Sunday’s match between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon Football Club will mark the 24th anniversary of the EJ Whitten Cup, the trophy contested annually between the two Clubs.
Named in honour of Bulldogs legend Ted Whitten, the EJ Whitten Cup has been played at alternate home games between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon since 1995.
Ted Whitten played 321 games for Footscray between 1951 and 1970.
The EJ Whitten Cup was named in his honour while Ted was gravely ill with prostate cancer. Ted was present for the inaugural match in 1995 which was organized to recognize his outstanding contribution to the Footscray Football Club and Victorian football. He died of prostate cancer in August 1995.
The Western Bulldogs currently hold the cup after winning it when the two teams last met in Round 19, 2017.
The Bombers hold an advantage on the historical ledger having claimed the prized silverware on 12 occasions, with the Bulldogs having won the trophy on 10 occasions, with one draw in 2002.
The cup will be presented by Ted Whitten Jnr to the winning captain, in the changerooms of the victorious side, after the final siren.
The EJ Whitten Foundation is a partner of the Bulldogs’ Sons of the West program, which focuses on the health and wellbeing of men in the west.
The Bulldogs and Bombers will go head to head at Etihad Stadium on Sunday from 3.20pm.
You can donate to the EJ Whitten Foundation by visiting ejwhittenfoundation.com.au
