The Western Bulldogs (formerly the Footscray Football Club) is a professional Australian rules football club based in the inner-west Melbourne suburb of Footscray, Victoria.The club was founded in 1877 and has competed in the Australian Football League (AFL) since 1925. The Bulldogs have won two senior VFL/AFL premierships, in 1954 and 2016, and was runner up in 1961.
In 1880, the club changed its name to the Prince Imperials in honour of Napoléon, Prince Imperial, the heir to French throne, who had recently died in battle.
Supporters felt that the bulldog typified Footscray's "bulldog spirit" that season, and it became the club's nickname and mascot. ===Grounds=== The club played its home matches at the Western Oval, located in the inner-western Melbourne suburb of Footscray, from 1884 until 1997 (except for a brief period at nearby Yarraville Oval, from 1941 to 1943).
In 1886, Footscray gained admission to the Victorian Football Association (VFA) after amalgamating with the Footscray Cricket Club to form a senior football club.
The club tended to struggle over the next decade, occupying the lower rungs of the VFA ladder. The club began to improve after the VFL breakaway of 1896, finishing on top of the VFA ladder in 1898, 1899 and 1900.
The club tended to struggle over the next decade, occupying the lower rungs of the VFA ladder. The club began to improve after the VFL breakaway of 1896, finishing on top of the VFA ladder in 1898, 1899 and 1900.
The club tended to struggle over the next decade, occupying the lower rungs of the VFA ladder. The club began to improve after the VFL breakaway of 1896, finishing on top of the VFA ladder in 1898, 1899 and 1900.
The club tended to struggle over the next decade, occupying the lower rungs of the VFA ladder. The club began to improve after the VFL breakaway of 1896, finishing on top of the VFA ladder in 1898, 1899 and 1900.
The club played in and won its first finals match in 1903, against , the minor premiers, but lost the follow-up finals match to .
After losing to West Melbourne in the 1906 VFA Grand Final, the club won its first premiership by defeating Brunswick in 1908.
After losing to West Melbourne in the 1906 VFA Grand Final, the club won its first premiership by defeating Brunswick in 1908.
Another premiership followed in 1913. The club entered two years of recess during World War I and returned in 1918.
Another premiership followed in 1913. The club entered two years of recess during World War I and returned in 1918.
From bottom to top in one year, 1919 saw the club win the premiership, and again in 1920.
The win was a significant factor in Footscray gaining admission to the VFL. ===1925–1940s: Joining the VFL=== In 1919, there were nine clubs competing in the VFL, due to the return of all the foundation teams plus Richmond after World War I, as well as University Football Club deciding not to rejoin the VFL.
From bottom to top in one year, 1919 saw the club win the premiership, and again in 1920.
The club went back-to-back in 1923 and 1924. The 1924 premiership would be Footscray's last in the VFA.
The club went back-to-back in 1923 and 1924. The 1924 premiership would be Footscray's last in the VFA.
After the 1924 season, the club challenged the premiers of the VFL, Essendon, to a charity match, otherwise known as the Championship of Victoria, for the benefit of opera singer Dame Nellie Melba's Limbless Soldiers' Appeal.
The success flowed onto the field as well, with the club securing the VFL Premiership in its first season in the competition since 1924, defeating the Box Hill Hawks by 22 points in the VFL Grand Final. Following a disappointing season in 2014, the Bulldogs endured a tumultuous off-season.
The Western Bulldogs (formerly the Footscray Football Club) is a professional Australian rules football club based in the inner-west Melbourne suburb of Footscray, Victoria.The club was founded in 1877 and has competed in the Australian Football League (AFL) since 1925. The Bulldogs have won two senior VFL/AFL premierships, in 1954 and 2016, and was runner up in 1961.
Before gaining entry to the Victorian Football League (since renamed the AFL) in 1925, the club won nine premierships in the Victorian Football Association (VFA).
On the night of 9 January 1925, a committee meeting of the VFL, chaired by Reg Hunt of Carlton, decided to expand the league from nine clubs to twelve.
The team won six premierships between 1925 and 1999.
The following week, playing their first VFL home game at the Western Oval against a strong team, the Tricolours recorded their first VFL victory by 10 points in front of 25,000 spectators with a strong team effort. 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.
