half a dozen years. How wrong was I? He turned out to be an absolute gun and it was very unfortunate that injuries post-2016 reared their ugly head.

Agree - one of the most accurate shots for goal in AFL history.

[merantau]

#30 is a tricky one. We've got three candidates - Don McKenzie, Ross Abbey and Mathew Robbins. All played a similar number of games. Don coached us. Ross played for Victoria. Hard to pick a stand out for me.

[comrade]

Looking forward to 32.

[1eyedog]

Looking forward to 32.

As opposed to Peter Street at 31?

[merantau]

I will now begin on the numberd 31 - 40 starting tomorrow.

[bornadog]

#30 is a tricky one. We've got three candidates - Don McKenzie, Ross Abbey and Mathew Robbins. All played a similar number of games. Don coached us. Ross played for Victoria. Hard to pick a stand out for me.

Matty Robins because he kicked more goals than the other two.

Will you do a summary of 1 to 30 at some stage?

[merantau]

Our first #31 of note was Barry Smith who played from 1960 to 1965 - 6 years, 78 games. He was a wingman who had heaps of pace and was very elusive. It was easier to tackle dust than get a hand on Barry.

[merantau]

Matty Robins because he kicked more goals than the other two.

Will you do a summary of 1 to 30 at some stage?

So here is a summary of what we have so far. I'll start with #1 thru #10
#1 Andrew Purser, #2 Bob Murphy, #3 Ted Whitten, #4 Marcus Bontempelli, #5 Matthew Boyd, #6 Brad Johnson, #7 Doug Hawkins, #8 Rick Kennedy, #9 Laurie Sandilands , #10 Easton Wood.

[Bulldog4life]

Our first #31 of note was Barry Smith who played from 1960 to 1965 - 6 years, 78 games. He was a wingman who had heaps of pace and was very elusive. It was easier to tackle dust than get a hand on Barry.

With Alex "the racehorse" Gardiner on the other wing and Bobby Spargo in the centre we certainly had a speedy centre line.

[Happy Days]

So its a choice between James Mulligan and Tom Young?

[1eyedog]

Our first #31 of note was Barry Smith who played from 1960 to 1965 - 6 years, 78 games. He was a wingman who had heaps of pace and was very elusive. It was easier to tackle dust than get a hand on Barry.

Probably should just blow the siren and award the honours to KT before TwoDogs sends an invite to the Yarraville nets.

[Mofra]

Probably should just blow the siren and award the honours to KT before TwoDogs sends an invite to the Yarraville nets.
Wasn't he a Melbourne player?

*Ducks*

[merantau]

So, best #11 - Jack Macrae. #12 Greg Epplestun #13 Gia # 14 John Schultz #15 Scott Wynd #16 I think Matthew Croft but there's a bit of support for Ryan Griffen. #17 I think Tom Boyd but others think Adam Cooney. #18 - Simon Beasley #19 Gary Merrington. #20 Jim Edmond

[merantau]

Best #21 Tom Liberatore # 22 Wally Donald. #23 Simon Atkins. #24 Gary Dempsey. #25 Herb Henderson. #26 Ray Walker. #27 Stephen McPherson.# 29 Tory Dickson. #30 Matthew Robbins.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

So, best #11 - Jack Macrae. #12 Greg Epplestun #13 Gia # 14 John Schultz #15 Scott Wynd #16 I think Matthew Croft but there's a bit of support for Ryan Griffen. #17 I think Tom Boyd but others think Adam Cooney. #18 - Simon Beasley #19 Gary Merrington. #20 Jim Edmond

Sad to think that Griffen Cooney and Edmond whilst being nominated were happy to finish their careers at other Clubs

[bornadog]

Sad to think that Griffen Cooney and Edmond whilst being nominated were happy to finish their careers at other Clubs

and Gary Dempsey

[merantau]

and Gary Dempsey

Yes, I must say, I also feel that these days, with players being well paid, a player's career is diminished if they choose to leave and play elsewhere.

[merantau]

From 1974–1982 Kelvin Templeton played 143 games for us and kicked 494 goals. In 1983–1985 he played for Melbourne 34 times and kicked 99 goals. Total 177 games for 593 goals.

