EJ ‘Ted’ Whitten has been unveiled as the greatest player to wear the red, white and blue at a special Centenary Gala at Mission Whitten Oval on Monday night.

The marquee event - part of the Club's celebrations to mark a century since joining the VFL/AFL - acknowledged the 25 Greatest Bulldogs of the past 100 years after the historic selection was made by an expert panel.

While the list of 25 was presented without rank, a top five was selected in order and revealed on the night. Whitten was declared the greatest Bulldog ahead of Marcus Bontempelli. Chris Grant (#3), Gary Dempsey (#4) and Doug Hawkins (#5) rounded out the top five.

Ted Whitten Jr, accepting the honour on behalf of his late father, said it was hard to describe what it meant to his family.

"To have Dad receive this accolade in front of so many wonderful past and current players is an amazing feeling." Whitten said.

"I'm tipping he'd be pretty stoked with this accolade. To be here at this ground which is named in his honour, I think he'd be pretty proud himself and I know all his family are.

"He's been a wonderful ambassador for the western suburbs and the football club. If anyone had a crack at him about the Bulldogs, look out. He would protect them with his life. If you had of cut his hand he would have bled red, white and blue."

Speaking on stage at the event, Bontempelli said he was lost for words at his ranking.

"I sit here and listen to the stories of the gentlemen who've come before us who have set the fabric of what it means to play for this football club," Bontempelli said. 

"Because they've been here, they've worn the jumper, they've set the standard for so many of us who are currently playing and get the privilege of wearing the jumper now and especially what it stands for.

"The thing I've loved about playing my football for the Western Bulldogs Football Club is its never say die attitude, you're never out of it and your actions speak louder than your words.

"I'm still in shock to be up here and a part of tonight, let alone in the position that I am so it's going to take some time for that to sink in, but it's a true honour and a privilege to be sitting here."

The 'Greatest Bulldogs' have been defined by the Club as: "Those who have represented the red, white and blue with irrefutable distinction on the field and made the most considerable positive impact on the Club's history. Players of exceptional ability who have achieved some of the game's greatest accolades, they have also made the Club what it is today, setting standards that will always be aspired to, embodying the Bulldogs' spirit and inspiring fans to dream big and stand proud."

All 25 selected players will be immortalised in a Jamie Cooper work that is currently being painted and will be unveiled at the Charles Sutton Medal awards night on 1 October.

The selection panel was made up of media legend Mike Sheahan, former coach Rodney Eade, Club historian Darren Arthur, President of the Club’s Past Players & Officials Association Ross Abbey, CEO Ameet Bains and Club Director Lisa Fitzpatrick.

25 Greatest Bulldogs

1925-45: Norm Ware, Harry Hickey, Arthur Olliver, Charlie Sutton, Allan Hopkins, Alby Morrison

1946-65: John Schultz, EJ Whitten, Wally Donald, Jack Collins

1966-85: Gary Dempsey, Doug Hawkins, Kelvin Templeton, Simon Beasley

1986-1999: Scott Wynd, Chris Grant, Scott West, Brad Johnson, Tony Liberatore

2000-2025: Bob Murphy, Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris, Tom Liberatore, Marcus Bontempelli, Ellie Blackburn