Bulldog Team of the Century 2000-2100: Nominations Open:

[bulldogtragic]

I thought I'd start a thread for our great grand kids on the basis that WOOF and the internet don't become irrelevant by year 2100.

Over the next 87 years we shall nominate players we think should be in the squad.

- My only rule is 100 games as a minimum. (* Note they need to be played from 2000 onwards)
- Best and Fairests are not automatic entry, although 2 wins or more are.
- A Brownlow is automatic selection into the squad, but not the final team.
- Players who leave for another club can be nominated (see the previous team of the century).
- Players inducted into previous team must have played 100 games after 2000.
- The amount of players named on the interchange shall be six (6), or more if the level has risen as at year 2100.
- Any "subs" or similar shall be included into the interchange bench of six (6).
- There shall be no "emergency" list.
- There shall be only one (1) Senior Coach Listed.

This thread will be around in 87 years so please... To make a nomination, please select your player, the position you want AND a fall back position (ie Full Forward, or Forward Pocket or Onball, or Half Back Flank. (* especially if someone plays 'centre' or 'rover')

Please Read Carefully before contributing:

Please be serious, no stupid nominations, please give a detailed reason as to why (this should be no less than 100 words) it should include a bio of games, goals, relevant averages, positions played, leadership roles and an opinion piece on how they played and what they contributed to the Western Bulldogs Football Club and why they should be immortalised over others.

* The following post (post 2 in this thread) shall be updated while I'm alive with the squad.
* Every decade ending, starting from 2020 the squad shall be placed in the best team available from the squad and updated every decade ending.

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad:

Brad Johnson (forward / half forward / midfield)
Scott West (centre / follower / wing)
Luke Darcy (ruck / forward pocket)
Rohan Smith (forward / back pocket / flank)
Chris Grant (CHF /CHB / forward / back)
Nathan Eagleton (wing / flanks forward or back)
Ryan Hargrave (half back flank / back pocket)
Brian (Harris) Lake (full back / centre half back)
Dale Morris (back pocket, 3rd tall back)
Robert (Bob) Murphy (half back flank / half forward flank)
Matthew Boyd (midfield / back flank)
Will Minson (ruck/second ruck interchange)
Liam Picken (midfield / forward)
Daniel Giansiracusa (forward)
Easton Wood (defender)
Lindsey Gilbee (defender)
Marcus Bontempelli (midfield / forward)

[LostDoggy]

#36 Brian Lake, 197 games, 32 goals, 2002-2012, Defender, 195cm, 104kg, from Woodville West-Torrens, (SA).

Nominated for: Full Back.
Alternatives: Back Pocket, Centre Half Back.

Achievements/Awards:
Best and Fairest: 2007 (1)
All-Australian: 2009, 2010 (2)

Brian Lake, born Brian Harris, came to the Club as a raw key position defender taken with Pick 71 at the 2001 AFL Draft. However, by 2005 he was regarded as one of the competitions prominent full-backs, his continued growth culminating with the Best and Fairest award for the 2007 season.

A "defensive gorilla", Lake was best known for his incredible ability and confidence to out-muscle his opponent and take big, contested marks, often on the last line of defence, instead of spoiling. This was aided by his excellent reading of the game, allowing him to leave his opponent when necessary to help out his team-mates and take marks from opposition kicks. At his best, Lake would also rack up the possessions and provide drive into the Bulldogs attack.

By 2009 Lake was arguably the AFL's best full-back, ratified by his inclusion in the All-Australian team in the back pocket next to Matthew Scarlett of Geelong, perhaps the greatest full-back of all time. In 2010 Lake was clearly the game's best, highlighted by his staggering 41 possession, 22 mark game in Round 9 against North Melbourne. This culminated in another All-Australian selection, this time at full-back.

As prolific as Lake was, he was occasionally prone to brain fades, "fondly" known to Bulldogs supporters as "Brain Leaks". The most controversial of these resulted in a free kick and goal to Nick Reiwoldt of St Kilda during the 2009 Preliminary Final, a game the Bulldogs eventually lost by 9 points.

Regardless, Brian Lake will be remembered as arguably the Western Bulldogs greatest ever full-back. He was traded to Hawthorn before the beginning of the 2013 season.

[westdog54]

#38 Dale Morris, 173* games, 33 goals, 2005-2014*, Defender, 190cm, 93kg, from Werribee (VFL).

Nominated for: Back Pocket
Alternatives: Half Back

Achievements:
2008 All Australian

Afer initailly being overlooked in the draft, Morris spent four years playing for VFL club Werribee before being drafted to the Western Bulldogs at Selection 19 in the 2005 Rookie Draft. Morris would play 17 games that year and quickly cemented himself in the Bulldogs line-up with his ability to shut down any defender and extraordinary pace, tall or small, that he was matched up against. It came as no surprise when he was elevated to the senior list at the end of the 2005 season. His meteoric rise as a footballer in 2005 was capped with Selection in Kevin Sheedy's new-look International Rules side

Morris' consistency as a defender was rewarded in 2008 with selection in the 2008 All Australian team at back pocket.

Universally praised for his courage and work ethic, Morris would have his career halted by a severe leg break at the end of the 2011 season, which would see him miss all of 2012. Fears that he may not return to the game were emphatically quashed in 2013, with Morris returning as though he had never left, finishing 5th in the Bulldogs best and fairest and winning the Scott West 'Most Courageous Player' Award.

Although his playing career is yet to conclude, there is no doubt that Morris will be fondly remembered as one of the finest players ever to don the Red, White and Blue, and a continuing living example of the success of the Rookie List.