He kicked 100 goals for Traralgon as a 16 yr old! So he could play a bit!
The following notes are from Wikipedia.

"Career highlights

Brownlow Medal: 1980. Footscray captain: 1982. 2×*!Charles Sutton Medal: 1978, 1980. 2×*!Coleman Medal: 1978, 1979. 5×*!Footscray leading goalkicker: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980. Melbourne leading goalkicker: 1984. Victorian*!state representative 1978, 1980

Sources:*!AFL Tables,*!AustralianFootball.com

Footscray, within whose*!country zone*!Traralgon*!was located, eyed Templeton continuously from that point, and he joined the club for the*!1974 season*!at a time when the club had been desperately short of matchwinning goalkickers ever since*!Jack Collins*!retired in the 1950s. His debut against*!Collingwood*!was a sensation, for Templeton kicked six goals at full-forward.[1]*!However, it was felt Templeton was too skinny at around 81.5 kilograms (180*!lb), and it was only when he did major weight training that he really began to excel. In 1976 Templeton kicked 82 goals, with a best of seven against*!South Melbourne.

After an injury-ruined 1977, Templeton came back to head the goalkicking table for*!1978*!with 118, including a career-best performance of 15 goals against*!St Kilda*!on 1 July.[2]*!During this match Templeton set a record of 24 scoring shots (15 goals, nine behinds).[3]*!Footscray kicked a then-record score of 33 goals fifteen behinds (213 points) in this match and his combined total with*!Ian Dunstan*!of 22 goals is a record for two players on one side in a VFL/AFL match. Despite this phenomenal feat, Footscray finished eleventh of twelve teams with only six other wins for the year.

Templeton was the league's*!leading goalkicker*!for the second consecutive year but after an appalling start to the 1980 season with eleven consecutive losses coach*!Royce Hart*!moved Templeton to*!centre half-forward*!in order to bring him closer to the action.[4]*!The move worked so well that Templeton became the first forward to win the*!Brownlow Medal*!and still kicked over seventy goals.

In 1981, however, Templeton could play only six games due to a serious knee injury, and nagging injuries reduced his effectiveness during his last year with Footscray in 1982.*!Melbourne*!bought Templeton as part of a buying spree for*!1983*!but the injuries did not abate and he played only 34 games for the Demons before announcing his retirement in April 1986.

Later, he would become the*!CEO*!of the*!Sydney Swans*!as they started to become a power in the*!Australian Football League."

Kelvin was a marvellous player. He had strong hands, agile and quick on the lead and regularly kicked booming torpedo punts from 60 plus metres out. Great skills.

[merantau]

Kelvin Templeton kicks 15 goals 9 against St Kilda.

https://youtu.be/ndV9_psfy0w

[merantau]

From '98 to '03 Mark Alvey played 45 games and kicked 28 goals in the #31. He then went to Essendon for a couple of years. He was a good player but was competing with a lot of good midfielders for a spot in the team.

[merantau]

Peter Street played at Geelong from 2001 – 2003 for 17 games and 3 goals. From 2004 – 2008 he was with us for 61 games and 13 goals.Total 78 games and16 goals.

At 6'11" he was well equipped to play in the ruck.

[merantau]

Bailey Dale debuted in 2015 in the #31 and has now played 65 games and kicked 64 goals. Highly skilled it looks like he's finally found his mojo as an attacking half back.

[merantau]

Harvey Stevens joined us from Collingwood in 1953 and promptly won our B&F. He wore #32. He was a solid ruckman not averse to kicking a goal. He played in Collingwood's 1952 GF team and our 1954 Premiership. He captained us in 1957. His father Arthur " Chidda " Stevens played for us.

Stevens started his career in 1948 at Collingwood before being released by the club during the summer.

His career:

1948–1952 Collingwood 54 games 56 goals
1953–1957 Footscray 72 games 71goals
Total 126 games 127 goals.

Stevens died on 14 December 2016, aged 86. I bet he enjoyed Oct 1, 2016. Valè Harvey.

[1eyedog]

Wasn't he a Melbourne player?

*Ducks*

Nothing in my life after the transfer broke my heart more.

