To celebrate our Retro Round on Saturday 6 August, we asked fans to select the best Bulldogs team of the last 25 years. Over the next week, we’ll reveal the fan-voted team line-by-line – starting today with the full-backs.

 

Lindsay Gilbee

Selected with pick 43 in the 1999 National Draft, Lindsay Gilbee established himself as a running defender across 12 seasons in the red, white and blue. His accuracy by foot was one of his best attributes, using his long and penetrating kick to transition from defence to attack almost seamlessly. Gilbee averaged 18 disposals and five marks from 206 games, while also drifting forward on a number of occasions to contribute 119 goals – typically from outside 50. He also played 11 finals, finished third in the 2005 Club best and fairest count, and earned All Australian honours in 2006.

 

Brian Lake

Brian Lake became a Bulldog via pick 71 in the 2001 National Draft, and made his debut late in the 2002 season. He established himself as one of the competition’s best key defenders between 2005 and 2010, with his strong marking and ability to read the play a key feature of his game. His form in 2007 saw him claim the Charles Sutton Medal, and was named All Australian in both 2009 and 2010. Across 197 games in the red, white and blue, Lake averaged 15 possessions, six marks and four rebound 50s, before crossing to Hawthorn in 2013 where he finished his playing career.

 

Easton Wood

Former captain and recently retired Easton Wood was drafted with the 43rdselection in the 2007 National Draft. He unfortunately endured an injury-riddled campaign throughout his first year on the senior list, but overcame this to make his debut in 2009. Across a 188-game playing career spanning 14 seasons, Wood was a reliable and much-loved full-back. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2015, claiming the Charles Sutton Medal and a maiden All Australian blazer, and captained the side to its drought-breaking flag in 2016 – becoming just the second premiership skipper in Club history. He continued as captain from 2018-2019, and cited ongoing injuries as the reason for his retirement at the end of the 2021 season.

 

Western Bulldogs Retro Round Dream Team

FB: Lindsay Gilbee, Brian Lake, Easton Wood
HB: To be revealed
C: To be revealed
HF: To be revealed
FF: To be revealed
Foll: To be revealed
Int: To be revealed

 

Captain: To be revealed

Vice-captain: To be revealed