Western Bulldogs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search


Western Bulldogs
Names
Full name Western Bulldogs Football Club
Nickname(s) Doggies, Bullies, Dogs
Season 2008
Top Goalkicker Brad Johnson (50)
Best & Fairest Daniel Cross
Club Details
Founded 1877
Colours      Red,      White and      Blue
Competition Australian Football League
Chairman David Smorgon
Coach Rodney Eade
Captain(s) Brad Johnson
Ground(s) Whitten Oval (25,000)
Other information
Official website www.westernbulldogs.com.au

The Western Bulldogs, formerly the Footscray Football Club, is an Australian Football League (AFL) club based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner western suburb of Melbourne. The club draws its supporter base from this traditionally working class area and plays its home matches at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne Docklands, also in the city's inner west.

Historically one of the league's less successful clubs, both in terms of on-field success and off-field resources, the club has taken significant steps to all but eliminate this stigma. The club has had stable sponsorship and consistently strengthening membership figures (28,725 members in 2007). The Whitten Oval is also undergoing a $20m redevelopment[1] - set to make its headquarters and training facility among the best in the league.

The club is finding increasing popularity within the football community for its highly skillful and attacking style of play - a style that saw it reach the 2006 semi-finals and the 2008 preliminary-finals.

Contents

[edit] Club History

The E.J. Whitten Stand

Footscray was relatively late in joining the Victorian Football League (VFL), the predecessor of the AFL. It did so in 1925 as the "Footscray Football Club", at the same time as Hawthorn and North Melbourne, all three coming from the Victorian Football Association (VFA).

Footscray, also known as the Prince Imperials from 1880-1882, played in the junior division of the VFA before joining the senior division of the VFA in 1886. Following the famed break away of 1896, during which the stronger VFA clubs formed the VFL, the tricolours (as they were known during this period) became a force in the VFA. The club went on to win 9 premierships between 1898 and 1924. This included a hattrick from 1898 to 1900 and four premierships between 1919 and 1924. The 1924 premiership would be Footscray's last in the VFA. The club played against the then premiers of the VFL, Essendon, to be proclaimed the "champion of Victoria". In what was an upset win, amongst rumours of bribes to the Essendon players to "play dead", Footscray won the match comfortably and this ushered in an invitation to join the VFL the following season[2].

The club is finding increasing popularity within the football community for its highly skillful and attacking style of play - a style that saw it reach the 2006 semi-finals and the 2008 preliminary-finals.


E.J Whitten statue which stands outside of the Whitten Oval

[edit] VFL

Footscray adapted relatively quickly to the standard of VFL football despite losing some of their VFA stars, and by 1928 were already a contender for the finals, missing only on percentage in 1931. Though they slipped to eleventh in 1930, 1935 and 1937, the following year they became the first of the new clubs to reach the finals. They fell back drastically in 1939, but during the war-torn 1940s were more consistent than ever, winning their first nine games in 1946.

[edit] 1950s and EJ

In this period, Footscray failed to win in finals, losing six first semis between 1938 and 1951. In 1953, however, they set a record of conceding only 959 points in the home-and-away games due to a powerful defence featuring Wally Donald, Herb Henderson and Jim Gallagher. They finally won the first semi against Essendon, and the following year took out their only premiership so far, beating Geelong and then Melbourne in the 1954 VFL Grand Final

This success was in no small part due to two champions of the club - Charlie Sutton the wily and tough captain-coach at the time, and Ted Whitten snr., otherwise known as 'E.J.' or 'Mr Football', one of Australian Rules' best ever players. Charlie claims to have invented the modern play-on style of football - run, handball, run, kick. Teddy Whitten has been the source of more arguments than any other on who is the greatest player to grace the fields of Australian rules football. Whitten was also famous for his inventive and lightning flick pass ,which was banned due to the umpire's difficulty in distinguishing whether the ball was thrown, or hit with the open hand!

