The 100 Greatest Footscray/Western Bulldogs Players of All Time: 100-81

As Footscray prepare to celebrate 100 years of competition in the V/AFL since their introduction in 1925, the time feels right to reveal a list I have been working on for several months.

Back in December, I was presented with a challenge: to rank the top 100 players to represent the Bulldogs in the past 100 years. The idea of generating lists and sending them into the ether to be debated ad nauseum has always appealed to me, so naturally I had no hesitation in giving this a go.

Given how complex ranking different players across multiple eras has been, it's only fair that the criteria be equally complicated. There isn't necessarily one hard rule that I've used when putting this together. An individual's achievements were a good starting point, with some (i.e. Premierships) carrying more weight than others at times, but it is worth noting that there are many players on this list who won't necessarily have the resume that their impact might have otherwise deserved, which was also taken into account.

Ultimately, this is just one man's opinion, and it's a list that even I'll probably never be truly satisfied with, let alone anyone reading this. But I found the exercise to be a lot of fun, so I hope you enjoy reading and discussing the list as much as I did compiling it. So without further ado, let's start with No.100...

100. Alan Martin

Games: 105 (1949-54)                          

Goals: 8

Achievements: 1954 Premiership Player

Footscray’s defence during the 1950s is often regarded as one of the most miserly in the game’s history, and formed a crucial component of the club’s success in the 1950s. Alan Martin was an ever-present figure in the Bulldogs back six in the first half of the decade, missing just eight games in six seasons after making his debut early in 1949, and was never dropped from the senior side. The pinnacle of his career came in his final game for the club, where he played across half-back in the 1954 Grand Final.

99. Stuart Magee

Games: 132 (1968-75)

Goals: 78

Achievements: Club Captain (1970)

Having arrived at the Bulldogs shortly after being released by South Melbourne, Magee had been rebuilding his career nicely at his second club, before being handed the unenviable task of succeeding E.J. Whitten as captain during Magee’s third season at the club, after the former’s mid-year retirement. Although Magee was relieved of the captaincy at the end of 1970, he continued to provide excellent service to the club for another five years, establishing himself as one of the club’s most reliable midfielders, before joining the Swan Distrcits at the end of the 1975 season.

98. Michael McLean

Games: 95 (1983-89)

Goals: 23

Achievements: Northern Territory Representative (1988)

Nicknamed “Magic”, Michael McLean was a very impressive prospect for Footscray during the 80s, featuring prominently along the wing where his foot skills and speed stood out. His career at the Bulldogs was curtailed by persistent ankle and calf injuries, meaning that he only once played more than 20 games in a season. He was one of the Bulldogs best performers in the 1985 Preliminary Final booting two goals from 18 disposals, and represented the Northern Territory in the 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival, where he achieved All-Australian Honours.

97. Geoff Jennings

Games: 137 (1974-83)

Goals: 136

Achievements: Captain (1979-81), State Representative (Victoria)

A fast, goalkicking midfielder, Jennings was thrust into the spotlight at a very young age, debuting for the Bulldogs just two days after his 19th birthday. Blessed with plenty of talent, he was the Bulldogs main man in the midfield during the mid-to-late 1970s, at time when Footscray produced teams strong enough to occasionally compete in finals. Jennings’ form was strong enough to see him be rewarded with three appearances for Victoria, and was appointed captain prior to the 1979 season, but injuries began to mount during the 1980s, and Jennings was forced to retire at just 28 years of age.

96. Tory Dickson

Games: 114 (2012-20)

Goals: 181

Achievements: 2016 Premiership Player

Arriving at the Bulldogs as an unassuming mature-aged selection who had previously played under then-coach Brendan McCartney, Tory Dickson left the club nine years later as a modern-day icon, with a reputation for his deadly accuracy around goal and for being one of the most reliable big-game players in recent memory. Despite being such a reliable goalkicker throughout his career, Dickson never actually topped the club’s goalkicking (he finished runner-up three times in his career), but consistently proved his worth at the business end of the season, kicking 15 goals across five finals. His most notable performance was a four-goal haul in the 2016 Preliminary Final – arguably the greatest game in the club’s history – before backing it up with three more in the Premiership win a week later.

Tory Dickson celebrates a goal in the 2016 Grand Final. Source: Getty Images

95. Ryan Hargrave

Games: 203 (2002-12)

Goals: 37

Achievements: 2010 Night Premiership Player

A versatile fighter, Hargrave was a mainstay in the Bulldogs lineup throughout the 2000s, with his aggression a real feature in his play, even if it did result in him overstepping the mark on the odd occasion. Standing at 190cm, Hargrave was forced to punch above his weight early in his career as he was often used as a key position player, particularly as a full-back, but the arrival of Rodney Eade brought out the best in Hargrave, who was able to use his athleticism as a tall back-flanker for much of the second half of the decade. His running gait and kicking style were ungainly but were equally effective. He missed just nine games from 2005-10, and featured in the 2010 Night Premiership team, before foot injuries brought about an end to his career.

