Bulldogs By the Numbers

[Twodogs]

My memory of Bernie at Footscray is an unusual mark he took at fullback. He was standing behind the goalpost and took the mark with his arms wrapped around it. That and my dad would always say "Bernie's on" if he got a kick early in the game.

He should be an in demand kicking coach. He could teach a few players how to kick the ball properly.

[bornadog]

Another notable number two of the past who I never saw was Alan Hopkins, who got a retrospective Brownlow.

Hopkins is also a legend in our hall of fame.

[jeemak]

You have to be a bit of a freak winning a Brownlow twelve years after you've debuted and winning a Coleman in each of your fourteenth and fifteenth seasons kicking over 100 in each.

[merantau]

You have to be a bit of a freak winning a Brownlow twelve years after you've debuted and winning a Coleman in each of your fourteenth and fifteenth seasons kicking over 100 in each.

You are so right Jeemak. It is with a heavy heÃ*rt that I post these highlights. He makes G Ablett Snr look pedestrian.

https://youtu.be/VPZnIIGK9xg

[merantau]

I know he's not a #2 and I know he's not a Bulldog, but this clip from YouTube appeared on the same page as Bernie's and I just couldn't ignore it. This bloke could play.

https://youtu.be/X4ayD0PkZmg

[merantau]

Seasons '79 - '81 saw #2 donned by the imposing figure of Shane Loveless a 6'5" behemoth recruited from Sale. He only played 28 games but booted 72 goals. I saw him kick 8 against Hawthorn at the Western Oval.
When we recruited Simon Beasley, Shane found playing Reserves was not to his liking so he went back to country football. All up he played for 16 clubs retiring at 46 after kicking over 2000 goals. A pretty solid effort. He was a big boy.

[merantau]

Our next #2 of note was Jim Sewell who played 76 times between '83 to '86 and kicked 62 goals. He played 7 years at East Fremantle and was CHF in their 1979 Premiership team. He originally played with us as a defender but soon found himself in the forward line where he became a solid contributor.

[merantau]

Richard Cousins joined us in '87 from Central Districts and played 60 games for 21 goals. He played originally at CHF but when Andrew Purser retired he became our number 1 ruckman

[merantau]

Starting in 1990, Keenan Reynolds wore #2 for 74 games in 5 seasons. He was a solid defender who kicked the the ball long and was good in the air. He was also thrown forward when the need arose. He went to North Melbourne for two years before retiring.

[merantau]

Season 1987 saw one of my favourite players debut - Steve, "Billy the Kid", Kolyniuk. He originally wore #59, then #21 before taking on #2 for the last 5 or 6 years of his 177 game 198 goal career. He was forced to retire due to chronic injury problems. He was an exciting player who created nightmares for defenders with his pace, balance and "hard at it"attitude.
This article bears testament to his quality - a real Warrior of the West.

The day ‘Bill the Kid’ made his Bulldog debut… https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/n...-bulldog-debut

[Bulldog4life]

Another notable number two of the past who I never saw was Alan Hopkins, who got a retrospective Brownlow.

Hopkins is also a legend in our hall of fame.

Sorry BAD Hopkins was number one. I posted it for the number ones

[Bulldog4life]

Sorry BAD Hopkins was number one. I posted it for the number ones

Just saw Hopkins played in number 2 also BAD. Cheers.

[merantau]

Billy the Kid turns on the after burners. I've posted this clip before and I soppose most, if not all, have seen it live or or the web. But, like a good wine, it just gets ...

https://youtu.be/qrCBGfn-WFw

[bornadog]

Just saw Hopkins played in number 2 also BAD. Cheers.

Played in the number 2 for 28 games then switched to number 1.

[Twodogs]

Played in the number 2 for 28 games then switched to number 1.

Took number 1 when he became captain and kept it as playing coach. Interestingly even though he was playing coach he was never actually captain coach. Somebody else was captain when Hopkins was playing and coaching us.