Bulldogs By the Numbers

[Bornadog]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

1986 saw Greg Epplestun debut wearing #46. He switched next season to #12 and wore it for the rest of his 7 year career with us which yielded 102 games and one goal.. A tough, dour defender he took some big scalps down back. Went to North for one year but injured his groin in the first round and the injury got the better of him and forced retirement.

I remember Greg fixing up Ablett a few times and frustrating him. One game, Ablett gave him a big whack in the stomach, but to Greg's credit (after the pain went away), continued to beat him.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

"James Cook appeared in the #12 in season 1996 and played 4 seasons. From Carlton he was a good leading, strong marking, long kicking full forward. He played 49 games and booted 96 goals.

I acknowledge Wikipedia for the following on his career with us.


After struggling in his first year at Footscray, Cook played the best football of his career in 1997, with the club now re-branded the Western Bulldogs. He kicked 36 goals for the season, 17 of them in the final three games as the Bulldogs fell just short of making a Grand Final, to finish third in their goal-kicking behind Simon Minton-Connell and Chris Grant. His run started in round 22 when he kicked seven goals and three behinds against Hawthorn. He then kicked a game high four goals to help his club defeat Sydney in the Qualifying Final, outperforming Swans forward Tony Lockett. Cook then kick six goals in the preliminary final against Adelaide. He could have had seven, but an apple thrown from the crowd disrupted the kick when he went for his seventh goal. This would prove to be costly, as the crows came back to win by two points, ending the Bulldog's season.

In 1998 he kicked 23 goals from 11 appearances and in 1999 he finished with 32 from 19 games. On five occasions during this time he kicked five goals or more but also played many games where he saw little of the ball and he was offloaded to Melbourne in the 1999 Pre-Season Draft."

You just knew it wasn't to be our game when a bloody thrown apple costs us a goal.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

Was Dell's nickname "Ding Dong"?

It took me a while to remember but his nickname was "Cedel" after a popular brand of soap.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

Tom Williams was with us for 8 seasons - '07 to '14. A Queenslander from a rugby background he spent more time in the medical room and doing re-hab than he did on the training track or running around in games - 8 years for 83 games.

I believe he donated his collection of moon boots to NASA. Tom had tremendous mental toughness. Only the most determined could get through what he endured and I'm sure he earned the respect of all at the Club. He could play. It was just tragic that his body and rotten luck conspired to hold him back.

From Wikipedia: "On 4 October 2007, Williams and fellow team member Daniel Cross leaped into the water of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong to rescue a woman attempting to commit suicide. The woman did not want to be saved. They hauled her to safety after hearing bystanders screaming for help. When they emerged from the harbour they both had minor bruises and cuts. Both were reported to be in good spirits after the incident.[5]

Following the incident, both Williams and Cross were awarded certificates of commendation by Hong Kong's Director of Marine.[6]"

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

Zaine Cordy arrived wearing #12 in 2015. He has played a number of roles in his six seasons which have seen him run out 85 times. Back up ruck, defensive forward, defender - he has done whatever has been asked.
His 2016 finals series was excellent. He kicked some really important goals. His crunching tackle and goal from the boundary got us up and running in the GF. He plays his role and it's handy to have a player with his versatility to call on.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

2001 - 2014 - 15 years, 265 games, 331 goals - Daniel Giansiracusa. Gia was a super player. Taken at pick 32 in the National draft he booted a goal with his first kick.
A very reliable kick for goal, clever, unselfish - in short a great team player.
Daniel captained our 2010 NAB Cup winning team in Jonnos absence. Later in his career he played the "sub" to perfection. I remember the game against Richmond when he outsmarted Brandon Ellis to give us the win. Great servant of the club and much loved.

[Bornadog]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

2001 - 2014 - 15 years, 265 games, 331 goals - Daniel Giansiracusa. Gia was a super player. To be continued

Is Gia the best number 13?

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

Is Gia the best number 13?

By far. For a number of seasons it wasn't used.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

Champion ruckman John Schultz debuted in 1958 wearing #32. He switched to #14 in '59 and wore it for the remainder of his 188 game 11 year career.
Brownlow Medalist 1960, 5 times B&F, All - Australian, played 21 games for the Vics, chosen by the VFL to explain the game to Queen Elizabeth, Bulldog Team of the Century, AFL Premiership Cup Ambassador on the Big Day in 2016 - a giant of the Club.

He was a tireless ruckman for us. Strong but scrupulously fair he played his heart out for the RWB. Much loved man.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

Debuting in 1969 Barry Round played in #14 for 135 games kicking 136 goals. He was a giant of a man standing 6'4" and weighing 17 stone.
At Sydney, in 1981 he won the Brownlow alongside Bernie Quinlan - bitter pill to swallow.

After 193 games with the Swans he went to Williamstown as captain coach. He won the Liston Trophy in 1987 and the Norm Goss Medal for the best player in the 1990 GF when he was 40 years old. He retired in 1991 aged 41 after playing 438 games of senior football in which he kicked 396 goals over a 23 year career in the VFL, AFL, VFA - a truly remarkable achievement.

[Twodogs]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

You just knew it wasn't to be our game when a bloody thrown apple costs us a goal.

Ironically I was reading a footy book just the other day and it mentioned that it happened to Doug Wade in the late '60s. It was against Carlton I think and cost Geelong the chance to win the game.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

1978 - 86 saw Robert Gronewegen wear the #14 for 79 games. He lost the entire 1981 season due to a knee reconstruction.

Ex-Braybrook, "Groner" played as a key forward or in the ruck. He went to Tasmania to continue his footballing career and achieved success in playing and coaching with Glenorchy and North Launceston.

Is now Ground Manager at York Park and has had a successful print and radio career in Tasmania. Member of the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

1994 saw the arrival of Luke Darcy in the #40 jumper. He took over #14 the next year and wore it until retirement in 2007 - 226 games, 183 goals 97 behinds.

Son of Bulldog great David Darcy, Luke established himself quickly as a skilled, mobile ruckman who could take a mark and kick a goal.

B&F winner 2001. Leading goalkicker 2004 - a very fine player indeed.
In Rd 6 2005 against Geelong he injured his knee and then in Dec 2005, in the last training session of the year, he dislocated his knee and lost the entire 2006 season - terrible.

Luke was a terrific player for us who forged a wonderful career.

[merantau]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

2008 saw Callan Ward arrive wearing #14. He was with us for 4 years and played 60 games. Given his Western Suburbs background it was very sad that he left for GWS. He turned his back on us. He left his mates. It cost him a Premiership. You make your bed, you lie in it.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Bulldogs By the Numbers

2008 saw Callan Ward arrive wearing #14. He was with us for 4 years and played 60 games. Given his Western Suburbs background it was very sad that he left for GWS. He turned his back on us. He left his mates. It cost him a Premiership. You make your bed, you lie in it.

Too soon