The Western Bulldogs adopted its current nickname during the 1928 VFL season after a bulldog ran onto the field and accidentally led the players out against Collingwood at the Western Oval (now Whitten Oval), "to the wild applause of the callow youth", wrote one match reporter.
Though they slipped to eleventh place in 1930, 1935 and 1937, in 1938 they became the first of the new clubs to reach the finals.
The following week, playing their first VFL home game at the Western Oval against a strong team, the Tricolours recorded their first VFL victory by 10 points in front of 25,000 spectators with a strong team effort. 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 place in 1930, 1935 and 1937, in 1938 they became the first of the new clubs to reach the finals.
Though they slipped to eleventh place in 1930, 1935 and 1937, in 1938 they became the first of the new clubs to reach the finals.
Though they slipped to eleventh place in 1930, 1935 and 1937, in 1938 they became the first of the new clubs to reach the finals.
They fell back drastically in 1939, but played better during the war-torn 1940s, winning their first nine games in 1946. ===1950–1954: First VFL flag=== Between 1938 and 1951, Footscray failed to win any finals matches, losing all six of its semi-final appearances.
They fell back drastically in 1939, but played better during the war-torn 1940s, winning their first nine games in 1946. ===1950–1954: First VFL flag=== Between 1938 and 1951, Footscray failed to win any finals matches, losing all six of its semi-final appearances.
They fell back drastically in 1939, but played better during the war-torn 1940s, winning their first nine games in 1946. ===1950–1954: First VFL flag=== Between 1938 and 1951, Footscray failed to win any finals matches, losing all six of its semi-final appearances.
Supporters felt that the bulldog typified Footscray's "bulldog spirit" that season, and it became the club's nickname and mascot. ===Grounds=== The club played its home matches at the Western Oval, located in the inner-western Melbourne suburb of Footscray, from 1884 until 1997 (except for a brief period at nearby Yarraville Oval, from 1941 to 1943).
Supporters felt that the bulldog typified Footscray's "bulldog spirit" that season, and it became the club's nickname and mascot. ===Grounds=== The club played its home matches at the Western Oval, located in the inner-western Melbourne suburb of Footscray, from 1884 until 1997 (except for a brief period at nearby Yarraville Oval, from 1941 to 1943).
They fell back drastically in 1939, but played better during the war-torn 1940s, winning their first nine games in 1946. ===1950–1954: First VFL flag=== Between 1938 and 1951, Footscray failed to win any finals matches, losing all six of its semi-final appearances.
They fell back drastically in 1939, but played better during the war-torn 1940s, winning their first nine games in 1946. ===1950–1954: First VFL flag=== Between 1938 and 1951, Footscray failed to win any finals matches, losing all six of its semi-final appearances.
In 1953, however, the club set a record by conceding only 959 points in the home-and-away season due to a powerful defence featuring Dave Bryden, Wally Donald, Herb Henderson and Jim Gallagher.
The Western Bulldogs (formerly the Footscray Football Club) is a professional Australian rules football club based in the inner-west Melbourne suburb of Footscray, Victoria.The club was founded in 1877 and has competed in the Australian Football League (AFL) since 1925. The Bulldogs have won two senior VFL/AFL premierships, in 1954 and 2016, and was runner up in 1961.
Footscray finally won its first semi-final, against Essendon, but lost the preliminary final to , a key factor being the absence of star full-forward Jack Collins, who had been suspended for four matches at the end of the home-and-away season. The Bulldogs went into the 1954 VFL season as premiership contenders.
Took out their first VFL premiership, beating Geelong and then in the 1954 VFL Grand Final. ===1955–1960s: Gradual decline=== 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. The 1960s started promisingly, with the club bouncing back to reach the 1961 Grand Final, where they faced who were in their first Grand Final.
While AFL clubs traditionally use banners to celebrate milestones or to write motivational messages, McGinlay's "amusing pieces of throwaway banter" at the expense of opposing clubs have acquired cult status in the game, and occasionally proved controversial. ===In popular culture=== William Ellis Green ("WEG"), cartoonist for The Herald, began a VFL/AFL Grand Final tradition in 1954 after drawing a full-page caricature of the Western Bulldogs mascot.
Took out their first VFL premiership, beating Geelong and then in the 1954 VFL Grand Final. ===1955–1960s: Gradual decline=== 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. The 1960s started promisingly, with the club bouncing back to reach the 1961 Grand Final, where they faced who were in their first Grand Final.