However, Footscray failed to capitalise on their premiership success, falling off in the latter part of the decade and finishing with their first wooden spoon in 1959. But they bounced back to reach the 1961 Grand Final where they were beaten by Hawthorn. The rest of the decade was a bleak era for the club, particularly between 1965 and 1969, when they finished in the bottom three every year.

[edit] 1970s

Ted Whitten Snr. retired as a player in 1970 and held the record for the most VFL games played at the time (321 games), but he would continue in a coaching capacity until the end of 1971. The 1970s were relatively better but the club still could not win a final - and by decade's end they were back near the bottom.

The club has had players of both quality and character such as Charlie and Ted, and later Gary Dempsey, the heroic ruckman who was badly burnt in Lara bushfire of January 1969 but managed to take out the game's top individual award, the Brownlow Medal in 1975. Player Neil Sachse had his neck broken in a freak accident while playing against Fitzroy at the Western Oval. He was left quadriplegic. In 1978 Kelvin Templeton kicked 100 goals in a season including a club record of 15 in one game.

[edit] 1980s

With the disappointing 1970's behind it, the club introduced an array of stars during this decade. Simon Beasley became a household name after being recruited from Swan Districts in Western Australia to provide the Bulldogs with a genuine replacement for champion Kelvin Templeton. Beasley was to go on to become the Bulldogs' record goal kicker, and face of the club during the mid '80's.

Mick Malthouse was appointed senior coach in 1984, and a dramatic improvement saw them rise to second position in 1985 before a heart-breaking 10 point loss in the Preliminary Final against Hawthorn. The club boasted a wonderful list at this time, with Beasley, Doug Hawkins, Brian Royal, Rick Kennedy, Steve Wallis, Peter Foster, Mick Mclean, Jim Edmond, Andrew Purser, Steve MacPherson and Brad Hardie forming the backbone of a new breed of Bulldog. The Bulldogs also narrowly missed out on finals action in 1987 when they were beaten by Melbourne in the last round, in front of a record crowd at their home ground.

[edit] 1989

In 1989, the Bulldogs survived a proposed merger with the Fitzroy Lions when the people of Footscray, led by businessman Peter Gordon and a host of others, rallied to raise funds to pay off the club's debts. In further developments, former club player Terry Wheeler was named as Malthouse's replacement while champion veteran wingman Doug Hawkins was appointed captain.

[edit] 1990s

The Bulldogs began the new decade and their new lease of life in promising fashion, finishing in seventh place with twelve wins, including one against eventual premiers Collingwood, when rover Steven Kolyniuk ran around the man on the mark and kicked a goal to put his team in front. 1990 wasn't to be however, and the club missed the finals, but celebrated the success of Tony Liberatore winning the Brownlow Medal.

After a disappointing 1991, the Bulldogs bounced back in brilliant fashion in 1992, finishing second on the ladder and making their first finals appearance since 1985. Danny Del'Re was a revelation at full foward, while champion vetrans Hawkins, Royal, Wallis, Foster and MacPherson helped ensure the club played the most exciting brand of football for many years. Scott Wynd capped a magnificent year with the Brownlow Medal, while Chris Grant and Simon Atkins had outstanding seasons also.

In 1995, the Bulldogs again made the finals, only to again be eliminated by the Cats. Leon Cameron and Danny Southern were stars, but it was a familiar story, with the 'Dogs tripping at the final hurdles again. In August, club champion Ted Whitten snr. lost his battle with cancer and such was his status in the game that he was given a state funeral. In his honour, the club renamed the Western Oval the Whitten Oval and a memorial statue was erected outside the stadium.

Under the tightly focused management by club president David Smorgon, driven coaching by Terry Wallace, and the on-field leadership of Chris Grant (who narrowly missed a Brownlow Medal in 1996 and 1997) and Tony Liberatore, the club had a relatively successful period through the mid- to late 1990s, making the finals from 1997 to 2000. The 1997 season in particular, will be remmebered for the club's cruelest loss, missing the grand Final by 3 points, after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against eventual premiers, Adelaide. Rohan Smith, Brad Johnson, Chris Grant, Jose Romero, Paul Hudson and company were catalysts in a fine, but enevitably shattering season. Without a premiership win, the club's future as ever looked on a knife's edge.

