Western Bulldogs' top 10 players of the decade

2016 was easily the year of the decade for the Dogs, as they broke their premiership 54-year premiership drought. It hasn't been smooth sailing since then, but here are the best 10 players of the decade for the boys from Whitten Oval. Ryan Griffen Was at the club for five years this decade, limiting his chances at a higher finish - but he did play his best footy during this period. After battling injury early in his career, Griffen became an important factor as the Dogs continued to push towards a Grand Final. With two Sutton Medals (Best & Fairest) under his belt (2010, 2013) and an All-Australian jacket in 2013, he also setting a club record for most disposals in a match (47) matched by Jack Macrae later in the decade. Arguably one of the best midfielders in the league for this small period, Griffen was a consistent performer who also captained the Dogs for one season in 2014. Easton Wood The 2016 premiership captain, Wood represents every bit of the word leadership. A career-best year in 2015 honoured him with the club's best and fairest and All-Australian honours. Wood has made a living off courageous intercept-marking and above-average rebounding. Despite never being a high ball-winner, the Bulldogs former skipper is a major weapon for the red, white and blue setting up the players in front of him for many, many seasons. One of just two inside the top 10 who has played each season since 2010 with the club. With the ability to play on both smalls and talls, Wood rarely puts a foot wrong. [caption id="attachment_33603" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Easton Wood of the Bulldogs celebrates victory at the final whistle during the round 22 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Western Bulldogs at GIANTS Stadium on August 18, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Daniel Giansiracusa Finishing his career 11th for most games played with the Bulldogs, and 9th most goals scored in the clubs history - 'Gia' was an excitement machine even in his twilight years. With 14 seasons in the league, Giansiracusa played his best seasons in front of goal during 2010-2013, kicking 144 goals over those four seasons, leading the club's tally through two of those seasons. As a 31-year-old in 2013, the classy medium-sized forward was given club-man of the year. One of the more versatile players throughout his career, he had consecutive years leading the club's goal assists, an unselfish footballer who was loved by the Footscray faithful. Luke Dahlhaus With eight seasons at Whitten Oval, Dahlhaus came into the league as a sensational ball-winner who could go forward and be damaging - oh and how can we forget those dreadlocks. With a hairstyle that would have attracted scouts, it didn't take long for Dahlhaus to cement his spot, playing every game of the season in just his third year with a career-high 28 majors. By the time 2014 came around, Dahlhaus was a solid contributor within a decent midfield. As the Dogs went on a dream run in 2016, Dahlhaus enjoyed a career-best year averaging 26 disposals, 5.4 tackles and 4.0 inside 50's per game. [caption id="attachment_20221" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Luke Dahlhaus of the Bulldogs reacts after missing a goal during the round three AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Essendon Bombers at Etihad Stadium on April 8, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)[/caption] Jackson Macrae As consistent as they come, Jack Macrae is starting to get the well-deserved recognition late in the decade - receiving his maiden All-Aus jacket in 2019. Playing 13 games in his debut season and amassing 18 disposals per match, this would be the final time he averaged under 25 for a season. In year two, Macrae showed no signs of second-year blues averaging a remarkable 27 disposals to finish second in his club's best and fairest, at just 20 years of age. The knock on Macrae was always his usage, but the past two seasons have been nothing short of epic as he has fast become one of the best natural ball-winners of the decade. A hard-runner and tackling machine, Macrae has increased his disposal average each season (most recently 33 per game), and only now entering his prime years. [caption id="attachment_27247" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Jack Macrae of the Bulldogs celebrates after kicking a goal during the round 20 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Dale Morris A true warrior and champion, a Bulldog through and through. Dale Morris just kept giving even when his body could not. A reliable defender who shut down some of the game's best forwards, both small and tall. Morris made one-percenters an attractive stat, and had one of the best months of his career during the Bulldogs' premiership tilt. Running down superstar Lance Franklin in the dying