Took out their first VFL premiership, beating Geelong and then in the 1954 VFL Grand Final. ===1955–1960s: Gradual decline=== 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. The 1960s started promisingly, with the club bouncing back to reach the 1961 Grand Final, where they faced who were in their first Grand Final.
The Western Bulldogs (formerly the Footscray Football Club) is a professional Australian rules football club based in the inner-west Melbourne suburb of Footscray, Victoria.The club was founded in 1877 and has competed in the Australian Football League (AFL) since 1925. The Bulldogs have won two senior VFL/AFL premierships, in 1954 and 2016, and was runner up in 1961.
Took out their first VFL premiership, beating Geelong and then in the 1954 VFL Grand Final. ===1955–1960s: Gradual decline=== 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. The 1960s started promisingly, with the club bouncing back to reach the 1961 Grand Final, where they faced who were in their first Grand Final.
The 1997 season is remembered for the club's cruellest loss, to eventual premiers Adelaide in the preliminary final by two points after leading for much of the game and appearing to be headed for their first grand final since 1961.
This was followed by winning the 1963 and 1964 night premierships, although this success was not transferred into the season proper.
This was followed by winning the 1963 and 1964 night premierships, although this success was not transferred into the season proper.
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. ===1970s=== Ted Whitten Snr.
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. ===1970s=== Ted Whitten Snr.
The club was relatively strong in the 1970s, but did not win a final; by decade's end they were back near the bottom. The main stars of the decade included 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.
retired as a player in 1970 and held the record for the most VFL games played at the time (321 games); he would continue in a coaching capacity until the end of 1971.
The club was relatively strong in the 1970s, but did not win a final; by decade's end they were back near the bottom. The main stars of the decade included 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.
The pre-season delivered the Western Bulldogs their first competition victory since 1970 as they defeated by 40 points in the NAB Cup Grand Final, with new recruit Barry Hall starring with seven goals and winning the Michael Tuck Medal for being the best player.
retired as a player in 1970 and held the record for the most VFL games played at the time (321 games); he would continue in a coaching capacity until the end of 1971.
The club was relatively strong in the 1970s, but did not win a final; by decade's end they were back near the bottom. The main stars of the decade included 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.
He was left quadriplegic. In 1978, Kelvin Templeton became the first Bulldogs player to kick 100 goals in a season, including a club record of 15.9 in Round 13 against St Kilda. ===1980s === After muddling its way through a disappointing decade, having to sell many of its key players to survive, the Bulldogs would endure another tumultuous decade in the 1980s.
He was left quadriplegic. In 1978, Kelvin Templeton became the first Bulldogs player to kick 100 goals in a season, including a club record of 15.9 in Round 13 against St Kilda. ===1980s === After muddling its way through a disappointing decade, having to sell many of its key players to survive, the Bulldogs would endure another tumultuous decade in the 1980s.
To try and improve the club's fortunes, the committee appointed former Richmond champion Royce Hart as coach for the 1980 VFL season.
It is the most valuable and sought-after of WEG's Grand Final posters. Martin Flanagan's 1994 book Southern Sky, Western Oval reflects on the Western Bulldogs' fight for survival when it faced a merger with Fitzroy in the late 1980s.
The film revolves around the exploits and downfall of a violent skinhead gang based in Footscray. In season 1 Degrassi Junior High episode 'It's Late!' character 'Wheels' is seen wearing a 1980s Footscray Bulldogs VFL long-sleeve jumper. ==Membership and attendance== Compared to other Victorian AFL clubs, the Western Bulldogs have had historically low membership numbers.
Things hit an all-time low in 1982; the Bulldogs lost their opening round match to by 109 points and by the middle of the season, with only one win in 12 games and having lost the last eight matches, Hart was sacked and replaced with player Ian Hampshire, who promptly quit his playing duties.
He would go on to become the Bulldogs' record goalkicker. Mick Malthouse was appointed senior coach in 1984, and a dramatic improvement saw them rise to second position in 1985 before a ten-point loss in the preliminary finals against Hawthorn.
He would go on to become the Bulldogs' record goalkicker. Mick Malthouse was appointed senior coach in 1984, and a dramatic improvement saw them rise to second position in 1985 before a ten-point loss in the preliminary finals against Hawthorn.