[comrade]

Jarrod Boumann 4 lyfe

[Mofra]

Best #21 Tom Liberatore # 22 Wally Donald. #23 Simon Atkins. #24 Gary Dempsey. #25 Herb Henderson. #26 Ray Walker. #27 Stephen McPherson.# 29 Tory Dickson. #30 Matthew Robbins.
28? Dimma?

[merantau]

There is a very comprehensive bio of Arthur "Chidda" Stevens on Wickipedia. Here's the link.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Stevens_(Australian_footballer)

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Harvey Stevens joined us from Collingwood in 1953 and promptly won our B&F. He wore #32. He was a solid ruckman not averse to kicking a goal. He played in Collingwood's 1952 GF team and our 1954 Premiership. He captained us in 1957. His father Arthur " Chidda " Stevens played for us.

Stevens started his career in 1948 at Collingwood before being released by the club during the summer.

His career:

1948–1952 Collingwood 54 games 56 goals
1953–1957 Footscray 72 games 71goals
Total 126 games 127 goals.

Stevens died on 14 December 2016, aged 86. I bet he enjoyed Oct 1, 2016. Valè Harvey.

Harvey and the fellow surviving members from our ‘54 Flag were all given special invites by the AFL to attend our 2016 Flag win.

[merantau]

28? Dimma?

Yes, of course. My bad. Thanks for the heads up.

[bornadog]

Yes, of course. My bad. Thanks for the heads up.

Got to go with KT for #31

[merantau]

Yes, absolutely.

[merantau]

From '62 to '65 John Reilly played 39 games at Carlton before crossing to us. He played 55 games in the ruck between '66 and '69 wearing #32.
In 1970 he returned to South Fremantle and played in a Premiership.

[merantau]

From '73 - '82 Ian Dunston played 172 games and kicked 135 goals as a ruck rover. He won 3 B&Fs with us and booted 7 goals on the day KT kicked 15. He was a prolific ball winner.
We sold him to North but injury meant he missed his entire first year with them and the next year saw him play only six games.
He played VFA at Werribee and was coach at Sunshine in 1989 when they were de-registered mid season.

[merantau]

From '83 to '93 Peter Foster played 163 games in the #32 and kicked 56 goals. In 3 seasons at Fitzroy he played just 7 games and kicked 2 goals as a CHF.

He had played only four games with us when in 1984, after a drubbing by Melbourne, Mick Malthouse decided to try him at centre half-back and h never looked back. He was a swing man too and was sometimes thrown forward: he still knew how to kick a goal

Foster finished equal 5th in the 1988 Brownlow Medal and won Footscray's best and fairest award in 1990.

He was a terrific player for us. A great pack mark, strong in the contest and a booming left foot kick. I met him a few years ago in the Fish and Chip shop in Kangaroo Flat and thanked for his efforts over the years - a real good bloke.

[merantau]

Not sure if you get a glimpsie of "Fossie" in this clip but there was some bloody good players in this 1985 side.

https://youtu.be/l5MaMnNtw7Q

But you'll definitely see "Fossie" in this clip.

https://youtu.be/N7KKKcG9urQ

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

From '83 to '93 Peter Foster played 163 games in the #32 and kicked 56 goals. In 3 seasons at Fitzroy he played just 7 games and kicked 2 goals as a CHF.

He had played only four games with us when in 1984, after a drubbing by Melbourne, Mick Malthouse decided to try him at centre half-back and h never looked back. He was a swing man too and was sometimes thrown forward: he still knew how to kick a goal

Foster finished equal 5th in the 1988 Brownlow Medal and won Footscray's best and fairest award in 1990.

He was a terrific player for us. A great pack mark, strong in the contest and a booming left foot kick. I met him a few years ago in the Fish and Chip shop in Kangaroo Flat and thanked for his efforts over the years - a real good bloke.

Together with Luke Hodge and Aaron Finch, Peter Foster hailed from Colac and was a terrific player for the WB and was equally at home at CHB or CHF. Hard to believe we were able to secure his services after just a handful of games at Fitzroy. Fossie was a worthy B &F winner for our Club.

[merantau]

In 1994 Craig Ellis debuted in the #32. He was with us for 8 years and 107 games. In 2002 he went to Melbourne for a season where he played 15 games before retiring.

