JOHN JILLARD
Games: 189 (1958–70) Goals: 1
Grand Finals: 1961 Best and fairest: 1967
Runner-up best and fairest: 1962, 1963, 1965
State selection: 2 games for Victoria
Footscray-Western Bulldogs Team of the Century (half-back flank)
Debuting at 17 years of age in 1958, John Jillard was to carve out an outstanding career, providing dedicated and loyal service to the club during 13 seasons and 189 games.
Fearless to the extreme, Jillard was a tough and courageous half-back whose sheer determination won him many a contest. A good overhead mark, he had fine judgement and the ability to keep his man well held while providing dash from the backline with long left-foot kicks.
View the complete list of Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame members.
Jillard played in Footscray’s losing 1961 Grand Final side, was a three-time night premiership player (1963, 1964 and 1967) and represented Victoria in 1965 and 1967.
Testimony to his consistency is the fact he was runner-up in the best and fairest three times and third once before winning it in 1967.
He was named on a half-back flank in the Bulldogs’ Team of the Century and his elevation into the Footscray-Western Bulldogs Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute for a great footballer and an even greater clubman.