Although they just missed out on the finals, there was much to look forward to, and the year was capped off with diminutive rover Tony Liberatore winning the Brownlow Medal. After a disappointing 1991, the Bulldogs bounced back in 1992, finishing second on the ladder and making their first finals appearance since 1985.
The club boasted a list of top players at this time, with Beasley, Doug Hawkins, Brian Royal, Rick Kennedy, Stephen Wallis, Peter Foster, Michael McLean, Jim Edmond, Andrew Purser, Stephen MacPherson and Brad Hardie. Things didn't bode well for the Bulldogs early in the 1987 VFL season.
However, they just missed out on the finals when Melbourne defeated them in the last round in front of a record crowd at their home ground. ====1989: Proposed merger and fightback==== Discontent between players, officials and fans reached an all-time low during the 1989 VFL season.
While Columb was branded by some as the villain of the story, the wisdom of hindsight shows that had he not instigated the merger, the Western Bulldogs would not exist as it does today. ===1990s=== The Bulldogs began the new decade in promising fashion, finishing in seventh place with twelve wins in 1990, 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.
In his honour, the club renamed the Western Oval the Whitten Oval, and a memorial statue of Whitten was erected outside the stadium. Under the tightly focused management of 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 successful period through the mid- to late 1990s, making the finals from 1997 to 2000.
Although they just missed out on the finals, there was much to look forward to, and the year was capped off with diminutive rover Tony Liberatore winning the Brownlow Medal. After a disappointing 1991, the Bulldogs bounced back in 1992, finishing second on the ladder and making their first finals appearance since 1985.
Although they just missed out on the finals, there was much to look forward to, and the year was capped off with diminutive rover Tony Liberatore winning the Brownlow Medal. After a disappointing 1991, the Bulldogs bounced back in 1992, finishing second on the ladder and making their first finals appearance since 1985.
The award-winning documentary Year of the Dogs gives an inside look at the Western Bulldogs over the course of the 1996 AFL season. Footscray Bulldogs merchandise is seen to be worn in 1992 film Romper Stomper by the main character 'Hando'.
Scott Wynd capped a magnificent year with the Brownlow Medal, while Chris Grant and Simon Atkins also had outstanding seasons. In 1994 and 1995, the Bulldogs again made the finals, only to be eliminated by Melbourne and Geelong, respectively.
It is the most valuable and sought-after of WEG's Grand Final posters. Martin Flanagan's 1994 book Southern Sky, Western Oval reflects on the Western Bulldogs' fight for survival when it faced a merger with Fitzroy in the late 1980s.
Scott Wynd capped a magnificent year with the Brownlow Medal, while Chris Grant and Simon Atkins also had outstanding seasons. In 1994 and 1995, the Bulldogs again made the finals, only to be eliminated by Melbourne and Geelong, respectively.
Home to the club's training facilities and administrative headquarters, the oval, nicknamed "The Kennel", was officially renamed Whitten Oval in 1995 in honour of club legend Ted Whitten, who died earlier that year.
The club draws much of its supporter base from Melbourne's traditionally working-class western region, and plays its senior men's home matches at Docklands Stadium (currently known as Marvel Stadium) in the Docklands, also in the city's inner-west. In 1996, the club changed its name from the "Footscray Football Club" to the "Western Bulldogs".
In his honour, the club renamed the Western Oval the Whitten Oval, and a memorial statue of Whitten was erected outside the stadium. Under the tightly focused management of 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 successful period through the mid- to late 1990s, making the finals from 1997 to 2000.
The Bulldogs eventfully lost by 68 points against the reigning premiers who went on to claim their second consecutive premiership in the grand final that following week. The Bulldogs would make their third consecutive top 4 finish in 1999 but they suffered consecutive finals losses to West Coast and Brisbane. In late 1996, the club changed its playing name from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs to market the club more broadly (specifically the western suburbs of Melbourne).
Smorgon served as president from 1996 to 2012, overseeing two rebuilding phases, the erasure of much debt and a period of stability after decades of uncertainty surrounding the club's future. In 2013, the Bulldogs ended their affiliation with Williamstown Football Club, establishing a reserves team in the Victorian Football League for the 2014 season.
The award-winning documentary Year of the Dogs gives an inside look at the Western Bulldogs over the course of the 1996 AFL season. Footscray Bulldogs merchandise is seen to be worn in 1992 film Romper Stomper by the main character 'Hando'.