During Smorgon's term, the club was renamed from Footscray to Western Bulldogs and moved from the Whitten Oval, first to Optus Oval from 1997 to 1999, and then to the newly-built Telstra Dome for the 2000 season.

 This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2006)

[edit] 2000s

Photo of Western Bulldogs warmup 2004

After a lamentable period under former coach Peter Rohde, the Bulldogs rightfully anticipated a brighter future with the appointment of Rodney Eade as coach in 2005. Improvement was immediate with the Bulldogs winning 11 games and finishing ninth on the ladder in 2005, just missing out on the finals by half a game. Missing the finals dealt a blow to both players and supporters of the team as hot late season form saw the team being considered real premiership contenders, even though a finals berth had not been secured.

In 2006, the Bulldogs continued to play well despite a disastrous run of injuries throughout the year; with five players having to have knee reconstructions, including captain Luke Darcy, Robert Murphy and a list of other major injuries to key players. Despite this setback, the Bulldogs finished the home-and-away season with 13 wins (see 2006 AFL season), making it to the finals for the first time since 2000, with Scott West and Brad Johnson continuing their inspirational standards. They won the Elimination Final against Collingwood in front of 84,000 at the MCG and reached the semi-finals before being defeated by eventual Premiers the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval. Many fans expect the Club to be potential Premiership contenders in the near future. (See Current AFL ladder)

On 5 August 2006, Chris Grant broke the Western Bulldogs record for the most senior AFL/VFL games at the club. On this day he played his 330th game, breaking Doug Hawkins' previous record of 329 games.

Looking for new markets, the club had played one game every year at the S.C.G. in Sydney and one home game each year at Marrara Oval in Darwin. On 16 August 2006, the league announced that the Bulldogs' Sydney "home" game would be played at Manuka Oval, Canberra (the country's capital) as of 2007, for the next three years.

Prior to the 2007, the Bulldogs made a splash by trading for Sydney midfielder Jason Akermanis. They were hot Premiership favourites early on in 2007, but faltered in the last seven rounds losing six games and drawing one to finish 13th.

In the following pre-season they traded away Jordan McMahon to Richmond and Sam Power to North Melbourne. They also recruited ruckman Ben Hudson and forward Scott Welsh from Adelaide and back Tim Callan from Geelong in what was a very successful trade week.

In 2008, the Bulldogs were widely predicted for the bottom four after the pre-season, but have had a successful home-and-away season finishing in third place with fifteen wins, one draw and six losses (five of which occurred in the season's last seven games). The Dogs' finals campaign began on a down note, losing to Hawthorn by 51 points at the MCG in the first qualifying final, but won the subsequent semi-final against Sydney by 37 points. The Bulldogs lost their Preliminary Final match against reigning premiers Geelong.

[edit] 2009 Playing List


Rookie List

[3]


[edit] 2009 season

The Western Bulldogs have grabbed a strangle hold on third position after 14 rounds after an average start to the season. 3 losses in their first 6 weeks kept them in 6th but since then they have 7 of their last 8 and the loss was by just 2 points to Geelong. In Round 14 they had a massive win over Reigning Premiers Hawthorn, 19.19.133 to 6.9.45. They led 9.6.60 to 0.2.2 at Quarter Time and 13.10.88 to 0.4.4 at Half Time.

