Doug Hawkins has been unveiled as the fourth Club Legend in the Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame, announced at the official 2014 Season Launch at Crown Palladium tonight.
Hawkins, who played 329 games for Footscray between 1978 to 1994, was elevated to Legend status after initially being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010 – joining the likes of Charles Sutton, EJ Whitten and John Schultz.
The 53-year-old’s AFL career is filled with accolades, captaining the Bulldogs from 1990-93, winning a Club Best & Fairest (1985), representing Victoria five times, as well as being named as vice-captain of the Footscray -Western Bulldogs Team of the Century.
Three past players were also recognised for their significant and ongoing contributions to the Bulldogs, with Brad Johnson, John Jillard and Rohan Smith inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Embodying the courage and determination of many before him, Jillard forged a successful career on the half back flank beginning in the 1950’s – playing 189 games for Footscray.
Named in the back line of the Footscray-Western Bulldogs Team of the Century, Jillard featured in the 1961 Grand Final and went on to win the Club Best and Fairest in 1967.
The great clubman passed away aged 57, however his children Mark and Kim along with his granddaughter Kristi accepted the award on his behalf.
In the modern era, few names rival that of current games record holder Brad Johnson, affectionately known as the smiling assassin.
Remembered for 364 games and 558 goals in Club colours, the former Captain’s illustrious career included six All-Australian nods, five times leading goal kicker at the Bulldogs and was a three time Best and Fairest award winner.
Current Assistant Coach Rohan Smith has also been recognised for his invaluable contributions to the Club as both player and staff – as one of just six players to notch over 300 games at the kennel.
The 1998 EJ Whitten Medallist – awarded after one of his three representative games for Victoria – returned to the Club ahead of season 2012 as Skills and Acquisitions Coach and was promoted to Assistant Coach ahead of 2013.
Hall of Fame Inductees / Elevations
DOUG HAWKINS - Legend
Games: 329 (1978–94) Goals: 216
Captain: 1990–93 Best and fairest: 1985
Runner-up best and fairest: 1982, 1984, 1989
Leading goalkicker: 1991
VFL/AFL team of the year: 1984, 1986
State selection: 5 games for Victoria
AFL Hall of Fame (2004)
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (vice-captain/wing)
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame:Inducted 2010
JOHN JILLARD
Games: 189 (1958–70) Goals: 1
Grand Finals: 1961 Best and fairest: 1967
Runner-up best and fairest: 1962, 1963, 1965
State selection: 2 games for Victoria
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (half-back flank)
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame:Inducted 2014
BRAD JOHNSON
Games: 364 (1994–2010) Goals: 558
Captain: 2006–10 Best and fairest: 1999, 2002, 2006
Runner-up best and fairest: 2003, 2007
Leading goalkicker: 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
All-Australian selection: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
State selection: 3 games for Victoria
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (interchange)
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame:Inducted 2014
ROHAN SMITH
Games: 300 (1992–2006) Goals: 254
Third best and fairest: 1996, 1999, 2002
Leading goalkicker: 2000
All-Australian selection: 1997, 2003
State selection: 3 games for Victoria
E.J. Whitten Medallist: 1998
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame:Inducted 2014