I thought he was one of those players who looked like he could have been anything. He certainly had all the attributes and he did play some very good games for us. But he plateaued at a level below what most thought he was capable of. Harsh? Maybe, but I thought he was going to be a star.

[merantau]

From '63 to '69 Ivan March played 77 games in the #33. Another product of the remarkable Braybrook Football Club Ivan was a 6'1" ruckman who tipped the scales at 84kg. He kicked 33 goals - a good, honest footballer who always put in.

[merantau]

From '75 to '81 John Reid played 78 games for us in the #33. He came to us from Melbourne and after finishing with us he went to Sydney for 2 years.
These notes courtesy of Wikipedia.

Reid had a slow start to his career, after appearing just once in the 1972 VFL season, he did not play a senior game in 1973 and was used just twice in 1974.

In 1975 he moved to Footscray, the club that his father Bruce Reid senior had played for. A defender, he played just one game in each of his first two seasons.

At the age of 24 he finally put together a sequence of appearances when he played in all but one fixture from round 10 of the 1977 season. He was joined at Footscray by his brother, Bruce Reid junior, in 1977.

For the next four years he was a regular member of the side.

Reid joined the Sydney Swans in 1982, for their first league season after relocating. His contribution to the club as a player was minimal, but he later served the Swans as a reserves coach and football manager.

He is the uncle of Collingwood premiership player Ben Reid and Sydney Swans premiership player Sam Reid.

[merantau]

From 1983 to1993 Brian Royal played 199 games in the #33 and kicked 299 goals. A pure rover he was quick to establish himself in the side. He was fast, tenacious and skilled on both sides of his body.

Notes from Wikipedia.

In his first year for the Bulldogs, Royal won the Charles Sutton Medal, the Club's Best and Fairest award and went on to have an extremely distinguished career. Royal represented his state on seven occasions and was an All-Australian representative. His career came to an abrupt end on 199 games and 299 goals due to a ruptured Achilles tendon against Essendon late in the 1993 season.

Royal went on to enjoy a long career in coaching at AFL level, as a highly regarded assistant coach at several clubs, including Melbourne, St Kilda, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs – the last two with Terry Wallace as senior coach.

Brian Royal was a terrific player for us.

[merantau]

Aaron Naughton debuted in 2018 in the #33 and has now played 60 games and kicked 65 goals. The sky is no limit for Astro - he can launch beyond that

[merantau]

Aaron Naughton will play 250 plus games for us - minimum. You heard it first here!

[bornadog]

Aaron Naughton will play 250 plus games for us - minimum. You heard it first here!

Early days but at this stage Brian is the #33

[merantau]

Our first #34 of note was Brian Gilmore a 6'4" ruckman/fwd pocket in our 1954 Premiership team. Between '52 and '58 he played 105 games and kicked 61 goals.

Originally from Yarraville he was tragically killed in a car accident near Wangaratta in November 1959 aged just 26.

Brian had the ball in his hands when the siren sounded to herald our 1954 triumph.

[KT31]

Our first #34 of note was Brian Gilmore a 6'4" ruckman/fwd pocket in our 1954 Premiership team.

Ball in his hands when the siren sounded in “54.

[Twodogs]

From '83 to '93 Peter Foster played 163 games in the #32 and kicked 56 goals. In 3 seasons at Fitzroy he played just 7 games and kicked 2 goals as a CHF.

He had played only four games with us when in 1984, after a drubbing by Melbourne, Mick Malthouse decided to try him at centre half-back and h never looked back. He was a swing man too and was sometimes thrown forward: he still knew how to kick a goal

Foster finished equal 5th in the 1988 Brownlow Medal and won Footscray's best and fairest award in 1990.

He was a terrific player for us. A great pack mark, strong in the contest and a booming left foot kick. I met him a few years ago in the Fish and Chip shop in Kangaroo Flat and thanked for his efforts over the years - a real good bloke.

Back in the days of cash transfers we bought a player (huge back pocket) called Chris Hansen from Fitzroy over the summer of 82/83 for $70 000. Shane O Sullivan who did the deal asked if they had a key forward type and the Fitzroy administrator said "if you make it $100 000 (ie $30 000 more) we will through in a young bloke we've got called Peter Foster" One of the best, if not the best, bits of transfer business we've ever done.

