Bulldogs By the Numbers

[Bulldog4life]

I was gutted losing Georgie Bissett to Collingwood. One of my favourite players ever who played for the doggies. Had a lot of spunk on the field too not afraid to take anyone on. A very reliable goal kicker too even in the mud and slush in those days. Glad he still goes to the games too. Back in his rightful home. As has been said should have creamed the Brownlow but was disqualified by an antiquated silly rule.

[merantau]

Mitch Hahn was good in the forward 50 too.

https://youtu.be/ywkRWES_Y1g

[merantau]

Lachie Hunter highlights package.

https://youtu.be/HDVUitAQF7c

[merantau]

In 2014 #8 was taken over by Stewart Crameri. He had two great seasons with us booting 69 goals in 40 games playing inside forward 50 and winning the goal kicking award in 2014. He also won Essington's goal kicking 3 times - 2011-2013.

Forced to stand out in 2016 as a result of Essington's blatant disregard of practically everything that governs decent practice and behaviour he was denied the opportunity to play in a Premiership.

He was never the same player and struggled with injury. He only played 2 games in 2017 and was traded to Geelong - an ordinary ending to the career of a very good footballer who played a career 103 games and kicked 171 goals.

[Twodogs]

In 1994 we recruited Daniel Southern from Claremont where he'd just played in a Premiership. Solidly built (92kg) he stood 6'2" and took no prisoners.
He quickly became a crowd favourite with his straight ahead style and bold personality.
He wore #8 for 7 seasons and played 103 games for us. He battled knee injuries throughout his career and his early retirement was a big blow.

I knew I was forgetting a #8 in the tough guy club.

[Twodogs]

In 2014 #8 was taken over by Stewart Crameri. He had two great seasons with us booting 69 goals in 40 games playing inside forward 50 and winning the goal kicking award in 2014. He also won Essington's goal kicking 3 times - 2011-2013.

Forced to stand out in 2016 as a result of Essington's blatant disregard of practically everything that governs decent practice and behaviour he was denied the opportunity to play in a Premiership.

He was never the same player and struggled with injury. He only played 2 games in 2017 and was traded to Geelong - an ordinary ending to the career of a very good footballer who played a career 103 games and kicked 171 goals.

I am pretty sure that we didn't trade Stu to Geelong. We delisted him and I think that they picked him up in the rookie draft.

[merantau]

I am pretty sure that we didn't trade Stu to Geelong. We delisted him and I think that they picked him up in the rookie draft.

Yes, thanks for that. You are right. It was a damn shame he had to stand aside because those first two years with us were very good.

[bornadog]

My favourite number 8 was Rick Kennedy. Tough as nails and never shirked a contest.

[merantau]

In 2018 Jackson Trengove arrived from Port Power and stayed for three seasons wearing the #8. His first two years produced 32 games: his last only one. He played 185 games in his 11 year career - an admirable achievement.

He fell in between two roles - ruckman/key defender - and probably suffered because of it. I felt he was under utilised in the ruck. He certainly would have been handy in that 2019 Elim against GWS

[merantau]

So that concludes #8. "Looking back in retrospect" (as the King of the Unintentional Tautology, the late Rex Mossop would say) we can conclude that the #8 has been a very good one for the Club. From season 1956 onwards we've had an almost unbroken line of good, to excellent, to star players in the #8 guernsey.

So, finally in conclusion as we wind up this examination of the #8, let me recapitulate back to what I said previously - the #8 has been a very good one for the Club.

Next up we'll take a look at #9 beginning with 1954 Premiership hero Don Ross. Stay tuned.

[Twodogs]

Just before we leave #8 I want to point out that Bonnie Toogood is a bit of a star.

[merantau]

Premiership hero Don Ross from North Albury wore #9 for 129 games during seasons '52 - '58. He played centre in '54 but was also used as a ruck rover and half forward. He won our B&F in 1956. He has just turned 87. An excellent player who, apart from 3 games in his first season, never missed a game after that.

[merantau]

Cameron McDonald, '59 - '63 played 42 games and was a member of our 1961 GF team playing 2nd ruck and forward pocket..He wore #8 for 2 years then switched to #9 for his last three. He was a noted amature wrestler. Passed away in 2014 aged 73.

[merantau]

Our next #9 of note was Laurie Sandilands who had a 12 year career with us beginning as a 17 year old in 1966. From WFFC he quickly found himself in the big time. In his fifth game down at Geelong he was switched on to a rampant Doug Wade after half time and held him to two goals - stamping himself as a player to be looked out for.

Early in his career he was a defender but he really blossomed as a full forward and he won our goal kicking 4 seasons in a row - '72 - '75. His best year was '74 when he kicked 50. He captained the club for three seasons, played 160 games and kicked 228 goals. A Bulldog thru and thru.

[merantau]

Laurie in action.

https://youtu.be/kvAe0EN8z38