Bulldogs By the Numbers

[Twodogs]

Geoff Jennings was a gun in #25.

[merantau]

John Jillard played 189 games for us in the #25. A tough, uncompromising half back he was part of our #61 GF team, played for Victoria, was elected in the Bulldogs Team of the Century and won the B&F in 1967.
After leaving the Bulldogs he played for Latrobe FC in Tasmania where he won two B&Fs in 1970 and '71. Also played for Ainslie FC
John is a member of the Bulldogs Hall of Fame. He passed away i 1998 aged 57. He was a very fine footballer for us. 189 games - one goal, kicked in Round 15, 1965 against St.Kilda. Played his last game for us in Round 2, 1970 and went out a winner when we defeated Essendon.

[merantau]

From '74 to '83 Geoff Jennings played 137 games and kicked 136 goals wearing the #25. He was a very classy rover with great pace and a good football brain.

He captained the Club from '79 to '81 and played for Victoria 3 times

[merantau]

From '94 to '98 Jason Watts played 57 games and kicked 51 goals. He won our goal kicking in 1986 playing at full forward. He kicked 44 goals in 20 games.

From Wikipedia:

"Watts was recruited by Footscray on the back of his strong 1993 season at Werribee, when he won their best and fairest award in a premiership year. Picked up in the 1994 Pre-Season Draft, Watts appeared in 21 games for Footscray, including a qualifying final, in his first year at the club. He played as a small forward in 1996 and was the leading goal-kicker for the Bulldogs, with 44 goals from his 20 games. Over the next two years he added only five more games to his tally."

[Before I Die]

John Jillard played 189 games for us in the #25. A tough, uncompromising half back he was part of our #61 GF team, played for Victoria, was elected in the Bulldogs Team of the Century and won the B&F in 1967.
After leaving the Bulldogs he played for Latrobe FC in Tasmania where he won two B&Fs in 1970 and '71. Also played for Ainslie FC
John is a member of the Bulldogs Hall of Fame. He passed away i 1998 aged 57. He was a very fine footballer for us. 189 games - one goal, kicked in Round 15, 1965 against St.Kilda. Played his last game for us in Round 2, 1970 and went out a winner when we defeated Essendon.

I started attending games in the mid 60s (1960s that it) and John Jillard was my first football hero. They were lean times and he was a standout at the time.

[Before I Die]

From '94 to '98 Jason Watts played 57 games and kicked 51 goals. He won our goal kicking in 1986 playing at full forward. He kicked 44 goals in 20 games.

From Wikipedia:

"Watts was recruited by Footscray on the back of his strong 1993 season at Werribee, when he won their best and fairest award in a premiership year. Picked up in the 1994 Pre-Season Draft, Watts appeared in 21 games for Footscray, including a qualifying final, in his first year at the club. He played as a small forward in 1996 and was the leading goal-kicker for the Bulldogs, with 44 goals from his 20 games. Over the next two years he added only five more games to his tally."

My memory was that he played full forward, starting out of the square. I think the description "played as un undersized full forward" would be more apt.

[merantau]

My memory was that he played full forward, starting out of the square. I think the description "played as un undersized full forward" would be more apt.

Your memory is correct.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

I started attending games in the mid 60s (1960s that it) and John Jillard was my first football hero. They were lean times and he was a standout at the time.

I mwt John's wife whilst attending a Dog's match at GABBA in either 97 or 98. John couldn't attend as he was very ill with cancer at the time, and passed not too long after. His wife spoke very fondly of the club and she was attending the game on John's behalf.

[merantau]

From '99 to '02 Kingsley Hunter played 57 games in the #25. He played at both ends of the ground and booted 20 goals in 2000 and also won Goal of the Year.

We got him from Freo in exchange for Brad Wira. He was a big unit - 6'3" and 102 kg. He played full forward at Freo. We used him both in defence and up forward.

He went to Hawthorn in '93 and played a couple of game for them.

Kingsley Hunter - Goal of the Year.

https://youtu.be/QCvoThFacDQ

[merantau]

From '02 to '12 Ryan Hargrave played 203 games..He started wearing #25 after his first season. He was a terrific player for us. Originally from Perth "Shaggy" was one of those players that you could totally rely on. I really admired him.

[merantau]

From '13 to '16 Koby Stevens played 63 games in the #25. Robust and committed he was a tough, uncompromising inside mid fielder who gave it his all. Went to St Kilda but was forced into retirement due to persistent concussion. Injury problems probably cost him a place in our GF team as he had an excellent 2016..We have certainly had some grand players wear the #25.

[bornadog]

From '02 to '12 Ryan Hargrave played 203 games..He started wearing #25 after his first season. He was a terrific player for us. Originally from Perth "Shaggy" was one of those players that you could totally rely on. I really admired him.

My daughters favourite as a kid

[merantau]

Between '53 and '55 Jack Nuttall played 27 games in the #26. He played 16 games in '54 and was a member of the 1954 Flag team.

A 6'1" 83kg defender he was recruited from Sunshine.

[bornadog]

Between '53 and '55 Jack Nuttall played 27 games in the #26. He played 16 games in '54 and was a member of the 1954 Flag team.

A 6'1" 83kg defender he was recruited from Sunshine.

Pretty sure I went to school with a Nutall in West Sunshine, maybe a relative.

[merantau]

Between 1959 and 1965 Ray Walker had a seven year career at Footscray which yeilded 73 games a B&F in 1963 and Victorian selection on two occasions. (1960 and 1963)

Described as a rugged defender with good skills he hailed from the famous Braybrook Football Club where no doubt the values of teamwork, courage and determination were instilled in the players.

Ray was a close checking, skillful back pocket who was good in the air. He suffered an eye injury in 1961 which restricted his appearances and Charlie Evans played back pocket in the Finals series and also represented Victoria in 1962. We had another good back pocket too - Owen Madigan. He only got 7 games with us so went to Richmond where he played 40 games.

Ray went to coach in Tassie and achieved immediate success with Burnie as premiership captain-coach in 1966. In 1969 and 70 he coached the Penguin FC.

In 1966 he was a Tasmanian representative at the Hobart Carnival. He was Lefroy Medalist in the Tasmania v Victoria clash of 1967.

When his playing days were over Ray continued his involvement with football through his career as a Channel 9 commentator in Tamania and later as an ABC panellist alongside other football luminaries such as Harry Beitzel, Tony Ongarello, Harry Sullivan, "Chicken" Smallhorn, Doug Bigelow, Butch Gale? and some others whose names I can't recall (perhaps Thorold Merrett). This career spanned the years 1972 to 1987

As well as his broardcasting career Ray served as Victorian Chairman of Selectors from 1981 to 1985 and was Chairman of Selectors at the Bulldogs for 3 years

Ray was awarded Life Membership of the Western Bulldogs in 1999 as recognition of his outstanding service over many years.