April 8 has historically been kind to the Bulldogs for the most part.
The first round of games played on the date came in 1972, Footscray celebrating with a win, and the Dogs have had four more wins on April 8 since. Here are some of the highlights:
1972: Round 2 v Melbourne
Footscray headed to the MCG for their second-round match against Melbourne having suffered a nasty loss to Essendon in Round 1. At three-quarter time against the Demons, things weren't looking good. The Dogs trailed by 10 points and a 0-2 start to the season was on the cards.
But the Bulldogs rallied in the final quarter, booting six goals to one to run out victors by 21 points and get their season back on track. Footscray's big men were a key factor in the win, with Bernie Quinlan, Barry Round, Graeme Cook, Laurie Sandilands and Peter Welsh combining to kick 11 of the Dogs' 15 goals.
1985: Round 2 v North Melbourne
Having opened up the season in style with a big win over Carlton, the Dogs took a trip to VFL Park to take on North Melbourne in Round 2, only to be blown away by the Kangaroos in the first quarter. The Roos kicked eight goals to one for the term and the Dogs were staring down the barrel at the first break, 43 points behind.
Whatever coach Mick Malthouse said to the boys at the quarter-time huddle worked, because the Dogs turned the game on its head over the next half hour. With spearhead Simon Beasley booting three, the Bulldogs did to the Roos what the Roos had done to them, kicking eight goals to one, to amazingly take a two-point lead into the long break.
The Dogs continued on their merry way in the third term, leading by 18 at the last change, and although North closed the gap two just points in the last quarter, the Dogs surged again and ran away to win by 26 points.
Beasley finished with five goals before limping off with an injured ankle at three-quarter time, captain Jim Edmond booted three and small forwards Tony Buhagiar and Les Bamblett kicked six majors between them. Twenty-year-old Steve Wallis collected 25 possessions to earn three Brownlow votes.
1990: Round 2 v Sydney
Five years later, much had changed at Footscray. The Dogs had come within a whisker of going out of existence before Peter Gordon, Irene Chatfield and fans in general rescued the club. Under new coach Terry Wheeler, Footscray had been soundly beaten by St Kilda in their opening match, and Doggies fans were hoping for a more competitive showing in Round 2 against Sydney at the SCG.
Those fans got much more than they could have wished. After an even first half, the Bulldogs exploded in the third term, kicking eight goals to three, and then finished the Swans off in the final quarter to win by 62 points. Second-gamer Chris Grant booted four goals, while Doug Hawkins, Tony Liberatore and Tony McGuinness each kicked three.
Two Bulldogs made their AFL debuts that day. While Keenan Reynolds showed some of the hardness that would seem become a mainstay in defence over the next five years, it was a skinny 17-year-old kid who really caught the eye. Leon Cameron gathered 29 possessions on debut, kicking off a career that would see him become a fan favourite for the next decade.
1995: Round 2 v Hawthorn
Still skinny but no longer a kid, Leon Cameron starred again exactly five years after his debut. The umpires awarded him the full three Brownlow votes as he picked up 22 touches to lead the Dogs to victory against the Hawks at Waverley.
Fourth-gamer Daniel Hargraves kicked four goals, Chris Grant kicked three and Rohan Smith snared two as the Dogs broke away in the last quarter to win by 24 points.
Eighteen-year-old Tyson Lane, in just his second AFL match, also made his presence felt, kicking two goals and picking up two Brownlow votes. The win gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 start to the year.
2006: Round 2 v Melbourne
The Bulldogs were on a high heading into the second round of 2006, having torn Richmond apart in Round 1, to the tune of 115 points. But Rodney Eade's men may have gotten a little ahead themselves, and they trailed throughout the first half of their match against the Demons, 13 points adrift at the long break.
But a half time rocket from 'Rocket' was enough to get the Dogs' minds back in focus. They kicked nine goals to three in the third term, and went on with the job in the last to run out 47-point winners and consolidate a top-two place on the ladder.
Bob Murphy's four goals earned him three Brownlow votes, while Brad Johnson (27 disposals, three goals) and Scott West (26 touches and a goal) also played great games.
