Best Player ever

[Captain Sensible]

Ok everyone lets hear your best bulldog player ever. You must have seen him play.

[Top Dog]

Have to say Granty. I did see Dougie but was to young and cant remember much now and although Ted was probably the best i never saw him or that premiership :mad:

[bulldogs1]

I'm split between Granty for his longevity and pure skill, and Templeton with his impact as FF and CFH, and ability to kick bags of goals.

I think I will go with Templeton, sorry Chris.

[Waltzing Woof Biscuit]

I'm just besotted with Granty. But I love 'em all :)

[Captain Sensible]

Has to be Kelvin for me too.

He single-handedly a/ gave me a reason to go to the footy in my teenage years.
b/ gave us something to brag about at high school in the '70s
c/ kicked those 15 in 78


Libba No 2.
Grant 3rd
The Hawk 4th


I should have added Steve Wallis as well.

Should we do a poll for the worst as well? :cool:

[K9-54]

I saw Ted Whitten play but was too young then to remember it now so have left him out.

Grant is number 2 - absolute class on and off the field.

Dempsey number 3 - the most reliable player I have ever seen - he just kept taking marks.

Templeton number 4 - yep, the day of the 15 was a fantastic day - but his 1980 season at CHF was the most dominant season I have ever seen - he was unbeatable.

But my number 1 is Doug Hawkins. He could just do things (at least for the first two thirds of his career) that others couldn't. And I used to love that louder than usual roar that would greet a Dougie goal at the Western Oval.

Apologies to all those other champions too.

[Dogs_R_Us]

Read this:

http://worldcrossing.com/WebX?14@220.hTzqbmk7LuI^202873@.eed6a49

and the thread, My Thoughts (not written by me) and you will know why I voted for Chris Grant.

[Chicago1]

For me :

1. Gary Dempsey - he got me hooked on Aussie Rules at the first match I ever saw in April 1976. His marking was god-like. If not for him, I'd probably be an Essendon or North Melbourne supporter. Come to think of it...... it's HIS fault that I've suffered for over 24 years!

2.Chris Grant - kept me a Doggie supporter when I almost gave them away. A role model on and off the field.

3. Doug Hawkins - what I love about the best of the Australian persona - loyal, hard working and a larrikin.

Might have had Templeton on my list (sent my Godson a Footscray jumper with 31 on the back the day after he was born), but I still can't forgive him for going to Melbourne. Totally devastated me when he did it and I still remember how I felt at the time.

Struth..... I had to look up larrikin in an Aussie Slang Dictionary to find out the spelling. I've been away too long! :D

[sigscotty]

Originally posted by Chicago1


Struth..... I had to look up larrikin in an Aussie Slang Dictionary to find out the spelling. I've been away too long! :D

I wouldn't worry, considering it was Dougie you were talking about it would have been fitting had you got the spelling wrong. :D

[SOTS]

Gary Dempsey was magic to watch, but I have to vote for Chris Grant. Very difficult to compare players from different eras, not only has the game changed but I have too.

SOTS

[Captain Sensible]

Originally posted by Chicago1
For me :

1. Gary Dempsey

Might have had Templeton on my list (sent my Godson a Footscray jumper with 31 on the back the day after he was born), but I still can't forgive him for going to Melbourne. Totally devastated me when he did it and I still remember how I felt at the time.

:D

I never got so concerned about Kelvin leaving as it was one of the only times that we came out in front from losing one of the endless stream of superstar players in the '70s or '80s.

But Gary Dempsey leaving cut me to the core. Had to go to North of all clubs. In those days the dislike between our clubs was almost palpable. Has made their team of the century and would also be in ours. It took me a long time to forgive him but at least he is home again now.:)

[the ghost of alby smedts]

I would agree with local. Templeton, was in the year he won the brownlow the most dominant footballer I have seen. We had a poor side yet he was just awesome.
Local I do question that he was the sole reason for you going to the footy in those days. I thought picking up your pay packet would have been a good enough reason to go.
I remember the day he kicked 15 goals 8 and the crowd ran on the ground in the middle of the last quarter.It was wild but I think it stopped his run a bit maybe he could have kicked another couple. If only they didnt have such slack ground staff in those days hey local...LOL

[Chicago1]

Originally posted by localyokel


I never got so concerned about Kelvin leaving as it was one of the only times that we came out in front from losing one of the endless stream of superstar players in the '70s or '80s.