94. Ross Abbey

Games: 123 (1971-81)

Goals: 65

Achievements: State Representative (Victoria)

Having arrived with the pressure of being the son of Premiership player Angus, Ross went on to forge a fine career in his own right at Footscray, establishing himself as a versatile midfielder who became a fixture of the Bulldogs engine room during the 70s, playing a key role in Footscray qualifying for finals in both 1974 and 1976. His form was also strong enough to see him represent Victoria.

93. Roger Duffy

Games: 117 (1952-58)

Goals: 117

Achievements: 1954 Premiership Player, x1 Leading Goalkicker (1952), State Representative (Victoria)

Highly respected by both teammates and rivals, Roger Duffy arrived at Footscray for the 1952 season having kicked 174 goals in the past two seasons with Newtown, playing predominantly at full-forward. While at Footscray, Duffy was used slightly higher up the ground, mostly playing across half forward, but the 20-year-old immediately impressed at the club; although he only booted 20 goals in his first season, it was enough to top the club’s goalkicking charts in what was a disappointing campaign for the team. Both Footscray’s and Duffy’s fortunes would improve in the coming years, however, and in the 1954 Grand Final he would be one of the better players on the day, recording 16 kicks, three handpasses and a goal. His fine career was also rewarded with an appearance for Victoria in 1957.

92. Tony McGuinness

Games: 109 (1986-90)

Goals: 108

Achievements: x1 Charles Sutton Medal (1987), x1 All-Australian (1988)

Having dominated at SANFL level with Glenelg for several seasons, Tony McGuinness arrived at the Bulldogs at the start of the 1986 season with a strong reputation, but wasted very little time in justifying it. In an era where Footscray largely struggled as a team, McGuinness thrived, regularly finding the football and hitting the scoreboard with his lethal left foot. He also enhanced his reputation as a wet-weather specialist, which became particularly crucial when playing in the muddy confines of the Western Oval most weeks. His best season came in 1987, where he secured the club’s best-and-fairest award, and finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal, before securing All-Australian honours the following season.

91. Bailey Dale

Games: 156* (2015-

Goals: 85*

Achievements: x1 All-Australian (2021)

The first currently-listed player to feature on this list, there’s still plenty of time for Bailey Dale to add to his resume and rise up this list even further by the end of his career. Initially drafted as a winger, he showed some strong signs as a forward early in his career, but it was a move into defence at the start of the 2021 season that catapulted his career. He went on to win his maiden All-Australian blazer that year, and has become a crucial part of the Bulldogs defensive stocks ever since, with his ability to always hit a target while dashing out of defence making him a favourite among Bulldogs fans. Finished equal-runner up in last year’s best-and-fairest.

90. Ted Whitten

Games: 144 (1974-82)

Goals: 133

Achievements: State Representative (Victoria)

No, not that Ted Whitten (spoilers: he might feature later in this list). There are perhaps only a handful of footballers who have played the game who have felt greater weight of expectation than what Ted Whitten Jr did when he arrived at Footscray. Remarkably, he debuted just four years after his own father retired, and while he wasn’t able to emulate Whitten Sr’s standing in the game, Ted Jr forged a fine career in his own right, averaging almost a goal a game in his 144 game career, where he became a regular member of the Footscray side and a Victorian representative. However, his career came to an abrupt end at just 25 years of age, owing to a failed knee operation.

89. Will Minson

Games: 191 (2004-16)

Goals: 81 Goals

Achievements: 2010 Night Premiership Player, x1 All-Australian (2013)

An aggressive fan favourite who loved a big celebration, Will Minson was forced to play second-fiddle in the ruck for most of his career, owing to the success of other ruckman, including Luke Darcy and Ben Hudson. He was still a serviceable relief ruck during that time and a reliable kick for goal when resting forward, and every game in 2008-09 when the Bulldogs made successive Preliminary Finals. But it was when he became the club’s No.1 ruckman that he truly elevated his game. No Bulldog has ever bettered his record of 860 hitouts in 2013, and his feats that year were rewarded with All-Australian honours. He retired at the end of the 2016 season, and while he didn’t play in the club’s AFL Premiership, he did play in Footscray’s VFL triumph the week prior.