Peter Foster played at CHF and CHB in State of Origin football for Victoria. I am pretty sure that the only other player to play in both positions for Victoria was Laurie Nash, that's pretty good company Fozzie is keeping. His broken leg in 1993 cost us a premiership. He is the best centre half back I've seen play for us.

[Twodogs]

Early days but at this stage Brian is the #33

I agree. Naughton may go past him but Royal was a superstar. He was a better player than Adam Cooney.

[merantau]

Back in the days of cash transfers we bought a player (huge back pocket) called Chris Hansen from Fitzroy over the summer of 82/83 for $70 000. Shane O Sullivan who did the deal asked if they had a key forward type and the Fitzroy administrator said "if you make it $100 000 (ie $30 000 more) we will through in a young bloke we've got called Peter Foster" One of the best, if not the best, bits of transfer business we've ever done.

Peter Foster played at CHF and CHB in State of Origin football for Victoria. I am pretty sure that the only other player to play in both positions for Victoria was Laurie Nash, that's pretty good company Fozzie is keeping. His broken leg in 1993 cost us a premiership. He is the best centre half back I've seen play for us.

Fossie - they threw him is as the steak knives but he turned out to be the whole canteen of cutlery.

Great player.

[bornadog]

His broken leg in 1993 cost us a premiership. He is the best centre half back I've seen play for us.

1992.

That was a dirty act by Hawthorn's Dear

[Twodogs]

1992.

That was a dirty act by Hawthorn's Dear

You're right it was too. I bought an old AFL yearbook at an op shop couple of weeks ago and even though it says that it is about 1992 all the information in it is about 1991so I'm blaming that.

[merantau]

From 1964 to 1966 Algy Vosilaitis played 28 games for us and kicked 14 goals. He played full forward or half forward flank. Not a long career but I'm pretty sure he was the first player of Lithuanian background to play in the VFL. He wore #34.

[merantau]

From '79 to '84 Michael McKenna played 80 games for us in the #34 and kicked 45 goals. He was a rover/ midfielder. An in and under type who gave us good service. He went to Richmond for a year and played 22 games with them.

[Grantysghost]

From '79 to '84 Michael McKenna played 80 games for us in the #34 and kicked 45 goals. He was a rover/ midfielder. An in and under type who gave us good service. He went to Richmond for a year and played 22 games with them.

Did he wear a helmet at some point ? I remember him well was part of my first Bulldogs team.

[bornadog]

Did he wear a helmet at some point ? I remember him well was part of my first Bulldogs team.

Yes he did

[jazzadogs]

Early days but at this stage Brian is the #33

Not super relevant but one of my early footy jumpers was a #33 match worn guernsey of Ryan Hargrave's, which my mum bought at a charity event. I think I got it around the end of 2001 or 2002, and was so excited to wear it...only for Shaggy to change to the #25 that off season and leave me wandering around in Brad Murphy's number for the next four years. What a disaster.

[merantau]

Not super relevant but one of my early footy jumpers was a #33 match worn guernsey of Ryan Hargrave's, which my mum bought at a charity event. I think I got it around the end of 2001 or 2002, and was so excited to wear it...only for Shaggy to change to the #25 that off season and leave me wandering around in Brad Murphy's number for the next four years. What a disaster.

Whatever happened to Brad Murphy? 25 possessions and 2 goals in his first game and then disappeared off the radar a season later.

[merantau]

From '91 to '95 Ben Sexton played 39 games and kicked 32 goals in the #34. A good sized KPF he played some good games and looked as if he would forge a long career. He booted 5 on debut. But it didn't eventuate. He went to Carlton for a year, and played 4 games, before he left the AFL and returned to his original club, Sandhurst in the Bendigo League, where he played in a Premiership in 2004.

[merantau]

Starting in '03, Wayde Skipper played six seasons in the #34 for 45 games. A tall, mobile ruckman he suffered a very serious injury and it was a great credit to him that he got back on the field.

He was the victim of an outrageous umpiring decision which gifted Melbourne's Jeff White a goal and cost us a Top 8 finish.

