The 100 Greatest Footscray/Western Bulldogs Players of All Time: 20-1

This is it.

This is what we've spent all week building up to. The moment we've all been waiting for.

There's no room for even the very good players at this point. This is the cream of the crop. The best of the best. Only the elite Bulldogs of the past 100 years feature here. But who will reign supreme? Who will be named No.1 of all time? Scroll below to find out!

20. Tom Liberatore

Games: 235* (2011-)

Goals: 85

Achievements: 2016 Premiership Player, x1 Best and Fairest (2014)

While there have been several players on this list whose records do not do justice to their own performances, Tom Liberatore is perhaps the biggest victim of all. For over a decade, he has been the centrepiece to the Bulldogs’ engine room, regularly being the man to help turn the tide with his elite clearance work and tenacious ferocity at the contest. Throughout his career Liberatore has fought with all the aggressive traits and intensity that his father played with, but unlike Tony, Tom has added the necessary football skills to his game as well, whether it be clearing the ball with a slick set of hands, or hitting the target with an effective, if not unusual, kicking style. He has had his challenges injury-wise, suffering two ACL tears, a syndesmosis injury that he somehow managed to overcome on the eve of the 2016 finals series, and a scary absence due to concussion last year, but he has always found a way to overcome every hurdle thrown his way, and is on track to reach his 250th game later this year. 

19. Jack Collins

Games: 153 (1950-58)

Goals: 385

Achievements: 1954 Premiership Player, x1 League Leading Goalkicker (1954), x1 Coleman Medal (1957), x2 Best and Fairest (1951, 1952), x5 Leading Goalkicker (1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Forward Pocket), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member, State Representative (Vic)

Footscray’s much-vaunted defence of the 1950s has featured regularly in this list. But while the Bulldogs back six regularly kept them in games, Jack Collins was at the other end winning them, with his excellent marking abilities and his deadly accurate goalkicking. Despite this, Collins actually started his career playing at centre-half back, but it was when he made the move forward that his career catapulted. Collins won the club’s best and fairest award in his second and third seasons at the club, and by 1953 he had become the club’s dominant key forward, and would continue to monopolise that area of the ground, winning the club’s goalkicking in five of the next six seasons, including topping the league goalkicking table twice. His best season came in 1954, when he booted a career-high 84 goals for the campaign, including 7 in Footscray’s Grand Final win over Melbourne. At the time, it was tied for the most goals scored by any player in a Grand Final.

18. George Bisset

Games: 166 (1963-72)

Goals: 288

Achievements: x1 Best and Fairest (1963), x5 Leading Goalkicker (1963, 1964, 1967, 1969, 1970), x4 Night Premiership Player (1963, 1964, 1967, 1970), State Representative (Vic), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Forward Pocket), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member

What he lacked in size (standing at just 168cm) “Wee Georgie” Bisset more than made up for with his skill and energy across 10 seasons at the Bulldogs, establishing himself as one of the best small men in the game, and becoming a fan favourite among the adoring Western Oval crowd. While Footscray generally struggled during that decade, Bisset was the man Footscray regularly turned to as both their star player, and their most reliable route to goal, winning the club’s goalkicking award on five occasions. Bisset’s best season came in 1969, where he finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal by one vote. Bisset was reported against Carlton in Round 14 that season, but although he was cleared, the rules of the day stated that he was ineligible to receive votes for that game - a match where he recorded 31 disposals and booted six goals for Footscray.

17. Scott Wynd

Games: 237 (1998-2000)

Goals: 31

Achievements: Captain (1994-2000), x1 Brownlow Medal (1992), x1 All Australian (1992), x1 Best and Fairest (1992), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Interchange), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member

A man-mountain of a ruckman, Scott Wynd was Footscray’s premier tap ruck for the entirety of the 1990s, and was consistently rated as one of the league’s best big men during that time. His sizeable frame was regularly put to good use, and often played a key role in helping Footscray win the midfield battle. By far his best campaign arrived in 1992, where he won the Brownlow Medal, an All-Australian blazer, and his only best-and-fairest award for the club. His inspirational service to the club was consolidated when he was named captain in 1994, an honour that he held until his retirement in

2000.