Round Date Time Opponent Home/Away Venue Result Western Bulldogs v Opposition Ladder Position
1 29 March 4:40 p.m. Fremantle Dockers Away Subiaco Oval Won by 63 25.7(157) to 13.16(94) 2
2 5 April 2:10 p.m. North Melbourne Home M.C.G. Won by 15 11.14(80) to 9.11 (65) 2
3 13 April 2:10 p.m. Richmond Tigers Home Etihad Stadium Won by 47 16.14(110) to 8.15(63) 2
4 19 April 4:40 p.m. West Coast Eagles Away Subiaco Oval Lost by 33 12.11 (83) 17.14 (116) 3
5 26 April 2:10 p.m. Carlton Blues Home Etihad Stadium Lost by 43 13.12(90) to 21.7(133) 5
6 3 May 2:10 p.m. St Kilda Saints Home Etihad Stadium Lost by 28 11.10(76) to 14.20(104) 6
7 10 May 1:10 p.m. Adelaide Crows Away AAMI Stadium Won by 32 12.14 (86) to 17.16 (118) 3
8 16 May 2:10 p.m. Melbourne Demons Home M.C.G. Won by 7 15.14.(104) to 14.13(97) 3
9 22 May 2:10 p.m. Geelong Cats Away Etihad Stadium Lost by 2 17.14(116) to 17.12(114) 3
10 30 May 7:40 p.m. Sydney Swans Away Manuka Oval Won by 40 18.9 (117) to 12.5 (77) 3
11 5 June 7:40 p.m. Richmond Tigers Away Etihad Stadium Won by 68 24.13(157) to 14.5(89) 3
12 13 June 7:10 p.m. Port Adelaide Power Home TIO Stadium Won by 93 21.11(137) to 7.2(44) 3
13 28 June 2:10 p.m. North Melbourne Away M.C.G. Won by 22 12.14(86) to 17.6(108) 3
14 4 July 7:10 p.m. Hawthorn Hawks Home Etihad Stadium Won by 88 19.19(133) to 6.9(45) 3
15 10 July 7:10 p.m. Collingwood Magpies Home Etihad Stadium Lost by 1 16.14(110) to 17.9(111) 3
16 17 July 7:10 p.m. Essendon Bombers Home Etihad Stadium Not Played Yet 0.0(0) to 0.0(0) N/A
17 25 July 7:10 p.m. St Kilda Saints Away Etihad Stadium Not Played Yet 0.0(0) to 0.0(0) N/A
18 1 August 2:10 p.m. Fremantle Dockers Home Etihad Stadium Not Played Yet 0.0(0) to 0.0(0) N/A
19 8 August 2:10 p.m. West Coast Eagles Home Etihad Stadium Not Played Yet 0.0(0) to 0.0(0) N/A
20 15 August 7:10 p.m. Brisbane Lions Away The Gabba Not Played Yet 0.0(0) to 0.0(0) N/A
21 21 August 7:40 p.m. Geelong Cats Home Etihad Stadium Not Played Yet 0.0(0) to 0.0(0) N/A
22 28 August 4:40 p.m. Collingwood Magpies Away Etihad Stadium Not Played Yet 0.0(0) to 0.0(0) N/A

[edit] Membership base

Since the 1990s the Western Bulldogs have struggled for membership and financial backing, avoiding folding or merging with another club through heavy subsidisation from the AFL as part of a competitive balance fund. However, in 2006 the Bulldogs broke their membership record and have continued to make modest year-on-year increases in membership since.

Year Members Finishing position1
1998 20,064 Preliminary Finalist
1999 20,491 Semi Finalst
2000 18,056 Elimination Finalst
2001 19,085 10th
2002 20,838 12th
2003 21,260 16th
2004 19,295 14th
2005 21,974 9th
2006 26,042 Semi Finalst
2007 28,725 13th
2008 28,727 Preliminary Finalist
2009 28,216 -

1 following finals matches

[edit] Honours

[edit] VFA

Premierships (9)

  • 1898
  • 1899
  • 1900
  • 1908
  • 1913
  • 1919
  • 1920
  • 1923
  • 1924

Runners-up (5)

