Friday night’s match between the Western Bulldogs and Essendon will mark the 30th anniversary of the EJ Whitten Cup.
Named in honour of Club legend Ted Whitten, the Cup has been contested since 1995 in the first encounters between the two clubs each season.
Ted Whitten was present for the inaugural match, which was established to recognise his contribution to the Footscray Football Club and Victorian football in general. He died of prostrate cancer in August 1995.
The Bulldogs are currently in possession of the silverware, following a 41-point win over the Bombers in round 19 last year.
In recent times the Dogs have also managed to tip the win-loss ledger in their favour, winning on 15 occasions to Essendon’s 13.
The two teams played out a draw in 2002.
Ted Whitten Jnr will present the EJ Whitten Cup to the winning captain on the ground at the conclusion of the game.
EJ Whitten Cup Results
Year |
Round |
Result |
Venue |
| 1995 | 9 | Essendon 15.11 (101) def. Footscray 9.13 (67) | MCG |
| 1996 | 8 | Essendon 23.15 (151) def. Footscray 13.6 (84) | MCG |
| 1997 | 10 | Essendon 17.12 (114) def. by Western Bulldogs 20.16 (136) | MCG |
| 1998 | 6 | Western Bulldogs 13.19 (97) def. Essendon 13.11 (89) | Optus Oval |
| 1999 | 13 | Essendon 10.20 (80) def. Western Bulldogs 11.10 (76) | MCG |
| 2000 | 6 | Western Bulldogs 12.9 (81) def. by Essendon 22.12 (144) | Colonial Stadium |
| 2001 | 14 | Western Bulldogs 11.10 (76) def. by Essendon 24.10 (154) | Colonial Stadium |
| 2002 | 14 | Western Bulldogs 18.10 (118) drew Essendon 17.16 (118) | Colonial Stadium |
| 2003 | 4 | Western Bulldogs 16.14 (110) def. by Essendon 20.9 (129) | Telstra Dome |
| 2004 | 7 | Western Bulldogs 14.11 (95) def. by Essendon 18.13 (121) | Telstra Dome |
| 2005 | 10 | Essendon 21.11 (137) def. Western Bulldogs 17.8 (110) | Telstra Dome |
| 2006 | 3 | Essendon 13.15 (93) def. by Western Bulldogs 15.14 (104) | Telstra Dome |
| 2007 | 15 | Essendon 14.14 (98) def. by Western Bulldogs 20.11 (131) | Telstra Dome |
| 2008 | 4 | Essendon 14.14 (98) def. by Western Bulldogs 19.14 (128) | Telstra Dome |
| 2009 | 16 | Essendon 11.4 (70) def. by Western Bulldogs 15.13 (103) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2010 | 10 | Essendon 15.9 (99) def. Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2011 | 1 | Essendon 16.17 (113) def. Western Bulldogs 8.10 (58) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2012 | 14 | Essendon 21.14 (140) def. Western Bulldogs 8.8 (56) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2013 | 16 | Western Bulldogs 14.6 (90) def. by Essendon 18.13 (121) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2014 | 7 | Essendon 10.13 (73) def. Western Bulldogs 9.11 (65) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2015 | 18 | Essendon 5.10 (40) def. by Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2016 | 22 | Essendon 7.11 (53) def. by Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2017 | 19 | Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) def. Essendon 13.19 (97) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2018 | 3 | Western Bulldogs 14.20 (104) def. Essendon 12.11 (83) | Etihad Stadium |
| 2019 | 21 | Essendon 4.9 (33) def. by Western Bulldogs 21.11 (137) | Marvel Stadium |
| 2020 | 7 | Essendon 7.9 (51) def. by Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93) | Marvel Stadium |
| 2021 | 21 | Western Bulldogs 12.12 (84) def. by Essendon 15.7 (97) | Marvel Stadium |
| 2022 | 7 | Western Bulldogs 16.7 (103) def. Essendon 10.11 (71) | Marvel Stadium |
| 2023 | 19 | Essendon 7.7 (49) def. by Western Bulldogs 13.12 (90) | Marvel Stadium |