16. Harry Hickey

Games: 174 (1937-48)

Goals: 169

Achievements: Captain (1947), x3 Best and Fairest (1939, 1957, 1947), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Wing), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member

Despite being named on the wing in the club’s Team of the Century, it was in the centre of the ground that Harry Hickey built a reputation during his playing career, establishing himself as one of the finest midfielders in the league, and comfortably one of Footscray’s biggest stars. He started his career at half-forward after being recruited from South Footscray, but a move into the middle brought about instant results, as he quickly became renowned as an elite goalkicking midfielder, whose performances were strong enough to see him represent Victoria on two occasions - once either side of World War II. He finished runner-up in the 1939 Brownlow Medal, but did win the club’s best and fairest award for the first time that year, however, and would go on to win it twice more in his career, including in his final season at the club.

15. Simon Beasley

Games: 154 (1982-89)

Goals: 575

Achievements: x1 Coleman Medal (1985), x7 Leading Goalkicker (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Full Forward), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member, State Representative (WA)

With 575 goals, no player in 100 years of V/AFL competition has scored more goals for Footscray than Simon Beasley. Arriving from West Australia in 1982, Beasley was immediately thrown into a difficult situation; being forced to play at full-forward in a Bulldogs side that would go on to finish bottom of the ladder with just three wins to its name. Despite this, Beasley proved to be a shining light in a dismal year, booting 82 goals against all odds to take out the club’s goalkicking award. He would achieve this feat for the next six years straight, with his final tally of seven a club record. From both a team and an individual standpoint, Beasley’s best campaign came in 1985, where he became the third Bulldog to win the Coleman Medal, and just the second Bulldog to kick 100 goals in a season, finishing the year with 105 as the Bulldogs reached the Preliminary Final. His form would hold for the remainder of the decade, before back injuries forced him into retirement in 1989. Beasley holds the record for the most goals kicked by any league footballer during the 1980s, and of the six Bulldogs to kick 10 or more goals in a match, Beasley is the only player who have achieved the feat multiple times (five in total).

In 100 years of V/AFL competition, no Bulldog has kicked more goals than Simon Beasley. Source: Getty Images

14. John Schultz

Games: 188 (1958-68)

Goals: 37

Achievements: x1 Brownlow Medal (1960), x5 Best and Fairest (1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1958) x3 Night Premiership Player (1963, 1964, 1967), x1 All Australian (1961) State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Back Pocket), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

Perhaps the most popular footballer in the club’s history, Gentleman John Schultz was a fan favourite during his playing days in the 1960s, but won over a whole new legion of fans over the past decade as a regular attendee of Bulldogs games until his passing late last year. As a player, Schultz was the latest in a long line of elite Bulldogs ruckman, and was one of the best players of his generation, with his palm work and strong marking ability a feature of his game. His durability was also of immense standing, at one point playing 169 consecutive matches for the club, highlights his incredible powers of recovery. In just his third season, he claimed a Brownlow Medal and the first of five club best and fairest awards. The achievements were a fitting reward for a player of his character, as Schultz was never once reported in his 188 matches. Post-playing days, he was chosen by the VFL to sit with Queen Elizabeth during a football match to explain the rules of the game to her during her visit in 1970, and in 2016 was selected to present the Premiership Cup to Luke Beveridge, Easton Wood and Robert Murphy.

13. Alby Morrison

Games: 224 (1928-38, 1941-42, 1946)

Goals: 369

Achievements: Captain (1934-35, 1937), x2 Best and Fairest (1933, 1936), x5 Leading Goalkicker (1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1934), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Half Forward), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member

One of great travesties of yesteryear football is that moving footage of the game’s star players simply doesn’t exist. In the case of Alby Morrison that regret is particularly apt, because he was undoubtedly one of Footscray’s first stars. In just his fourth game for the club, he booted seven goals against Hawthorn. Later that year, he became the first Bulldog to kick 10 goals in a match - also against Hawthorn. By season’s end, he’d booted 50 goals to top the club’s goalkicking, finished 8th in the league standings, and was still only 19 years of age. Morrison would top the club’s goalkicking a further four times in his career, as he evolved into a player that was equally adept as a midfielder, twice going on to secure a top-five finish in the Brownlow Medal. But perhaps more significantly, Morrison went on to become Footscray’s trailblazer, showing what was possible for Footscray players to achieve at VFL level. He represented Footscray in its first final in 1938, and in 1942 he became the first Bulldog to reach 200 league matches. Morrison last played for the Bulldogs in 1946, yet remarkably, still remains in sixth place on the club’s all-time goalkicking list.