Wayde went to Hawthorn for a season. Then played in a Premiership at Port Melbourne in 2011.
Since then he has been playing with Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook Football Clubs.

[merantau]

Here is the Academy Award performance by Jeff White.

https://youtu.be/ExtB9JlLPR8

Look at it frame by frame and consider the following. First the umpire calls "Push in the back!" Totally wrong! Next, Skipper does not take his eyes off the ball. Third, White changes direction and runs at Skipper from the side. Skipper puts his left arm out and White does a Swan Dive and the umpire falls for it hook, line and sinker. Come in spinner!

But realistically, in the lead up, Adam Cooney played that like a complete novice and gifted Melbourne a stoppge in a very dangerous area at a critical moment in the game. UNFORGIVABLE.

[bornadog]

Here is the Academy Award performance by Jeff White.

https://youtu.be/ExtB9JlLPR8

Look at it frame by frame and consider the following. First the umpire calls "Push in the back!" Totally wrong! Next, Skipper does not take his eyes off the ball. Third, White changes direction and runs at Skipper from the side. Skipper puts his left arm out and White does a Swan Dive and the umpire falls for it hook, line and sinker. Come in spinner!

But realistically, in the lead up, Adam Cooney played that like a complete novice and gifted Melbourne a stoppage in a very dangerous area at a critical moment in the game. UNFORGIVABLE.

I was at that game and so disappointed. Looking at the vision again, you can't blame the umpire for what he saw and Jeff White milked it, but as you say, Cooney should have done better. He should have kicked that ball a mile up the ground.

[Twodogs]

Whatever happened to Brad Murphy? 25 possessions and 2 goals in his first game and then disappeared off the radar a season later.

Ended up playing with Melton and becoming a spokesman for foster children. He had a pretty ordinary childhood both his birth parents were drug addicts, his dad was in Pentridge most of his life and he had no real relationship with him and his mum was always off her guts on drugs and ended up abandoning Brad and going to WA when he was very young. He tells a story about her picking him up one day from his foster carers, driving to a petrol station and ODing with him in the car.

He went from foster carer to foster carer until he was officially adopted at the age of 18. He has said that he felt like he didn't really belong anywhere when he was growing up.

[Twodogs]

From '91 to '95 Ben Sexton played 39 games and kicked 32 goals in the #34. A good sized KPF he played some good games and looked as if he would forge a long career. He booted 5 on debut. But it didn't eventuate. He went to Carlton for a year, and played 4 games, before he left the AFL and returned to his original club, Sandhurst in the Bendigo League, where he played in a Premiership in 2004.

We swapped him for James Cook. I worked with a Carlton supporter who was so annoyed that they had transferred Cook that he sent his cut up membership back.

Funny story about this guy. He said to me one day that he'd played league footy with Fitzroy in the early '70s. That night I looked hm up in the Encyclopaedia of League Footballers where he did indeed have a listing but as a Footscray player! The next day at work I said to him "I looked your record up last night. Are you sure it was Fitzroy you played with?" He said he was positive and that even though he only played 3 games that he was well aware which club it was with. I said "well according to the Encyclopaedia of League Footballers you played with Footscray" he looked at me and you could almost see the lightbulb light up his brain. He said "Who did Ted Whitten play for?" "It was Footscray Ken." Oh well then, yeah. I played with Footscray!"

[merantau]

Ended up playing with Melton and becoming a spokesman for foster children. He had a pretty ordinary childhood both his birth parents were drug addicts, his dad was in Pentridge most of his life and he had no real relationship with him and his mum was always off her guts on drugs and ended up abandoning Brad and going to WA when he was very young. He tells a story about her picking him up one day from his foster carers, driving to a petrol station and ODing with him in the car.

He went from foster carer to foster carer until he was officially adopted at the age of 18. He has said that he felt like he didn't really belong anywhere when he was growing up.

That is heart breaking but what a great person to come out 5he other side of that. Kudos to the foster parents who stepped up and to Brad for continuing on that legacy.

[merantau]

I was at that game and so disappointed. Looking at the vision again, you can't blame the umpire for what he saw and Jeff White milked it, but as you say, Cooney should have done better. He should have kicked that ball a mile up the ground.