But Gary Dempsey leaving cut me to the core. Had to go to North of all clubs. In those days the dislike between our clubs was almost palpable. Has made their team of the century and would also be in ours. It took me a long time to forgive him but at least he is home again now.:)

Templeton went to Melbourne purely for the money. Dempsey went to North to play in a premiership side. Considering how bad we were back then, my respect for his decision was easy. Now, Templeton, on the other hand, went to another struggling side who had no more hope of playing finals footy then we had back then. Notice how 'loyal' he is to the Bulldogs now - seems to like the Sydney lifestyle - typical.

I remember the first match we played against the Demons after Templeton sold us out. He was injured and couldn't play, so sat up in the Whitten Stand in the visiting team reserved area. After the match, I did something awful which I'm still proud of today - as I was leaving the stand, I dropped a handful of one and two cent pieces in front of him. He didn't say anything, but the people around him did. Of course, I was congratulated by the Doggie supporters who saw it! Not bad for a "visitor" to your country (as I used to call myself way back then!), eh??? :D

Oh, the happy memories of the 'good old days'! :p

[Waltzing Woof Biscuit]

Yeah C1 :) Great effort. I was 13 when Templeton left the Doggies, and like LY, was DEVASTATED. But in the pre-season comp the following year, we had half a new side - Choco Royal, Andrew Purser, Ian Williams, Jim Sewell, Stephen Lunn, Chris Hansen, Mark Kellet. The 1983 side, without Kelvin, kicked arse compared to the 1982 side. It was a nice surprise, especially when we defeated the reigning premiers in Round 2.

Remember when we played Melbourne in 1985 at the Western Oval? Melbourne had 3 Brownlow medalists in their side - including Templeton. We slammed them by 120 points. I still dream about that game. Did it really happen? Are other Bulldogs supporters with me when I say that I LOVE one-sided games, when the Doggies are pumping the opposition. Many would disagree, but I guess that I just saw too many games when I was younger where the Doggies were the 'pumpee' and not the 'pumper.'

[Captain Sensible]

Originally posted by the ghost of alby smedts

Local I do question that he was the sole reason for you going to the footy in those days. I thought picking up your pay packet would have been a good enough reason to go.

Yes well that had a little to do with it-Although that day I wasnt working

I remember the day he kicked 15 goals 8 and the crowd ran on the ground in the middle of the last quarter.

15.9 actually Ghost

It was wild but I think it stopped his run a bit maybe he could have kicked another couple. If only they didnt have such slack ground staff in those days hey local...LOL

Well then the ground staff at the 'G can be a bit slack too hey Ghosty? We should ask Mr. McGuiness perhaps?:D

[HahnPremium8]

Chris Grant would have to be the best player i've seen.

Hawkins, Libba, West and Wynd are the only others i've seen play.

[Chicago1]

Originally posted by Waltzing Woof Biscuit
Yeah C1 :)
Are other Bulldogs supporters with me when I say that I LOVE one-sided games, when the Doggies are pumping the opposition. Many would disagree, but I guess that I just saw too many games when I was younger where the Doggies were the 'pumpee' and not the 'pumper.'

My favourite was in May 1977 or 78(?) when we beat Essendon by 100 points at Windy Hill. I remember meeting two of my Form 4 students there - one was a Collingwood supporter who barracked for the Doggies that day in the hope of getting a better grade in English (didn't work!) - and the other a one-eyed Bombers supporter. I had a great time that day and an even better one in class the following Monday. Needless to say, victories like that were a very rare occurrence back in those days! We were normally on the receiving end of slaughters like that!

[Captain Sensible]

Originally posted by Chicago1


I remember the first match we played against the Demons after Templeton sold us out. He was injured and couldn't play, so sat up in the Whitten Stand in the visiting team reserved area. After the match, I did something awful which I'm still proud of today - as I was leaving the stand, I dropped a handful of one and two cent pieces in front of him. He didn't say anything, but the people around him did. Of course, I was congratulated by the Doggie supporters who saw it! Not bad for a "visitor" to your country (as I used to call myself way back then!), eh??? :D

Oh, the happy memories of the 'good old days'! :p


I can remember my father coming home and telling me about a supporter he had seen do that to Templeton. He was rapt. He was also the grand stand attendent so I doubt you would have been in to much strife.

