With our clash against Essendon set to become Marvel Stadium’s 1000th AFL match this weekend, we’re looking back at some of our best moments at Docklands.
BIGGEST WIN
128 points, Round 3 2021. The Good Friday game against North Melbourne gave the Bulldogs plenty of reasons to celebrate last year, claiming a Club record winning margin at Marvel Stadium. Josh Bruce bagged 10, while Tim English and Adam Treloar contributed three apiece to continue the Dogs’ perfect start to the season. Josh Dunkley and Jack Macrae were also prolific with 33 touches each.
MOST GOALS IN A GAME
10 goals, Josh Bruce. Helping the Club to a record winning margin, Bruce produced a bag of 10 majors on Good Friday against North Melbourne last year. His first was the opening goal of the match, before booting goal number 10 with two minutes left on the clock. It was the spearhead’s first double-digit goal-haul of his career, smashing his previous record of six.
MOST DISPOSALS IN A GAME
47 disposals, Round 8 2018. There’s really no surprises that ball-magnet Jack Macrae holds the Club record for most disposals at Marvel. His greatest output so far across his 10-season career, Macrae also registered eight tackles, 10 clearances and eight inside 50s in a dominant display, helping the Bulldogs to a 14-point win over the Lions.
BIGGEST CROWD
51, 382. Round 15, 2009 against Collingwood saw the Bulldogs play off in front of their biggest home-and-away crowd at Marvel (then Etihad) Stadium. Despite being on the wrong side of a one-point margin, the Dogs piled on six late goals after trailing by 34 points at the last break. Club legend Bob Murphy was named the Bulldogs’ best on ground, finishing with 27 touches, 13 marks, one goal and five inside 50s.
MOST MEMORABLE WIN
Round 21, 2000. Undefeated up until that point, Essendon was looking like it would complete the home-and-away season with a perfect win-loss ratio. What ensued later became known as the ‘Super-Flood’, with the Bulldogs handing the Bombers their only loss of the year in a shock 11-point upset. Chris Grant was superb, registering 29 disposals,12 marks, seven rebound 50s and two goals to help the Dogs record a win for the ages.
FIRST GAME UNDERCOVER
Round 2, 2000. The first time footy went indoors saw the Bulldogs take on Brisbane on a Sunday night under the now famous roof. While a seven-goal opening quarter gave the hosts a handy 30-point lead at the first change, the Lions stormed home to produce a 29-point win in front of just under 25,000 spectators. Now an assistant coach, Rohan Smith booted four goals from 16 disposals on the night.
