It was late May, 1946 and the Dogs held off a determined Collingwood to win by three points in front of 29,000 fans at the then Western Oval.

The wind was blowing hard that day, as it often does on the corner of Gordon and Barkly St, but six goals from second year forward Bill Wood was enough to keep a charging Collingwood at bay.

That was the last time a Bulldogs team have beaten Collingwood four times in a row.

The Dogs and the Pies would go on to finish on equal points that season, but Collingwood’s superior percentage saw them finish a spot ahead of the Dogs.

The Magpies would go on to make a preliminary final that year while Footscray’s season ended at the hands of Melbourne in front of 61,277 fans at the MCG despite the best efforts of Norm Ware and skipper, Arthur Oliver.

While Luke Beveridge’s focus tonight will be keeping the likes of Scott Pendlebury, Darcy Moore and Adam Treloar under control, a win tonight and the Dogs will pocket not just the four points, but a little slice of history as well.