12. Norm Ware

Games: 200 (1932-46)

Goals: 220

Achievements: Captain (1941-42), x1 Brownlow Medal (1941), x5 Best and Fairest (1934, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941), x1 Leading Goalkicker (1942), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Interchange), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australia Football Hall of Fame Member

A strong, physical ruckman with the ability to move like a midfielder, Norm Ware was Footscray’s most important player in the late 1930s, with his strong aerial work pivotal to helping Footscray qualify for finals for the first time. His fierce competitiveness was always channelled in a fair manner, collecting five best and fairest awards during his time at the club, and after finishing fourth in the Brownlow Medal count in 1940, he became, at the time, the first Bulldog to win a Brownlow Medal when he was honoured a year later. At the time, he was the oldest footballer to win the award (aged 30), and remains to this day the only playing-coach to win the medal. Later in his career, he was moved into the forward line where he was just as effective, with his 51 goals in 1942 the best return of his career.

11. Allan Hopkins

Games: 151 (1925-34)

Goals: 205

Achievements: Captain (1926, 1929-30), x1 Brownlow Medal (1930), x1 Best and Fairest (1931), x2 Leading Goalkicker (1925, 1926), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Centre), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

Allan Hopkins was Footscray’s first star player. At just 20 years of age, he debuted in Footscray’s first league match back in 1925, impressive with a three-goal effort in a narrow defeat to Fitzroy, meaning that for as long as Footscray have had the VFL, they’ve had Allan Hopkins to celebrate. Affectionately nicknamed “Banana Legs”, Hopkins was a highly-effective centreman during the 1920s and 30s, and was almost always at the heart of everything good that Footscray did. Almost a staple in Victoria’s state team, Hopkins’ record in the Brownlow Medal was unmatched, but it still could’ve been so much stronger. He tied for the award in 1930, and although lost the medal due to the countback rules that were in place at the time, he was retrospectively handed the medal in 1989. He also finished runner-up a further two times in his career.

10. Arthur Olliver

Games: 272 (1935-50)

Goals: 354

Achievements: Captain (1943-46, 1948-50), x2 Best and Fairest (1941, 1944), x3 Leading Goalkicker (1937, 1939, 1949), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Interchange), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

In an era where many millions of people were affected by the impact of World War II, Arthur Olliver’s feats on-field become even more impressive when one considers the amount of people who were forced to sacrifice their own livelihoods for the global cause. Olliver rarely missed a game for 16 seasons straight, providing a beacon of hope for Footscray fans with his elite skill and inspirational leadership. Appointed captain in 1943, Olliver led Footscray through its first moderately-successful era, where they regularly qualified for finals across the decade. Whether it be as a ruckman or up forward, Olliver was an immense asset however he was used throughout his career, and his immense durability allowed him to become the second Bulldog to reach 200 games, before going past Alby Morrison to finish on 272 appearances - a club record that would stand for nearly 20 years. 

9. Kelvin Templeton

Games: 143 (1974-82)

Goals: 494

Achievements: Captain (1982), x1 Brownlow Medal (1980), x2 Coleman Medal (1978, 1979), x5 Leading Goalkicker (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Centre Half Forward), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