I did a similiar thing once the year after Hardie had left the club.
The ball had gone through for a point and I picked it up( I was the ground attendent) When I looked up and saw who was waiting to kick the ball out instead of throwing it to him, I dropped it and walked away. He came over and picked up the ball and muttered some dire threats in my ear. I've always felt a bit bad about that.


BTW I remember that 100 point win against the Bombers(Well you dont forget them!) It was in 1977. I stood on the top of a pie stand between the two stands.

[K9-54]

Originally posted by localyokel
But Gary Dempsey leaving cut me to the core.
It upset me at the time too. But I could understand why and I never lost respect for him. Even while he was playing for North, I still thought of him as a Bulldog and enjoyed watching him. What really disappointed me however, was the first time he played at the Western Oval for North and got booed. I could not understand how any of our supporters could boo one of our champions who had given so much for us on the field.

Templeton - I didn't still embrace him the way I did Dempsey when he left, but I wouldn't have done that C1. Can understand though.

Hardie - completely different case and emotions to the other two. Nowhere near the same contribution to us before he left. Again I wouldn't have done that LY, but nor would I have been upset at seeing anyone else do it.

[Chicago1]

Originally posted by localyokel



I can remember my father coming home and telling me about a supporter he had seen do that to Templeton. He was rapt. He was also the grand stand attendent so I doubt you would have been in to much strife.


BTW I remember that 100 point win against the Bombers(Well you dont forget them!) It was in 1977. I stood on the top of a pie stand between the two stands.

LOL, local! At least you've finally met the culprit who did it! Maybe what I did can now officially go into Bulldog folklore! I wonder if Templeton still remembers the incident!

I thought the match at Windy Hill was in '77. Thanks.

Almost forgot the bit about Hardie..... my Year 7 class bought me a Footscray jumper for my birthday in '85 and had 5 sewn on the back by one of the mothers. I wore it proudly around school the morning after he won the Brownlow. The funny thing was that they only collected enough money to buy a sleeveless jumper - how unHardielike!

Almost forgot, too..... my Year 8 class bought me a Footscray jumper for my birthday the year that Doug Hawkins finished with us. They gave me a 7 separately to have sewn on in case he didn't play for the Doggies the next year. He didn't. The jumper still does not have a number on it.

I also got a poster of Tony McGuiness from two former students for my birthday right before Tony went back to Adelaide.

I guess I must be a jinx! :D

Now, is there anyone you want us to get rid of? My birthday is in 9 days................... LOL ;) :p

[the ghost of alby smedts]

Great yarns local and c1 re Templeton.I remember this one being in pretty bad taste. My memory not being as sharp as yours local (I must have taken different chemicals to you in the 80s) I dont remember the year but it was when Templeton was towards the end and knee injuries had shattered him. The once mighty 65m kicking chf could barely kick 30m. We were standing at the Geelong rd end and a couple of guys in knew rocked up carrying a banner that was rolled up . They did not open it until near the end of the first Q when Templeton was lining up for goal from about 40m. They unrolled the banner in full view of Templeton as he was lining up. It simply read LIGAMENTS. Templeton did not make the distance .....

[Captain Sensible]

Originally posted by Chicago1




.

I guess I must be a jinx! :D

Now, is there anyone you want us to get rid of? My birthday is in 9 days................... LOL ;) :p


The jumpers with No. 9 and No.36 are being couried as we speak.:D

[Captain Sensible]

Originally posted by the ghost of alby smedts
Great yarns local and c1 re Templeton.I remember this one being in pretty bad taste. My memory not being as sharp as yours local (I must have taken different chemicals to you in the 80s) I dont remember the year but it was when Templeton was towards the end and knee injuries had shattered him. The once mighty 65m kicking chf could barely kick 30m. We were standing at the Geelong rd end and a couple of guys in knew rocked up carrying a banner that was rolled up . They did not open it until near the end of the first Q when Templeton was lining up for goal from about 40m. They unrolled the banner in full view of Templeton as he was lining up. It simply read LIGAMENTS. Templeton did not make the distance .....