  • 1906
  • 1912
  • 1914
  • 1921
  • 1922

[edit] VFL/AFL

  • 1954 Premiers
  • 1961 Runners-up

[edit] Night Series

Premierships (4)

  • 1963
  • 1964
  • 1967
  • 1970

[edit] Individual awards

[edit] Best and Fairest

Main article: Charles Sutton Medal

[edit] Brownlow Medal winners

Main article: Brownlow Medal

*Chris Grant gained most votes in 1997 but was not eligible due to suspension

[edit] Leigh Matthews Trophy winners

Main article: Leigh Matthews Trophy

[edit] Coleman Medal winners

Main article: Coleman Medal

[edit] Scott West Most Courageous Player Award

This is awarded to the player judged to be the most courageous for the season.

[edit] Australian Football Hall of Fame players

Main article: Australian Football Hall of Fame
  • Ted Whitten (Legend)
  • Gary Dempsey
  • Doug Hawkins
  • Allan Hopkins
  • Arthur Olliver
  • Bernie Quinlan
  • Barry Round
  • John Schultz
  • Norm Ware
  • Scott West

[edit] Team of the Century

In May 2002, the club announced a team of the greatest players from the last century.

[edit] Team of the Century

Footscray Team of the Century
B: Charlie Sutton Herb Henderson John Schultz
HB: Wally Donald Ted Whitten (Capt) John Jillard
C: Harry Hickey Allan Hopkins Doug Hawkins(Vice Capt)
HF: Alby Morrison Kelvin Templeton Chris Grant
F: Jack Collins Simon Beasley George Bisset
Foll: Gary Dempsey Scott West Brian Royal
Int: Jim Gallagher Arthur Oliver Brad Johnson
Norm Ware Tony Liberatore Scott Wynd
Coach: Charlie Sutton

[edit] Club jumper

  • The home jumper is primarily royal blue with a red and white hoop and features a stylized white 'Bulldog' Logo on the jumper front. The player numbers are white, and located high upon the back.
  • Although the team officially trades under the name "Western Bulldogs", the initials "F.F.C." for Footscray Football Club, which still remains the club's official name, are placed on the back of the jumper immediately beneath the collar in small white capital letters.
  • The clash jumper is primarily white, with a red and blue hoop around the chest area. A white Bulldog Logo is located on the front of the guernsey. The player's number is blue, and located high upon the back.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ ABC News (23 September 2004). "Youth to benefit in Whitten Oval redevelopment". http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200409/s1205734.htm. 
  2. ^ Lionel Frost (25 September 2006). "Did the 1924 Bombers throw their last game?". http://afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=32977. 
  3. ^ http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/players/tabid/8976/default.aspx
Preceded by
Collingwood		 VFL/AFL Premiers
1954		 Succeeded by
Melbourne
v • d • e
Western Bulldogs
Club history  • Premierships & Records  • Players  • Awards
Captain: Brad Johnson  • Coach: Rodney Eade
Stadiums
Premierships
1 (1954)
Seasons
v • d • e
Clubs in the Australian Football League
Clubs
Adelaide  · Brisbane Lions  · Carlton  · Collingwood  · Essendon  · Fremantle  · Geelong  · Hawthorn  · Melbourne  · North Melbourne  · Port Adelaide  · Richmond  · St Kilda  · Sydney Swans  · West Coast Eagles  · Western Bulldogs
Former clubs
Proposed future clubs
Gold Coast (2011)  · Western Sydney (2012)  · Tasmania (2015+)
v • d • e
Sporting teams based in Melbourne
Association Football (soccer)
Australian Football
AFL: Carlton · Collingwood · Essendon · Hawthorn · Melbourne · North Melbourne · Richmond · St Kilda · Western Bulldogs
Baseball
Basketball
Cricket
Field Hockey
AHL: Victorian Vikings mens division, Victorian Vipers womens division
Ice hockey
Motorsport
Netball
Rugby League
Water Polo
Main Article: Sport in Victoria
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Bulldogs"
Personal tools