[1eyedog]

#2 Robert Murphy, 295* games, 173 goals, Defender, 186cm, 82kg, from Warragul / Gippsland Power. Draft 13th overall, 1999

Nominated for: Half back Flank
Alternatives: Half forward Flank

Achievements:

Most Promising 2001
AFL Rising Star Nominee 2001
International Rules Series 2002, 2003
Best Team Person 2003
2008 Victoria (Australia) Victoria 1 (1)
All-Australian Team 2011
All-Australian Captain 2015

Robert 'Bob' Murphy has given 295 professional, consistent and most importantly, loyal, games to the Bulldogs despite limited on-field success.
He arrived at the kennel as a skinny 17-year-old who looked nothing like a footballer, but has turned into a champion of his club.
The Bulldog spent the middle part of his career playing as a hard-running, undersized centre-half-forward with fantastic awareness, good pace and elite disposal.

He later moved back to defence where his decision-making and execution by both hand and foot was a feature of his game.
Murphy is in the twilight of his career and it is a shame that he is likely to join the long list of quality footballers who go unrewarded with a premiership. Murphy was rewarded with an All-Australian cap in 2011 but stated after that his greatest achievement was winning Best Team Person in 2003 and that is why we love him. Murphy is a true Bulldog of old who relishes the history around the club and all the club stands for.

Playing ability aside, Murphy is regarded among the AFL community as a champion bloke. The Eagles sent him from the field with a guard of honour, such is the respect that club has for him.

Murphy is highly articulate and his insights into the game are often fascinating. His dry wit and honesty makes him perfect for television and he is a regular guest on the AFL360 programme.

[bulldogtragic]

Fair Call 1eyedog!!

[bornadog]

Future nomination but not yet - Jake Stringer

[westdog54]

Matthew Boyd
248 Games 82 Goals
midfielder/defender 184cm 88kg
Recruited From Frankston (VFL)
2002 Rookie draft pick 23

Nominated for: Midfield
Alternative: Half back

Honours
All Australian 2009, 2011
Charles Sutton Medal 2009, 2011, 2012
Club Captain 2011-2013
Rose Sutton Medallist 2007

After being overlooked in the draft, Boyd plied his trade in the VFL at standalone club Frankston before being thrown a lifeline by the Western Bulldogs in the 2002 Rookie draft. Boyd debuted in 2003 and played the early part of his career as a run-with midfielder and struggled to cement his place in the team.

Boyd's career was reinvigorated under coach Rodney Eade, becoming a ball-winning midfielder. His form was recognised by two Charlie Sutton medals and two All Australian appearances. Boyd's manic professionalism and leadership was further recognised by his appointment as Club Captain in 2011.

Despite the Bulldogs poor form under Coach Brendan McCartney, Boyd continued to lead by example, winning the 2012 Sutton Medal.

A drop in form in 2013 led to Boyd standing down as Captain for the 2014 season to focus on football. Out of contract, Boyd's future was uncertain and opinion divided amongst supporters, with Boyd eventually signing a one year deal, prior to the Bulldogs' turbulent off season.

Boyd was given a new lease of life under new coach Luke Beveridge. Moved from the Midfield to half back, Boyd is enjoying a reinvigorated career, defying critics by regularly featuring in the bests for the Bulldogs in his new role.

Throughout his career, Boyd had compensated for a lack of talent through his manic professionalism, work ethic, leadership and will to succeed. He has been a shining example to young footballers everywhere.

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Picken
Int: Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain.
Coaches to pick from: Wallace, Rhode, Eade, McCartney, Beveridge

[Twodogs]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain .

Johnno as captain.

[Eastdog]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Picken
Int: Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain.
Coaches to pick from: Wallace, Rhode, Eade, McCartney, Beveridge

Bevo as coach right now. The captain that's a tough one.

Quite a few changes I'd imagine to that team stated in 2015. Bonti, Libba, Wallis potentially

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This With KT's nomination of Easton Wood (Great nomination BTW):

B: R. Hargrave B. Lake D. Morris
HB: R. Smith E. Wood R. Murphy (C)
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken
Int: W.Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant


Amazing backline starting to emerg. If Gilbee gets nominated it will start our first Article 36 process on the backline.

Available to be nominated: Dahl, Libba, Roughy, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Gilbee, Cross, Gia, Robbins, McMahon.

[Twodogs]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This With KT's nomination of Easton Wood (Great nomination BTW):

B: R. Hargrave B. Lake D. Morris
HB: R. Smith E. Wood R. Murphy (C)
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken
Int: W.Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant


Amazing backline starting to emerg. If Gilbee gets nominated it will start our first Article 36 process on the backline.

Available to be nominated: Dahl, Libba, Roughy, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Gilbee, Cross, Gia, Robbins, McMahon.

Who are we going to drop from the backline? If anyone even thinks of saying Rohan Smith I will hit them with a stick.

[bulldogtragic]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This With WD54's nomination of Daniel Giansiracusa (Another great nomination):

B: R. Hargrave B. Lake D. Morris
HB: R. Smith E. Wood R. Murphy (C)
C: N. Eagleton S. West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: B. Johnson Vacant D. Giansiracusa
R: L. Darcy, M. Boyd, L. Picken
Int: W.Minson, Vacant, Vacant, Vacant

Starting to fill out nicely. Although no eligible full forward in 17 years.

Available to be nominated: Dahl, Libba, Roughy, Higgins, Gryphone, Cooney, Hahn, Gilbee, Cross, Robbins, McMahon.

[westdog54]

Bulldogs Team of The Century Squad - As Nominated By You, The WOOFERS is Developing Like This:

B: Hargrave Lake Vacant
HB: R. Smith Morris Murphy
C: Eagleton West Vacant
HF: Vacant C. Grant Vacant
F: Johnson Vacant Vacant
R: Darcy, M. Boyd, Vacant

Tough to pick a captain.

Murph