Pound-for-pound, Kelvin Templeton is the best player the Bulldogs have ever had. Blessed with immense overheard marking abilities and an accurate, long-range boot, Templeton burst onto the scene straight away, kicking six goals against Collingwood on debut. From there, his legend only continued to grow, dazzling Footscray fans who would drift from one goal square to the other, just to get as close as possible to the No.31. From a Footscray perspective, Templeton broke all manner of goalkicking records during his time. He broke the club’s home-and-away record in 1976 when he booted 78 goals, then he broke it again two years later, becoming the first Bulldog ever to kick 100 goals in a season, finishing with a tally of 118.65. The standout performance that season was against St Kilda, when he kicked a remarkable 15.9 (a club record that still stands to this day), to help Footscray reach a then-league record of 33.15.213. He would win his second Coleman Medal in 1979, before a move from full-forward to centre-half forward resulted in him - somehow - taking his game to another level, kicking only 75 goals, but polling 23 Brownlow votes to win the award, becoming the first (and to date, only) Bulldog to win both the Brownlow and Coleman Medal. Alas, at about the halfway mark of his career, Templeton suffered a serious knee injury, and it impacted his effectiveness for the rest of his time at VFL level. When he eventually left for Melbourne he sat atop the club’s all-time goalkicking list, despite playing just 143 games. 

8. Gary Dempsey

Games: 207 (1969-78)

Goals: 105

Achievements: Captain (1971-72, 1977-78), x1 Brownlow Medal (1975), x6 Best and Fairest (1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977), x1 All Australian (1972), x2 Night Premiership Player (1967, 1970), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Ruck), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

For all the terrific ruckmen that Footscray have produced over the last one hundred years, there’s a strong case to be made that Gary Dempsey is the best of them all. He is the highest-ranked ruck on this list, and despite five ruckmen being named in the Bulldogs Team of the Century, Dempsey is the man who assumes the official role in the side. Despite that, Dempsey’s career was nearly over before it even began. After suffering from severe burns as a result of the 1969 Lara Bushfires, Dempsey was told by doctors that he would never play league football again. Seven months later, he was back playing for Footscray; the following season, he claimed his first best and fairest. Over the course of the 70s, he would add another five of those medals to his cabinet, including taking out the Brownlow Medal in 1975, with his elite tap work and strong marking presence helping him become one of the finest rucks of his generation. He left the club in 1978, going on to have a strong impact at North Melbourne. By career’s end, Dempsey had finished top-10 in the Brownlow count a staggering 13 times. 

7. Charlie Sutton

Games: 173 (1942, 1946-56)

Goals: 65

Achievements: 1954 Premiership Captain, Captain (1951-56), x1 Best and Fairest (1950), x1 Leading Goalkicker (1951), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Back Pocket), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

There have been many players on this list who have epitomised the fighting spirit of the Bulldogs over the past century, but none have done it quite like Charlie Sutton. Tenacious and determined, Sutton was a natural-born leader, but was forced to earn his reputation early in his career, as he was often thrown around in several different positions on the ground, struggling to make a name for himself in any one area. Ultimately, he thrived most while playing in the back pocket, but was also used as an enforcer when played on-ball, and did take out the club’s goalkicking award in 1951. He best season came the year prior, however, when he finished third in the Brownlow Medal, and took home his only Best and Fairest award that same year. Sutton’s indelible legacy on the game however will always be through his leadership. Appointed captain in 1951, Sutton oversaw one of the best Bulldogs teams to ever take the field, making finals in four seasons out of six under his stewardship. But it was in 1954 where he made history, becoming the first man to captain Footscray to a Premiership. Sutton’s famous “shop early and avoid the rush” quote is still a core piece of Bulldogs legend to this day, and it resonated strongly with the players themselves, with the Bulldogs kicking six-goals-to-one in the opening term. Sutton led by example on the day, too, kicking three goals to be one of Footscray’s best.

6. Scott West

Games: 324 (1993-2008)

Goals: 104

Achievements: x7 Best and Fairest (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005), x5 All Australian (1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Ruck Rover), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Member, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

Rarely have the Bulldogs had a player who has performed with the consistency of Scott West. A player capable of finding the football in his sleep, no Bulldog has bettered West’s tally of seven club best and fairest awards, while also finishing runner-up on another two occasions. One of the hardest-working players of his generation, it was his willingness to always be at the next contest that allowed West to gather as much of the football as he did, and this was also recognised by his peers, as he also won five All-Australian blazers in his career. And while his feats were regularly recognised on Brownlow night, his efforts yielded no medal, despite numerous close calls. He twice finished runner-up in the count, once finishing third and another time running fourth. By the end of his career in 2008, West had consolidated himself as the Bulldogs all-time leading disposal-winner, amassing the football over 8000 times in his career. 

