Bulldogs By the Numbers

[Twodogs]

Yes, that's right. In the '85 Prelim, I remember he had three set shots from the boundary Punt Rd end, Members side 35 - 45 mts out and registered 1 behind.

He kicked a sensational goal in the semi v North straight after Simon Beasley kicks his 100th. He typically takes a couple of short steps before the contest but tgen smothers a kick on the half forward line before scooping up the ball and kicking it across his body from 50-60 metres out. It's one of the best goals I've ever seen.

33.40 on this video

[Twodogs]

Mathew Boyd took over #5 from Rohan Smith in season 2007. Previous to that he had worn #42 for four seasons.

Matthew Keith Boyd (born 27 August 1982) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Western Bulldogs in the Australian Football League (AFL). Before joining the Bulldogs, Boyd had played for Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup and Frankston in the VFL.[1] He currently holds the record for the most AFL games played by a player recruited from the rookie draft.[2] Boyd is the grand nephew of Australian football vendor icon Johnny Boyd, known as the Peanut Man.[3]

Matthew Boyd

Boyd playing in March 2017.

Personal informationFull nameMatthew Keith BoydDate of birth27 August 1982 (age 38)Original team(s)Frankston (VFL)
Dandenong Stingrays (TAC Cup)DraftNo. 23, 2002 rookie draftHeight184 cm (6 ft 0 in)Weight88 kg (194 lb)Position(s)Defender / midfielderPlaying career1YearsClubGames (Goals)2003–2017Western Bulldogs292 (86)International team honoursYearsTeamGames (Goals)2008–2010Australia4

Career highlights

AFL premiership player (2016)3× Charles Sutton Medal (2009, 2011, 2012)3× All-Australian team (2009, 2011, 2016)Western Bulldogs captain (2011–2013)Pre-season premiership player: 2010Bob Rose–Charlie Sutton Medal: (2007)

Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

"Keithy" Boyd is the greatest nick name of all time.

[merantau]

That was a great goal and a terrific game to watch. We had some great players in that team. I REALLY enjoyed that trip down memory lane. Simon Beasley was a gun forward. The Hawk Steve Wallis, Jim Edmond, Choco 'Polly' Purser Magic, Fossie Rick Kennedy et al - top side. Thanks for sharing

[Twodogs]

That was a great goal and a terrific game to watch. We had some great players in that team. I REALLY enjoyed that trip down memory lane. Simon Beasley was a gun forward. The Hawk Steve Wallis, Jim Edmond, Choco 'Polly' Purser Magic, Fossie Rick Kennedy et al - top side. Thanks for sharing

There were some really tough cookies in that team.

[merantau]

So, now it's time to fill in some gaps re our #6. After Charlie retired the next significant player to wear #6 was Keith Beamish, a local whose brother Barrie also played for us. But I think he played Reserves.

Keith debuted in 1959 playing 7 games. He took over the #6 in 1960 and played another 7 games.
In 1961 he established himself as our 2nd rover and played 20 games including the GF against Hawthorn
He was badly injured and was carried off just before half time from memory. I assume it was a knee injury because he did not appear in the firsts again spending 1962 in the Reserves.

[merantau]

1963 saw the debut of all-time supporter favourite George Bisset. Hailing from the Braybrook Football Club, George quickly found his groove and won the Club's goal kicking award in his first season. He went on to win it another 4 times - 64, 67, 69 and 70 and he won the B&F in 1969.

Standing 168cms or 5'6", and weighing 70kg or 11 stone George had a ton of guts and didn't take a backward step - from anyone. He didn't care how big they were - George would hold his own. Mind you he did have EJ in his corner! The two of them developed an uncanny understanding of where they each were and George would often run on to a perfectly placed hand pass to stick one through the big sticks.

George was born on March 10, 1943 so will turn 78 next month. He would have won the Brownlow in 1969 if he had not been reported in the July 12 Match against Carlton. He and Ian Robertson were reported for striking each other. The charges were dismissed but because he'd been reported he was ineligible to receive votes. He kicked 6 goals and had 30+ possessions. Kevin Murray won by one vote from George. Injustice reigned again!
In 1973 the League introduced the short lived "10 Year Rule". After 10 years with service with one club players were allowed to transfer to another without obtaining a clearance.

This rule was instituted to avoid the launching of 'restraint of trade' actions which had become prominent in NSW rugby league circles.
Twenty-two players were eligible and 6, included George, made use of it.
George went to the Pies for 2 seasons. North picked up Doug Wade, Barry Davis, John Rantall and the '75 Premiership. We picked up Adrian Gallagher and Carl Ditterich went to Melbourne.

All up George played 166 games and kicked 288 goals in a 10 year career with us. At Collingwood he played 41 games and booted 49 goals. He retired at the end of the 1974 season.

I am not sure of Bulldogs supporters reaction to George's departure as I was o/s at the time.

George was selected to play at half forward in the Bulldogs Team of the Century. He maintained his involvement with us coming back as a specialist coach for a number of years. A truly great player who was a standout during some lean years. Much loved.

[merantau]

For the record: in George's 10 seasons with us we finished (position - wins) - 9-7, 7-9, 10-4, 10-4, 12-4, 10-5, 11-6, 7-11, 8-11 and 7-11.

