When he arrived at Footscray from North Albury, Ross was asked to play in just about every position in his first couple of seasons, before settling into the developing ruck-rover role later in his career.

He won the Best First Year player award in 1952 and his versatility was such that he won the club’s Most Versatile award three times. Tried at centre half-back during the 1954 season, Ross found his niche in Footscray's engine room by the year's end, thereby releasing Ted Whitten to centre half back and providing the team with a balanced spine going into the 1954 finals series.

Loved by his coach for his vigorous approach to the game, Ross played a great game in the premiership victory by using his fearless style and dash to pave the way for many a Footscray attack. Ross tied for the Best Clubman award in 1955, won the Best and Fairest in 1956, the year Peter Box won his Brownlow Medal, was appointed vice-captain to Ted Whitten in 1957 and came runner-up in the club's Best and Fairest in 1958.

Ross, who never played seconds, played 129 games for 20 goals between 1952 and 1958 and was described by Footscray great, Arthur Olliver, as the ‘ultimate team man’.

Key stats 

Played: 1952-58 (7 seasons)
Games: 129 (70 wins, 2 draws, 57 losses-Success ratio 55.04%)
Goals: 20
Premiership: 1954
Brownlow career votes: 11
Best & Fairest: (1) 1956, R/U: 1958
Finals: 6 (including losing Prelims 1953, 1956)

Class of '18 | View The Biographies of the latest crop Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame inductees.

Hall of Fame
Don Ross
Peter Box
Bernie Quinlan
Steve Wallis
David Smorgon

Legends
Chris Grant
Norm Ware
Allan Hopkins