5. Doug Hawkins

Games: 329 (1978-94)

Goals: 216

Achievements: Captain (1990-93), x1 Best and Fairest (1985), x1 Leading Goalkicker (1991), x2 All-Australian (1984, 1986), State Representative (VIC) Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century Vice-Captain (Wing), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

Any player that has a wing named after them needs to have enjoyed quite a special career, and no one deserves that right more than Doug Hawkins. Otherwise known as Dancin’ Dougie, Hawkins dominated the expanses of the Western Oval for over 15 years, captivating the crowd with some of the best natural talent ever to wear the red, white and blue. Whether it be by foot or hand, Hawkins rarely wasted a possession, and his aggressive approach to the game made him a reliable asset in aerial duels, as well. Despite his ability, he doesn’t necessarily have the record to show for it. His best finish in the Brownlow Medal was a fourth-placed finish in 1984, before winning his only best-and-fairest honour the following year. Later in his career, he was moved from his customary wing role into the forward line. He took out the club’s goalkicking award in 1991 with 38 goals, before following it up with a career-best 42-goal return the next season. In his final year in 1994, he broke the club’s all-time games record, surpassing E.J. Whitten’s tally of 321, before leaving the club at season’s end, finishing up on 329 appearances. His resume may not suggest it, but Hawkins was undoubtedly one of Footscray’s best ever, and at the time, was considered the club’s second-greatest player, behind only Whitten.

4. Brad Johnson

Games: 364 (1994-2010)

Goals: 558

Achievements: Captain (2006-10), x3 Best and Fairest (1999, 2002, 2006), x5 Leading Goalkicker (2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), x6 All Australian (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007), x1 All Australian Captain (2006), State Representative (VIC), International Rules Representative, Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Interchange), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member

“The Smiling Assassin”, Brad Johnson was an outrageous footballer, who stood out as such even despite the elite talent littered around him at various stages in his career. A Bulldogs fan growing up, Johnson started his career playing on the wing, with his pace and skill quickly becoming a vital asset to the Bulldogs lineup, and helping to establish himself a regular member of the team. With explosive speed off the mark and terrific overhead for a player of his size, Johnson as a goalkicking midfielder proved a nightmare matchup for opposition coaches to contend with; too good in the air for mid-sized opposition, and too quick on the ground for a taller opponent, and this was reflected in the six All-Australian honours that he won during his career. Later in his career, he was deployed as a permanent forward, where he continued to be just as damaging. His best campaign arrived in 2006 when, captaining the side as an undersized full-forward, he finished runner-up in the Coleman Medal with a career-best 74 goals, polled 19 Brownlow Votes to finish fifth in the count, and became the first Bulldog to be named All-Australian captain as the club returned to finals for the first time since 2000. He led the club’s goalkicking for four years running towards the end of his career, including 2008, which is statistically the Bulldog highest-scoring season ever. In 2009 he overtook Chris Grant for the most games ever played by a Bulldog, and broke past the 350 game barrier in Round 1 of 2010. As things stand, Johnson has still played more games than any other Bulldog, and only Simon Beasley has kicked more goals.

3. Chris Grant

Games: 341 (1990-2007)

Goals: 554

Achievements: Captain (2000-04), x2 Best and Fairest (1994, 1996), x2 Leading Goalkicker (1990, 1994), x3 All Australian (1997, 1998, 1999), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (Half Forward), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Member 