I can remember that banner. Up in sydney in the mid-eighties we took two banners. One said 'Edmond Scum' and the other "Doctor X' in reference to a famous (Infamous) Sydney doctor. We put up our two banners up on the hill at the SCG and within ten minutes a couple of heavies came over and confiscated 'Doctor X' but left the 'Edmond Scum' one behind. Go figure.

[Captain Sensible]

Originally posted by the ghost of alby smedts
Great yarns local and c1 re Templeton.I remember this one being in pretty bad taste. My memory not being as sharp as yours local (I must have taken different chemicals to you in the 80s) I dont remember the year but it was when Templeton was towards the end and knee injuries had shattered him. The once mighty 65m kicking chf could barely kick 30m. We were standing at the Geelong rd end and a couple of guys in knew rocked up carrying a banner that was rolled up . They did not open it until near the end of the first Q when Templeton was lining up for goal from about 40m. They unrolled the banner in full view of Templeton as he was lining up. It simply read LIGAMENTS. Templeton did not make the distance .....


I can remember that banner. Up in sydney in the mid-eighties we took two banners. One said 'Edmond Scum' and the other "Doctor X' in reference to a famous (Infamous) Sydney. We put up our two banners up on the hill at the SCG and within ten minutes a couple of heavies came over and confiscated 'Doctor X' but left the 'Edmond Scum' one behind. Go figure.

[Grendel]

Hope you guys dont mind an 'outsiders' view on it.

From the Doggies ive seen, Tempelton and Dempsey dead heat. Templeton for all reasons said, Ligamints sums it up perfectly. If he had sound ones he would be up there with the likes of Carey, Brereton, Hart as one of the best remembered all time CHF's. Dempsey, only ruck I saw who consistetly beat S.Madden (the best ruck ive seen).

They would be my top two, followed by Dougie (wonder if in another life he could have been a ballet dancer and im serious!) Grant (taken the Hawks apart on to many occasions) Wynd (his grunt and work rate were never appreciated enough imho) and Braddie Johnston (cant figure how his name hasnt popped up in this thread).

Anyways thats my take on it.

Cheers.

[Chicago1]

Your comments are welcome, Grendel. It's good to see an "enemy" point of view! ;)

I have to admit, I always have been a Brereton fan. I even bought a Dermie badge after the '89 Grand Final! What talent... what skill... what strength! He was always exciting to watch. I liked the fact that he took as good as he gave. No whining like some current captains!

The first GF I went to was in '76! Were you there? What an experience! I wonder what it's like to win one.......... :( - Please see signature.:rolleyes:

[Grendel]

Originally posted by Chicago1
Your comments are welcome, Grendel. It's good to see an "enemy" point of view! ;)

I have to admit, I always have been a Brereton fan. I even bought a Dermie badge after the '89 Grand Final! What talent... what skill... what strength! He was always exciting to watch. I liked the fact that he took as good as he gave. No whining like some current captains!

The first GF I went to was in '76! Were you there? What an experience! I wonder what it's like to win one.......... :( - Please see signature.:rolleyes:

Thanks Chicago1, re 76 i was there but was only a wee tacker (11) and dont really remember it all that well. More the feeling of joy mixed with real sorrow (l lost my father and Crimmo that year). :( So i always look back on that as a kind of strange blend of emotions. 78 was great, 13 and starting to appreciate the game more. The Eighties... well spoilt rotten during those times.

Some of my worst memorys (in a best kind of way) are those howling gales out at the Western Oval watching the Hawks play the Scraggers and while the wins were great i can also recall the 'upsets' when the likes of Super Macpherson, Templeton, Edmond and of course Dougie would turn it on and leave me feeling very depressed.

Still thats the joys of footy. Re your signature, hope you get one soon (not before the Hawks of course) as with a bit more luck (and a goal ump who can see, of course that was a goal to Libba!!) you should have and could have come away with a GF win only a couple of seasons back. Footys got a funny way of never doing just what you expect it to.

Again, thanks for the welcome.

Cheers.