Yeah, I was there too. It looked bad a very bad decision at the time and with the benefit of the replay it looks deplorable.

Another example of a a star player being given therub of the green by the umpires.

[merantau]

Debuting in 2016 Bailey Wiĺliams has become a fixture at half back. His reading of the game, his pace, his cool head, his dare, his all round defensive and attacking skills single him out as one of the games up-and-coming stars. He has now played 64 games in the #34.

[merantau]

By the time this thread is finished I think 300 plus players will have got a mention.

At the conclusion, I am going to select my Top 100 Bulldogs between 1954 and the present day.

[bornadog]

Debuting in 2016 Bailey Wiĺliams has become a fixture at half back. His reading of the game, his pace, his cool head, his dare, his all round defensive and attacking skills single him out as one of the games up-and-coming stars. He has now played 64 games in the #34.

Truck is heading for the best #34

[merantau]

Debuting in 1974 in the #35, Terry Wheeler amassed 157 games in a 10 year career. He was an excellent player for us and he played his heart out for the Club. "Wheels" never left anything in the change rooms. He played the game hard and supporters loved his crash through style out of defensive half.

The following notes from Wikipedia do not really do justice to the enormous contribution he made to the Club during, and in the few years after the Club thwarted the AFL's grand plan to erase us from football history. He was an inspiring and innovative coach who was passionate in his desire to win and bring success to the Club he loved.

Notes from Wikipedia
"Wheeler played as a defender during his 157-game career for Footscray from 1974 to 1983.

The following season he joined VFA club Williamstown as captain-coach. In five seasons with Williamstown, Wheeler played 94 games, and he led the club to a premiership in 1986 and to Grand Finals in 1985 and 1988. His presence, coupled with that of enthusiastic president Tony Hannebery, was considered critical to attracting big-name players like Barry Round and Tony Pastore to Williamstown, and to the revival of the club during the 1980s after an indifferent decade during the 1970s.

He was appointed to the position of assistant coach to Mick Malthouse at Footscray in 1989. Malthouse left shortly after the season, and shortly before merger between Footscray and Fitzroy to form the Fitzroy Bulldogs was announced. Footscray supporters began to fight the merger in court, and on 8 October, Wheeler was appointed senior coach of Footscray for 1990, even though it was not certain there would be a team for him to coach] He was active in the campaign against the merger, which was ultimately defeated on 23 October when the supporters raised enough money and sponsorship to make the club viable.

With twelve wins in 1990 he took Footscray close to a finals spot in his first year at the helm. In 1992 they finished second after the home-and-away season, only missing out on the minor premiership by percentage. They however failed to make the premiership decider after losing in the preliminary final to Geelong, but Wheeler was named as coach of the All-Australian Team. He was sacked after just two rounds of the 1994 season following an 88-point loss to Geelong.

[bornadog]

Debuting in 1974 in the #35, Terry Wheeler amassed 157 games in a 10 year career. He was an excellent player for us and he played his heart out for the Club. "Wheels" never left anything in the change rooms. He played the game hard and supporters loved his crash through style out of defensive half.

How many weeks in a row did he confront the tribunal.............. as a witness :D

[merantau]

How many weeks in a row did he confront the tribunal.............. as a witness :D

He attracted a lot of unwanted attention.

[merantau]

From '84 to '92 Darren Baxter, son of Ray, played 129 games in the #35. He was an excellent utility who fulfilled a number of roles over the years. Initially and run-with player he developed into a fine ruck rover and prolific kick winner. We traded him to Hawthorn where he played another 27 games in two seasons.

[merantau]

Beginning in 1992 in the #46 Steve Kretiuk took over #35 the following season. He had a 12 years 170 career with us and was a much loved player. He gave no quarter and asked for none in return. What you saw was what you got. A hard tackling, take no prisioners, defender who made you earn every kick.
He would have been a 200 game player if not for recurring hamstring injuries. Definitely a Bulldog favourite. He often conceded size to his opponents but "it's not the size of the dog in the ... "

This is a great tribute to Steve from the Club website. Western Suburbs thru and thru.


Whatever happend to: Steven Kretiuk?… https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/20758/whatever-happend-to-steven-kretiuk