There wasn’t a Bulldogs kid alive that didn’t have a poster of Chris Grant on their wall at some point in the 1990s. He was the closest thing to a superhero that a footballer could be; a high-flying, strong-marking, goalkicking centre-half forward. He was the player that every young Bulldogs fan dreamed of being. Despite the stardom, Grant’s career at the Bulldogs originated from humble beginnings. As a scrawny 17-year-old, Grant was drafted by the Bulldogs at Pick 105 in the 1988 National Draft, barely an afterthought of a selection these days. But the doubters were quickly proven wrong once Grant broke through for senior selection, though, becoming the youngest player in V/AFL history to kick 50 goals in a season, finishing the 1990 campaign with 51 majors, all at just 17 years of age. As his career progressed, Grant evolved from a skin-and-bones full-forward to a powerful, athletic centre-half forward, regularly getting the crowd off its feet with spectacular high-flying marks, while still possessing the agility to be in the contest when the ball hit the ground. He was at his most dominant in the late 1990s, winning three All-Australian selections in a row as the Bulldogs regularly contended in the top echolons on the ladder. For all the brilliance that Grant displayed through those years, his resume could’ve been so much stronger. He missed out on the 1996 Brownlow Medal, finishing one vote behind joint-winners James Hird and Michael Voss. The following year he polled the most votes, but was ruled ineligible due to a one-match suspension incurred earlier in the season, which came days after losing by two points to Adelaide in the Preliminary Final, one of the Bulldogs’ best chances at winning a Premiership in that decade. Grant was appointed captain at the start of the new century, and while he had passed his absolute peak, he was still a valuable member of the Bulldogs side. His career looked to be hanging by a thread when, in 2003, he suffered a season-ending knee injury at 30 years of age. But he recovered and returned in a new role, this time at centre-half back, and became a crucial member in the Bulldogs back six, proving that he had the versatility as well as the skill to become one of the Bulldogs greatest players of all time. He briefly held the club record for most games played, when he overtook Doug Hawkins’ tally in 2006, before retiring the following season.

2. E.J. Whitten

Games: 321 (1951-70)

Goals: 360

Achievements: 1954 Premiership Player, Captain (1957-70), x5 Best and Fairest (1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961), x4 Leading Goalkicker (1961, 1962, 1964, 1968), x3 All Australian (1956, 1958, 1961), State Representative (VIC), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Team of the Century Captain (Centre Half Back), AFL Team of the Century Captain (Centre Half Back), Footscray/Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame Legend, Australian Football Hall of Fame Legend

Not just one of the greatest players that the Bulldogs have ever seen, E.J. Whitten is one of the greatest figures in the history of the game, with his skill, longevity and charisma all combining to allow him to become an icon of Australian sport. Debuting as a talented young prospect at 17 years of age, Whitten made his mark on the game straight away, scoring a goal with his first kick at league level, but it was at centre-half back where he made his mark early in his career, impressing with his excellent skills and his ability to read the play. He played a key role in the club’s Premiership success in 1954, being named among the club’s best players on the day, as well as taking out the club’s best and fairest award that year - the first of five times he would achieve this feat. In 1957, the club made the decision to appoint Whitten, still just 23 years of age, to the role of captain-coach, a position that he would hold onto until the end of his career. Following this appointment, Whitten was used more in the midfield and up forward, being one of Footscray’s main forward targets during the 1960s. His best return came in 1961, where he kicked 42 goals as he led Footscray to its second Grand Final appearance. Whitten was also a parochial figure when it came to State of Origin. A regular for Victoria, Whitten dominated in the carnivals that were held, winning All-Australian honours three times in his career, and winning 27 of the 29 games he played for Victoria. His impact at the Bulldogs waned towards the end of his career, but his legacy and popularity among the Bulldogs fans never did. He was named captain in the Bulldogs Team of the Century, and is the only Bulldog to be named in the AFL’s Team of the Century, a side which he was also named captain of. 

1. Marcus Bontempelli

Games: 240* (2014-

Goals: 232

Achievements: 2016 Premiership Player, Captain (2020-), x6 Best and Fairest (2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024), x6 All Australian (2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024), x1 All Australian Captain (2024), x3 League MVP (2021, 2023, 2024), x1 AFLCA Player of the Year (2019)