When George went to Collingwood he played in a winning Semi-Final against Carlton in which he was the leading goal kicker with 3 and in the losing Prelim the following week against Richmond he was the leading possession winner with 31.

[merantau]

Thanks to Wickipedia and AFL tables for research into players' records.

[bornadog]

He and Ian Robertson were reported for striking each other. The charges were dismissed but because he'd been reported he was ineligible to receive votes. He kicked 6 goals and had 30+ possessions. Kevin Murray won by one vote from George. Injustice reigned again!

Another unfair system by V/AFL where umpires didn't wait till the tribunal hearing and gave votes straight after the game.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

1963 saw the debut of all-time supporter favourite George Bisset. Hailing from the Braybrook Football Club, George quickly found his groove and won the Club's goal kicking award in his first season. He went on to win it another 4 times - 64, 67, 69 and 70 and he won the B&F in 1969.

Standing 168cms or 5'6", and weighing 70kg or 11 stone George had a ton of guts and didn't take a backward step - from anyone. He didn't care how big they were - George would hold his own. Mind you he did have EJ in his corner! The two of them developed an uncanny understanding of where they each were and George would often run on to a perfectly placed hand pass to stick one through the big sticks.

George was born on March 10, 1943 so will turn 78 next month. He would have won the Brownlow in 1969 if he had not been reported in the July 12 Match against Carlton. He and Ian Robertson were reported for striking each other. The charges were dismissed but because he'd been reported he was ineligible to receive votes. He kicked 6 goals and had 30+ possessions. Kevin Murray won by one vote from George. Injustice reigned again!
In 1973 the League introduced the short lived "10 Year Rule". After 10 years with service with one club players were allowed to transfer to another without obtaining a clearance.

This rule was instituted to avoid the launching of 'restraint of trade' actions which had become prominent in NSW rugby league circles.
Twenty-two players were eligible and 6, included George, made use of it.
George went to the Pies for 2 seasons. North picked up Doug Wade, Barry Davis, John Rantall and the '75 Premiership. We picked up Adrian Gallagher and Carl Ditterich went to Melbourne.

All up George played 166 games and kicked 288 goals in a 10 year career with us. At Collingwood he played 41 games and booted 49 goals. He retired at the end of the 1974 season.

I am not sure of Bulldogs supporters reaction to George's departure as I was o/s at the time.

George was selected to play at half forward in the Bulldogs Team of the Century. He maintained his involvement with us coming back as a specialist coach for a number of years. A truly great player who was a standout during some lean years. Much loved.

George Bisset never wanted to leave Footscray but wasn’t highly paid at the time and needing to buy his house at the time received an attractive offer from Collingwood under the 10 Year rule which the Bulldogs were not prepared to match. George rarely misses a WB game with his wife Kath and continues to be a passionate Life Member. He was encouraged to take on the role of Chairman of Selectors when Terry Wheeler was appointed Coach in 1990. George has an uncanny knowledge of the game and a true Bulldog.

[merantau]

George Bisset never wanted to leave Footscray but wasn’t highly paid at the time and needing to buy his house at the time received an attractive offer from Collingwood under the 10 Year rule which the Bulldogs were not prepared to match. George rarely misses a WB game with his wife Kath and continues to be a passionate Life Member. He was encouraged to take on the role of Chairman of Selectors when Terry Wheeler was appointed Coach in 1990. George has an uncanny knowledge of the game and a true Bulldog.

Thanks for that insider heads up. I suspected as such and hope that
supporters at the time showed no ill will toward him because he really was a champion player for us who gave his all. One of the greats.

[bornadog]

Thanks for that insider heads up. I suspected as such and hope that
supporters at the time showed no ill will toward him because he really was a champion player for us who gave his all. One of the greats.

As a kid loved Georgie.

He visited our school fete when I was around 13 years old and I chatted with him and got his autograph. It was a big thrill, especially those days when players were not very accessible.

[merantau]

Gary "Crazy Horse" Cowton had a 13 year 199 game career played in 4 stints at 3 clubs. He spent '79 and '80 with us wearing #6 for 40 games.

[Twodogs]

Gary "Crazy Horse" Cowton had a 13 year 199 game career played in 4 stints at 3 clubs. He spent '79 and '80 with us wearing #6 for 40 games.

We exchanged Gary Dempsey for Cowton, John Moylan and Mark Williams. The most memorable thing I remember Williams doing was riding his motorbike into the clubrooms before training one night and getting a bollocking from Charlie Sutton (pretty sure it was Charlie) for it.

Moylan was a steady player who played 17 games in 1980 but only 4 in 1981 and was off the list. Between them the three players we got in exchange for Dempsey played 62 games in 2 years (Cowton 40, Moylan 17 and Williams 5) for us.

Gary Dempsey played 122 in 6 seasons for North, including 117 in his first 5. Fair to say we got our pants pulled down on that trade.

[merantau]

Stuart Wigney played 47 games for us between '88 and '91 and wore #6 in his last 3 seasons. He looked like a really good player at times but never took the next step to cement his spot.