The Western Bulldogs (formerly Footscray) have a rich 100-year history in the VFL/AFL filled with many ups and downs. Their supporters have been through a lot from fighting to keep their club from disappearing in 1989 to ultimate premiership glory in 2016.
The club from the western suburbs will be known as Footscray when they take on Collingwood at the MCG on Friday to commemorate their long-standing place in football's history.
The Bulldogs will don a specially designed guernsey to pay tribute to all those involved in the club's 100 years and will welcome club greats and legends to the ground to celebrate.
But with a history of only two premierships and many stories on either side of that ultimate glory, we thought we'd make a list.
Here is a compilation of the Bulldogs' most memorable, significant and defining games throughout their history...
2. Preliminary Final, 2016 – GWS Giants vs. Western Bulldogs
Many would argue that this is the greatest game the Bulldogs have played in their 100-year history and they might very well be right. The match kicked off a fierce but, admittedly, short-lived rivalry between the two sides, born from pure, hard-nosed football. The pace was frantic and it remained tight down to the final moments, culminating in a Tory Dickson shot at goal after the siren. This opportunity came about thanks to a mature decision from Jake Stringer, who chose to pass up his own shot to allow Dickson to run down the clock, a move that epitomised the unselfish spirit that defined the Bulldogs' run.
Up until that point, the Bulldogs had won only one of 10 attempts in the penultimate match of the season, so when the final siren blew, it was an overwhelming flood of emotions for the fans. The relief and joy of securing a spot in the Grand Final was unlike anything many of them had experienced before. This game was more than just a contest, it was a culmination of so many storylines. There was the memorable moment when Luke Beveridge, purchased breakfast for the supporters on the bus ride up to Sydney. Then, there was the emotional moment when Luke Darcy, calling the game as a commentator, heard the siren and realised the Bulldogs had secured their Grand Final berth, a full-circle moment for the former player and a fitting touch to an unforgettable season. This game was a true testament to the heart and character of the Bulldogs, with moments of brilliance, camaraderie and resilience etched into the club's legacy. They came away with a six-point win in the end but the job was not finished at that point.