stages of the Grand Final, for Tom Boyd to kick a clutch goal will likely down as the greatest moment in the club's history. Durable, versatile, resilient are just a few words to describe Morris, who leaves a might legacy at the 'scray. Liam Picken Like Morris behind him, Picken was never one for flashy highlights or bulk possessions, he was purely a footballer's footballer. In his early years, Picken made a name for himself playing the traditional tagging role, and he was undoubtedly one of the best to do it. A hard-working, low-profile scrapper who won the hearts of Dogs fans once Luke Beveridge entered the club. Beveridge gave him a more attacking role. In 2015, he averaged 24 touches and 6.5 tackles, but we were all witnesses to what he achieved in 2016, kicking three crucial goals on the biggest stage of them all. The club awarded him with 'Best Finals Player', there's just no denying his greatness. [caption id="attachment_21946" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Liam Picken of the Bulldogs handballs during a Western Bulldogs AFL training session at Whitten Oval on May 22, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Robert Murphy The wonderful Bob Murphy, a resounding leader in every facet of the word. He made a career as one of the top rebounding defenders in the game. Murphy finished second in the club's 2011 best and fairest, while also getting All-Australian honours in 2011. In 2015, he received his second team of the year honours, this time being named the captain of the All-Australian side. The Dogs' captain for three years, he famously missed the '16 premiership after suffering a season-ending injury during the home and away season. An integral part of what the club stands for, Murphy showed elite foot skills all the way through until his retirement year. One of only seven Bulldogs in the 300 club. [caption id="attachment_32782" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Robert Murphy of the Bulldogs wins the coin toss during the 2017 AFL round 23 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on August 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] Marcus Bontempelli Rising up this list each and every season, 'Bont' has been nothing short of spectacular since entering the league. Directly out of the Northern Knights program, the rangy midfielder can shape a game off his own boot and covers just about every statistical category. In six seasons, he already has a remarkable list of honours. In 2014, he was voted AFL players' best first-year player and best young player in 2015. In his premiership year, Bont was an All-Australian and club best and fairest winner. He went back to back for the Charles Sutton medal in 2017, before being voted the Coaches' player of the year this past season, while also collecting his second All-Aus jacket after being named on the wing. A leader, cult figure and superstar at just 23 years of age, there is no limit to his potential as we enter a new decade. He'll enter 2020 as the club's captain, and could become one of the game's best next season. [caption id="attachment_34003" align="alignnone" width="696"] BALLARAT, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 25: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs high fives fans after winning the round 23 AFL match between the Western Bulldogs and the Adelaide Crows at Mars Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Ballarat, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Matthew Boyd It was an emotional day when both Matt Boyd and Bob Murphy played their final game for the club. The most consistent performer over the decade, Boyd was a three-time All-Australian and three-time Charles Sutton winner. Boyd forged a career as one of the leagues leading ball-winners for a number of years, there isn't much else that needs to be said about one of the most underrated footballers to ever play, tough, resilient and very reliable. A true Bulldogs champion. [caption id="attachment_8146" align="alignnone" width="696"] Matthew Boyd of the Bulldogs celebrates the win on the podium during the 2016 AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 1, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	1	1	0	4	191.3
2	GC	1	1	0	4	181.2
3	GWS	1	1	0	4	128.4
4	COLL	1	1	0	4	118.2
5	WB	1	1	0	4	104.7
6	BL	1	0	1	0	95.5
7	STK	1	0	1	0	84.6
8	HAW	1	0	1	0	77.9
9	GEEL	1	0	1	0	55.2
10	CARL	1	0	1	0	52.3

Western Bulldogs’ top 10 players of the decade

Here are the best 10 players of the past 10 years for the Western Bulldogs.

1. Matthew Boyd

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

“Important game”: Yze highlights significance of season-opener

AFL reserves league on hold as VFL format confirmed

“Footballer’s footballer”: Re-signed Carlton utility’s hidden Blues connection

“Eyeball conversations”: Hawthorn address overseas arrests

Pair of Suns pressing for AFL selection

FOLLOW US