The branding change worked almost immediately, with the club reaching the Preliminary Final the following year in 1997, and 1998, along with Elimination Finals in 1999 and 2000.
In his honour, the club renamed the Western Oval the Whitten Oval, and a memorial statue of Whitten was erected outside the stadium. Under the tightly focused management of 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 successful period through the mid- to late 1990s, making the finals from 1997 to 2000.
The 1997 season is remembered for the club's cruellest loss, to eventual premiers Adelaide in the preliminary final by two points after leading for much of the game and appearing to be headed for their first grand final since 1961.
To coincide with the change, the club moved their home games from the Whitten Oval, originally to Optus Oval from 1997 to 1999, and then to the newly built Docklands Stadium for the 2000 season. ===2000s=== Main articles: Western Bulldogs seasons 2009 and 2010 During the 2000 season, the Bulldogs handed the eventual premiers, Essendon, their only loss for the year.
Supporters felt that the bulldog typified Footscray's "bulldog spirit" that season, and it became the club's nickname and mascot. ===Grounds=== The club played its home matches at the Western Oval, located in the inner-western Melbourne suburb of Footscray, from 1884 until 1997 (except for a brief period at nearby Yarraville Oval, from 1941 to 1943).
It underwent a A$20 million redevelopment in 2005. Melbourne's Princes Park became the Western Bulldogs' primary home ground from 1997 until 1999.
The branding change worked almost immediately, with the club reaching the Preliminary Final the following year in 1997, and 1998, along with Elimination Finals in 1999 and 2000.
Rohan Smith, Brad Johnson, Chris Grant, Jose Romero, Paul Hudson and company were catalysts in a fine season. The Bulldogs would again feature in the finals in 1998, after heavily defeating West Coast in the qualifying finals, they met Adelaide again in the losing preliminary final.
The branding change worked almost immediately, with the club reaching the Preliminary Final the following year in 1997, and 1998, along with Elimination Finals in 1999 and 2000.
The Bulldogs eventfully lost by 68 points against the reigning premiers who went on to claim their second consecutive premiership in the grand final that following week. The Bulldogs would make their third consecutive top 4 finish in 1999 but they suffered consecutive finals losses to West Coast and Brisbane. In late 1996, the club changed its playing name from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs to market the club more broadly (specifically the western suburbs of Melbourne).
To coincide with the change, the club moved their home games from the Whitten Oval, originally to Optus Oval from 1997 to 1999, and then to the newly built Docklands Stadium for the 2000 season. ===2000s=== Main articles: Western Bulldogs seasons 2009 and 2010 During the 2000 season, the Bulldogs handed the eventual premiers, Essendon, their only loss for the year.
It underwent a A$20 million redevelopment in 2005. Melbourne's Princes Park became the Western Bulldogs' primary home ground from 1997 until 1999.
The team won six premierships between 1925 and 1999.
The branding change worked almost immediately, with the club reaching the Preliminary Final the following year in 1997, and 1998, along with Elimination Finals in 1999 and 2000.
In his honour, the club renamed the Western Oval the Whitten Oval, and a memorial statue of Whitten was erected outside the stadium. Under the tightly focused management of 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 successful period through the mid- to late 1990s, making the finals from 1997 to 2000.
To coincide with the change, the club moved their home games from the Whitten Oval, originally to Optus Oval from 1997 to 1999, and then to the newly built Docklands Stadium for the 2000 season. ===2000s=== Main articles: Western Bulldogs seasons 2009 and 2010 During the 2000 season, the Bulldogs handed the eventual premiers, Essendon, their only loss for the year.
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 excellent play.
They became the first team since Adelaide in 2000 to miss the finals in successive years after a premiership triumph. ====2019–20: Return to the finals==== The Western Bulldogs started the 2019 season well after winning their first two games, defeating Sydney by 17 points in Round 1 and Hawthorn by 19 points in Round 2.
Following the demise of AFL reserves competition in 2000, the reserves team was dissolved and a reserves affiliation was established with the new Victorian Football League's two western clubs: Werribee, from 2001 to 2007, and Williamstown, from 2008 until 2013. After a fifteen-year recess, the club re-established a stand-alone reserves team to compete in the Victorian Football League from 2014 onward.
The Bulldogs missed out on the finals over the next two seasons; in 2001, six players were in New York City during the September 11 attacks while they were attending the 2001 US Open.