For decades, Whitten has been the undisputed No.1 player in the club’s history, and with good reason. It was always going to take an extraordinary footballer to usurp him. But to call Marcus Bontempelli’s career ‘extraordinary’ wouldn’t nearly do it justice - and it’s still far from over. Almost as soon as he stepped into the AFL system, Bontempelli was the man that teammates turned to get the club over the line, and he regularly delivered, winning several games off his own boot even during his first season, most notably a memorable Goal of the Year contender in the final minutes in one match against Melbourne. In his third season, he became the youngest winning captain in V/AFL history when he led to the Bulldogs to narrow win over West Coast, aged just 20 years and 194 days. Come September that year, he entered the 2016 Finals Series with considerable weight of expectation, with injuries to several key players forcing Bontempelli to assume much on-field responsibility, but over the course of the month that followed he swept past all that came before him, playing a key role in each of the club’s finals wins, regularly standing up when required, and played a crucial, if underrated, role in the Grand Final, as the club broke a 62-year Premiership drought. He later became just the second Bulldog to win a best-and-fairest in a Premiership year - the first of six - etching himself into Bulldog immortality at just 20 years of age.  As the seasons passed, Bontempelli’s game grew from strength to strength, graduating from a promising youngster to the best player in the game. He was appointed captain of the club in 2020, and the following season led the Bulldogs to another Grand Final appearance. That same season, he won yet another best-and-fairest, and also claimed his first League MVP award. Last year, he became the first player in the game to claim the League MVP award three times, and was named All-Australian captain for the first time in his career (his sixth selection in total). Hall of Fame honours surely await him the second he become eligible to be inducted, meaning that the only accolade that has eluded him thus far is a Brownlow Medal, having twice finished runner-up in the count. But at just 29 years of age, there is still time for him to add to his burgeoning resume, and given how he has just continued to improve with age during his career, if any Bulldogs fans have doubts that he is already the greatest player in the club’s history, then the debate will surely be settled by the time his playing days at the Bulldogs come to an end.

Marcus Bontempelli - the greatest Bulldog of all time. Source: Getty Images

Matthew Donald's Top 100 Footscray/Western Bulldogs Players of All Time:

100. Alan Martin

99. Stuart Magee

98. Michael McLean

97. Geoff Jennings

96. Tory Dickson

95. Ryan Hargrave

94. Ross Abbey

93. Roger Duffy

92. Tony McGuinness

91. Bailey Dale

90. Ted Whitten

89. Will Minson

88. Mitch Hahn

87. Barry Round

86. Aaron Naughton

85. Terry Wheeler

84. Rick Kennedy

83. Luke Dahlhaus

82. Danny Del-Re

81. Paul Hudson

80. Gary Merrington

79. Ian Bryant

78. Steven Kretiuk

77. Harvey Stevens

76. Andrew Purser

75. Barry Hall

74. Don Ross

73. Josh Dunkley

72. Peter Welsh

71. Lachie Hunter

70. Stephen Power

69. Matthew Croft

68. Leo Ryan

67. Jose Romero

66. Peter Foster

65. John Kerr

64. Simon Atkins

63. Brad Hardie

62. Terry Wallace

61. Laurie Sandilands

60. Caleb Daniel

59. Nathan Brown

58. Steven Kolyniuk

57. Jake Stringer

56. Len McCankie

55. Daniel Cross

54. Allan Collins

53. Stephen Macpherson

52. Lindsay Gilbee

51. Ryan Griffen

50. Jason Johannisen

49. Nathan Eagleton

48. Ian Dunstan

47. Jim Edmond

46. Adam Cooney

45. Daniel Giansiracusa

44. Leon Cameron

43. Dave Bryden

42. Brian Lake

41. Liam Picken

40. Bernie Quinlan

39. David Thorpe

38. Ivan McAlpine

37. Bill Wood

36. Joe Ryan

35. Jackson Macrae

34. Easton Wood

33. Jim Gallagher

32. Luke Darcy

31. John Jillard

30. Rohan Smith

29. Peter Box

28. Herb Henderson

27. Dale Morris

26. Brian Royal

25. Matthew Boyd

24. Tony Liberatore

23. Steve Wallis

22. Wally Donald

21. Robert Murphy

20. Tom Liberatore

19. Jack Collins

18. George Bissett

17. Scott Wynd

16. Harry Hickey

15. Simon Beasley

14. John Schultz

13. Alby Morrison

12. Norm Ware

11. Allan Hopkins

10. Arthur Olliver

9. Kelvin Templeton

8. Gary Dempsey

7. Charlie Sutton

6. Scott West

5. Doug Hawkins

4. Brad Johnson

3. Chris Grant

2. E.J. Whitten

1. Marcus Bontempelli