88. Mitch Hahn

Games: 181 (2000-10)

Goals: 164

Achievements: 2010 Night Premiership Player

A fearless warrior, Mitch Hahn never took a backwards step in 181 games for the Bulldogs during the 2000s, with his courage and ferocious pressure endearing himself to the Bulldogs faithful. He was utilised as a bullocking, big-bodied midfielder early in his career, before the arrival of Rodney Eade saw him play more as an undersized key forward, where he became a regular fixture in a Bulldogs team that made three Preliminary Finals in a row. His bravery wasn’t without consequence, however, as he picked up a number of gruesome injuries in his career; most notably a torn ACL in 2006, and a cracked cheekbone when colliding with teammate Barry Hall in 2010.

87. Barry Round

Games: 135 (1969-75)

Goals: 136

Achievements: N/A

While Barry Round is undoubtedly considered one of the best rucks to ever play the game, his record at Footscray didn’t quite live up that that billing, even if it is strong enough to gain a spot inside the club’s top 100 players. He still featured regularly for Footscray during his seven seasons at the club, but was often forced to play behind Gary Dempsey in the ruck, which limited his opportunities in his preferred position. He was still a reliable, goal-a-game forward while playing for the club, but it was when he moved to South Melbourne that his career really took off.

86. Aaron Naughton

Games: 144* (2018-

Goals: 229*

Achievements: x2 Leading Goalkicker (2022-23)

Currently approaching the halfway mark of his career, Aaron Naughton certainly hasn’t been without his critics along the way, but remains on track to finish his career as one of the Bulldogs all-time greatest goalkickers. Starting out his career as an intercepting defender, coach Luke Beveridge made the decision to play him as a key forward early in his career, and has since gone on to become the lynchpin in the Bulldogs attack, with the forward setup constantly built around him. His aggressive attack on the ball in the air has seen him adopt the nickname “The Astronaut”, and has gone from strength to strength as he continues to build towards the prime of his career.

85. Terry Wheeler

Games: 157 (1974-83)

Goals: 18

Achievements: N/A

Before he coached the Bulldogs in the early 90s, Terry Wheeler represented the club on-field, developing a reputation for being one of the finest back-pocket players on his generation. Wheeler’s playing style made for the quintessential Bulldog footballer: tough, fearless, no-frills, but fair. Wheeler never played in a position that was conducive for many highlights or personal accolades, but was nevertheless a reliable defender in a struggling side.

84. Rick Kennedy

Games: 158 (1981-91)

Goals: 34

Achievements: Captain (1984-86), State Representative (Victoria)

While Wheeler dealt with the small forwards in the back pocket, Rick Kennedy stood right alongside him, contending with some of the best key forwards in the game. Cut from similar cloth to Wheeler, Kennedy was a old-fashioned full-back, who was hard at it, but his aggressive nature often drew the ire of the officials, who brought him before the tribunal on six occasions during his career. Nevertheless, he was an effective defender who regularly blunted his direct opponent, form that not only set the example for his teammates while captain of the side, but it also saw him represent his state in 1986.

83. Luke Dahlhaus

Games: 154 (2011-18)

Goals: 110

Achievements: 2016 Premiership Player

Luke Dahlhaus became an overnight sensation when he arrived at the Western Bulldogs, establishing himself as a fan favourite as a result of his electric pace, fierce pressure, and flowing dreadlocks. The hair wouldn’t last his entire career, but he continued to evolve and improve as a footballer throughout, transitioning from a sneaky small forward to an energetic ball-winning midfielder. His tenacity and high-pressure game style proved pivotal in 2016, as he played a key role in helping the Bulldogs break a 62-year Premiership drought, gathering 23 disposals in the decider.

Luke Dahlhaus played a crucial role in the Bulldogs 2016 Premiership success. Source: Getty Images

82. Danny Del-Re

Games: 62 (1990-94)

Goals: 139

Achievements: x2 Leading Goalkicker (1992-93)

Danny Del-Re’s stay at Footscray was only brief, but he made sure to leave a lasting impact, averaging over two goals a game during his five seasons at the club. At 188cm, he wasn’t the tallest key forward, but made up for it with his strength, regularly proving too much for opposition defenders to handle. His best season came in 1992, where he booted 70 games in 22 matches, including a remarkably accurate 13.2 in the finals. His eight-goal haul in the Qualifying Final that year broke the record for the most goals kicked in a final by any Bulldog – a record that still stands to this day.

81. Paul Hudson

Games: 108

Goals: 214

Achievements: x2 Leading Goalkicker (1998-99), x1 All-Australian (1999)

After a successful stint at Hawthorn, Paul Hudson arrived at the Bulldogs at the end of the 1996 season, and become an instant success. Carrying on the Hudson name with accurate goalkicking, Paul worked brilliantly in the Bulldogs forward line along with the likes of Chris Grant and Simon Minton-Connell, kicking 214 goals in 108 matches, including a career-best return of 61 goals in 1998, where the Bulldogs reached a Preliminary Final.