The Bulldogs then notched up their first away win against Adelaide since 2001, kicking eight goals to one in the third quarter to win by 32 points.
Following the demise of AFL reserves competition in 2000, the reserves team was dissolved and a reserves affiliation was established with the new Victorian Football League's two western clubs: Werribee, from 2001 to 2007, and Williamstown, from 2008 until 2013. After a fifteen-year recess, the club re-established a stand-alone reserves team to compete in the Victorian Football League from 2014 onward.
Terry Wallace left the club with one match left in 2002 and assistant coach Peter Rohde took charge.
Philanthropist and long-time Bulldogs supporter Susan Alberti was elected to the club board in December 2004.
After two miserable seasons, the Bulldogs appointed Rodney Eade as coach in 2005.
Improvement was immediate, with the Bulldogs winning 11 games and finishing ninth on the ladder in 2005, missing out on the finals by just half a game.
It underwent a A$20 million redevelopment in 2005. Melbourne's Princes Park became the Western Bulldogs' primary home ground from 1997 until 1999.
Missing the finals dealt a blow to both players and supporters of the team, as late season success led to the team being considered real premiership contenders. 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.
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 excellent play.
They won the Elimination Final against Collingwood in front of 84,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and reached the semi-finals before being defeated by eventual Premiers the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval. On 5 August 2006, Chris Grant broke the Western Bulldogs record for the most senior AFL/VFL games at the club.
On 16 August 2006, the league announced that the Bulldogs' Sydney "home" game would be played at Manuka Oval, Canberra in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Prior to the 2007 season, the Bulldogs made a splash by trading for Brisbane midfielder Jason Akermanis.
However, the club broke its membership record in 2006 and continued to sustain these figures before another significant increase in 2010.
On 16 August 2006, the league announced that the Bulldogs' Sydney "home" game would be played at Manuka Oval, Canberra in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Prior to the 2007 season, the Bulldogs made a splash by trading for Brisbane midfielder Jason Akermanis.
They were premiership favourites early on in 2007, but yet again injuries took their toll, and they faltered in the last seven rounds, losing six games and drawing one, to finish 13th. In the 2008 pre-season they traded away Jordan McMahon to Richmond and Sam Power to North Melbourne.
Following the demise of AFL reserves competition in 2000, the reserves team was dissolved and a reserves affiliation was established with the new Victorian Football League's two western clubs: Werribee, from 2001 to 2007, and Williamstown, from 2008 until 2013. After a fifteen-year recess, the club re-established a stand-alone reserves team to compete in the Victorian Football League from 2014 onward.
On 16 August 2006, the league announced that the Bulldogs' Sydney "home" game would be played at Manuka Oval, Canberra in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Prior to the 2007 season, the Bulldogs made a splash by trading for Brisbane midfielder Jason Akermanis.
They were premiership favourites early on in 2007, but yet again injuries took their toll, and they faltered in the last seven rounds, losing six games and drawing one, to finish 13th. In the 2008 pre-season they traded away Jordan McMahon to Richmond and Sam Power to North Melbourne.
In 2008, the Bulldogs were widely predicted for the bottom four after the pre-season, but 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 Bulldogs lost their preliminary final match against reigning premiers Geelong. Much was expected of the Bulldogs following their 3rd-place finish in 2008.
The Bulldogs managed win by 24 points, earning the right to play Geelong in the first week of the finals. ===2010s=== There was media expectation that the Western Bulldogs would again feature in the top four in 2010 after doing so in 2008 and 2009.
Following the demise of AFL reserves competition in 2000, the reserves team was dissolved and a reserves affiliation was established with the new Victorian Football League's two western clubs: Werribee, from 2001 to 2007, and Williamstown, from 2008 until 2013. After a fifteen-year recess, the club re-established a stand-alone reserves team to compete in the Victorian Football League from 2014 onward.
To coincide with the change, the club moved their home games from the Whitten Oval, originally to Optus Oval from 1997 to 1999, and then to the newly built Docklands Stadium for the 2000 season. ===2000s=== Main articles: Western Bulldogs seasons 2009 and 2010 During the 2000 season, the Bulldogs handed the eventual premiers, Essendon, their only loss for the year.
On 16 August 2006, the league announced that the Bulldogs' Sydney "home" game would be played at Manuka Oval, Canberra in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Prior to the 2007 season, the Bulldogs made a splash by trading for Brisbane midfielder Jason Akermanis.
