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 – next up, the half-back line.
Dale Morris
A heart and sole player for the Western Bulldogs, Dale Morris became a fan favourite across his 15-year career at the red, white and blue. Morris was selected as a Rookie pick in 2014, quickly cementing his place in the Bulldogs line up. The defender went on to forge a fantastic career, playing 253 games and claiming a premiership in 2016. Morris received an All-Australian jacket in 2008, but his most notable moment will be a tackle on Buddy Franklin in the 2016 Grand Final, playing the entire finals series with a fractured vertebrae.
Bob Murphy
One of the best leaders the Bulldogs have had, Bob Murphy carved out a fruitful career full of guts and determination. The rangy half-back was selected at pick 13 in the 1999 National Draft, playing 312 games and kicking 183 goals across an 18-year campaign. Bob was named All-Australian twice in 2011 and 2015, with the latter resulting in the captaincy. The Gippsland product was named Bulldogs skipper in 2015, with an ACL injury causing the veteran to miss the Club’s grand final glory. A signature moment saw coach Luke Beveridge invite Murphy onto stage during the celebrations of the flag victory.
Rohan Smith
The famous no. 5 jumper worn by Rohan Smith will be remembered for years to come for the Bulldog faithful. Bypassing the National Draft, Smith made the half-back position his own by 1995 under coach Alan Joyce. The courageous figure would go on to play 300 games in the red, white and blue, kicking 254 goals. Smith claimed All-Australian honours in 1997 and 2003, as well as the Club’s best & fairest award in 1998. Since retiring, Smith has coached the backline of the Bulldogs, beginning in 2012.
Western Bulldogs Retro Round Dream Team
FB: Lindsay Gilbee, Brian Lake, Easton Wood
HB: Dale Morris, Bob Murphy, Rohan Smith
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