They began the 2009 season with a 63-point thrashing of Fremantle in Perth, and then recorded solid wins over North Melbourne and Richmond before losing their next three games to West Coast (in Perth), Carlton and St Kilda.
The Bulldogs managed win by 24 points, earning the right to play Geelong in the first week of the finals. ===2010s=== There was media expectation that the Western Bulldogs would again feature in the top four in 2010 after doing so in 2008 and 2009.
They finished tenth with an 11–11 win-loss record, becoming the first team since Hawthorn in 2009 to miss the finals the year after winning the premiership.
To coincide with the change, the club moved their home games from the Whitten Oval, originally to Optus Oval from 1997 to 1999, and then to the newly built Docklands Stadium for the 2000 season. ===2000s=== Main articles: Western Bulldogs seasons 2009 and 2010 During the 2000 season, the Bulldogs handed the eventual premiers, Essendon, their only loss for the year.
The Bulldogs managed win by 24 points, earning the right to play Geelong in the first week of the finals. ===2010s=== There was media expectation that the Western Bulldogs would again feature in the top four in 2010 after doing so in 2008 and 2009.
However, the Bulldogs exceeded expectations to finish the home-and-away season in sixth position to feature in the finals for the first time since 2010.
In the elimination final, they lost to Adelaide by 7 points in front of over 60,000 fans at the MCG, the largest crowd at any Bulldogs game since the 2010 finals. ====2016: AFL premiership==== The Bulldogs fought through numerous injuries in 2016 to finish 7th in the home and away season.
However, the club broke its membership record in 2006 and continued to sustain these figures before another significant increase in 2010.
However, after a promising pre-season, the Bulldogs failed to make their first grand final in 49 years after being demolished by in the first round of the finals, coming back against the Sydney Swans and losing again to St Kilda in the preliminary final, captain Brad Johnson's last game. The pain of three consecutive Preliminary final exits took its toll in 2011.
The Bulldogs finished 2011 with a 9-win, 13-loss record for the season.
Shortly after the 2011 season was completed, long-time Geelong and Essendon assistant Brendan McCartney was appointed as the senior coach on a three-year contract.
During the following months, the Bulldogs assembled a coaching panel consisting of senior coach McCartney, former Geelong and St Kilda ruckman Steven King, former Sydney Swans and North Melbourne midfielder Shannon Grant, former Bulldogs champion and 300 game player Rohan Smith, and former Bulldogs and Port Adelaide player Brett Montgomery. In October 2012, long-time president David Smorgon stepped down from the role to be replaced by former president Peter Gordon.
Smorgon served as president from 1996 to 2012, overseeing two rebuilding phases, the erasure of much debt and a period of stability after decades of uncertainty surrounding the club's future. In 2013, the Bulldogs ended their affiliation with Williamstown Football Club, establishing a reserves team in the Victorian Football League for the 2014 season.
Smorgon served as president from 1996 to 2012, overseeing two rebuilding phases, the erasure of much debt and a period of stability after decades of uncertainty surrounding the club's future. In 2013, the Bulldogs ended their affiliation with Williamstown Football Club, establishing a reserves team in the Victorian Football League for the 2014 season.
Following the demise of AFL reserves competition in 2000, the reserves team was dissolved and a reserves affiliation was established with the new Victorian Football League's two western clubs: Werribee, from 2001 to 2007, and Williamstown, from 2008 until 2013. After a fifteen-year recess, the club re-established a stand-alone reserves team to compete in the Victorian Football League from 2014 onward.
The team has since won two VFL premierships, in its first and third seasons of competition. ==AFL Women's team== In June 2013, the Western Bulldogs fielded a women's football side against in the first AFL-sanctioned women's exhibition match, held at the MCG.
Smorgon served as president from 1996 to 2012, overseeing two rebuilding phases, the erasure of much debt and a period of stability after decades of uncertainty surrounding the club's future. In 2013, the Bulldogs ended their affiliation with Williamstown Football Club, establishing a reserves team in the Victorian Football League for the 2014 season.
The success flowed onto the field as well, with the club securing the VFL Premiership in its first season in the competition since 1924, defeating the Box Hill Hawks by 22 points in the VFL Grand Final. Following a disappointing season in 2014, the Bulldogs endured a tumultuous off-season.
On 28 February 2018 it was announced that Sid had died at age 9.5 years old. ===Banners=== In 2014, the Bulldogs accepted an offer from comedian and supporter Danny McGinlay to write the messages that appear on the club's banners.
Following the demise of AFL reserves competition in 2000, the reserves team was dissolved and a reserves affiliation was established with the new Victorian Football League's two western clubs: Werribee, from 2001 to 2007, and Williamstown, from 2008 until 2013. After a fifteen-year recess, the club re-established a stand-alone reserves team to compete in the Victorian Football League from 2014 onward.
In January 2015, Simon Garlick resigned as CEO.
Luke Beveridge was appointed senior coach for the Bulldogs and club stalwart, Robert Murphy was appointed captain. Many predicted the Bulldogs to struggle in 2015 after losing over 700 games of experience during the off-season, and those feelings were further strengthened when Tom Liberatore, the reigning Charles Sutton Medallist, went down with a rupture to his anterior cruciate ligament in the NAB Challenge match against Richmond.
In 2015, the club reached 35,000 members for the first time, and ended the season with an official tally of 36,213.
The Western Bulldogs (formerly the Footscray Football Club) is a professional Australian rules football club based in the inner-west Melbourne suburb of Footscray, Victoria.The club was founded in 1877 and has competed in the Australian Football League (AFL) since 1925. The Bulldogs have won two senior VFL/AFL premierships, in 1954 and 2016, and was runner up in 1961.
In the elimination final, they lost to Adelaide by 7 points in front of over 60,000 fans at the MCG, the largest crowd at any Bulldogs game since the 2010 finals. ====2016: AFL premiership==== The Bulldogs fought through numerous injuries in 2016 to finish 7th in the home and away season.
Staring at a third consecutive year out of the finals with a disappointing 5–8 record at the end of Round 14, the Bulldogs would go on to win seven of their last nine matches of the season, securing a spot in the finals for the first time since the 2016 premiership after defeating Adelaide by 34 points in Round 23.
In 2016, the Bulldogs equalled the club's previous year's tally by mid-May, and again reached record-breaking membership numbers by July, with 39,459 fans having signed up.
In 2016, when the AFL announced plans for AFL Women's, an eight team national women's league competition, the Bulldogs were asked to submit an application for a license alongside other AFL clubs.
Former Monash Blues (VAFA) coach Paul Groves was named as the team's first head coach and football manager in August 2016.
The club has also fielded a team in the second-tier VFL Women's league since 2016, the league's inaugural year. ===Current squad=== ===Season summaries=== AFL Women's ^ Denotes the ladder was split into two conferences.
They decided to gift the medal to the Bulldogs museum. ====2017–18: Post-premiership disappointment==== Despite a promising start to the 2017 season, which saw the reigning premiers win five of their first seven matches, the Western Bulldogs went on to lose six of the next eight games.
Sid, the club's previous real-life mascot, officially retired his club jumper at Etihad Stadium on 6 May 2017 and was given a lap of honour for his seven years of service to the Western Bulldogs. During home games, Caesar has a reserved area at the Footscray End (Gate 7), where fans can come and give him a pat and have their photo taken.
The club was a foundation member of the AFL Women's (AFLW) national competition and claimed their inaugural senior women's premiership in the league in 2018. The Western Bulldogs' home guernsey features two thick horizontal hoops—one red and one white—on a royal blue background.
On 28 February 2018 it was announced that Sid had died at age 9.5 years old. ===Banners=== In 2014, the Bulldogs accepted an offer from comedian and supporter Danny McGinlay to write the messages that appear on the club's banners.
They became the first team since Adelaide in 2000 to miss the finals in successive years after a premiership triumph. ====2019–20: Return to the finals==== The Western Bulldogs started the 2019 season well after winning their first two games, defeating Sydney by 17 points in Round 1 and Hawthorn by 19 points in Round 2.
Much like in 2019, some inconsistent form throughout the season had threatened to derail the Bulldogs' finals hopes.
Despite having strong form heading into the finals and having defeated eventual finals opponent Greater Western Sydney by 61 points in Round 22, the Bulldogs were thrashed by 58 points in their elimination final encounter with the Giants who went on to play in the grand final. The Western Bulldogs entered the 2020 AFL season looking to improve on their disappointing finals exit.
However, they secured their spot in the 2020 finals series following a five-goal victory over Fremantle in the final round of the shortened home-and-away season.
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