As part of the Club's celebrations to mark a century since joining the VFL/AFL, an expert panel has been convened to select the 25 Greatest Bulldogs of the past 100 years.
The Greatest Bulldogs are 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.
The list of 25 is unranked but a Top 5 has been selected in order and will be revealed at the Club’s Centenary Gala on Monday 21 July, answering the perennial question of who really is the greatest Bulldog of all time.
Tickets to the event at Mission Whitten Oval's Western Grounds are now sold out, but the event will be available to be live-streamed on the Club website and app on Monday night.
All 25 selected players will be immortalised in a Jamie Cooper painting that will be unveiled at the Charles Sutton Medal awards night on 1 October.
Today we reveal the selected players who debuted in the red, white and blue between 2000 and 2025.
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Bob Murphy
Years played: 2000–17
Games: 312 (10 finals)
Goals: 183
Best & Fairest Top 4 finishes: 2003, 2011, 2013, 2015
All Australian: 2011, 2015 (captain)
Brownlow Votes: 48
Captain: 2015–2017
AFLPA Captain of the Year: 2015
Club Awards: Most Promising Player (2001), Best Team Man (2003), Coaches Award (2014)
Robert ‘Bob’ Murphy is celebrated as one of the Western Bulldogs’ most versatile and cherished legends. Drafted at pick 13 in 1999, he burst onto the AFL stage in 2000, quickly becoming a club icon across 312 games with his unique blend of talent, fortitude, and inspiring leadership.
His standout 2001 season earned him an AFL Rising Star nomination and the Bulldogs’ Most Promising Player award, marking the start of an extraordinary career.
In 2005, Murphy’s adaptability shone as he shifted from defender to centre half-forward, embracing new challenges under fresh coaching.
Adopting the opportunity of new trials and persevering through injury setbacks, he exhibited his excellence in 2011 with All-Australian honours and a close runner-up finish in the best and fairest count.
As the Bulldogs’ captain in 2015, Murphy made history by being named both AFLPA Captain of the Year and All-Australian captain - an unprecedented double - while again finishing runner-up in the best and fairest.
Though a devastating ACL injury cut his 2016 season short, Murphy’s unwavering leadership became the emotional heartbeat of the Bulldogs’ drought-breaking premiership run, a legacy honoured when he was called on stage by Luke Beveridge to help lift the trophy.
Retiring in 2017, he left a legacy of heart, grit and unwavering passion, one of the truest representations of what it means to be a Bulldog.
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Matthew Boyd
Years played: 2003–17
Games: 292 (16 finals)
Goals: 86
Best & Fairest: 2009, 2011, 2012; Top 4 finishes: 6
Premiership: 2016
All Australian: 2009, 2011, 2016
Brownlow Votes: 108
Captain: 2011–2013
Club Awards: Match Committee Award (2006, 2007), Best Team Player (2016), Coaches Award (2015)
Matthew Boyd stands as one of the Western Bulldogs’ most enduring and influential figures.
Recruited via the 2002 rookie draft from Frankston and the Dandenong Stingrays, he debuted in 2003 and quickly became a cornerstone of the Club’s resurgence.
Over 15 seasons in the red, white and blue, Boyd played 292 games — reflecting his remarkable durability and unwavering commitment.
His impact peaked in 2009, when he earned All Australian honours and won the Charles Sutton Medal. Named captain in 2011, he led with trademark determination, claiming back-to-back Club Champion awards in 2011 and 2012, along with another All Australian selection.
Despite injury setbacks in 2013, Boyd’s leadership remained vital, culminating in a defining role in the 2016 premiership. That season, he averaged 27 disposals and at 11,482 total metres gained, ranking second in the league overall and earning a third All Australian honour.
Tough, tireless and universally admired, Matthew Boyd defined what it means to be a Bulldog. His 2023 Hall of Fame induction immortalised a legacy of premiership glory, leadership and heart — an enduring inspiration to teammates, fans and the Club’s proud spirit.
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Dale Morris
Years played: 2005–2011, 2013–2019
Games: 253 (14 finals)
Goals: 3
Best & Fairest Top 4 finish: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2016
Premiership: 2016
All Australian: 2008
Brownlow votes: 1
Club Awards: Most Promising Player (2005), Match Committee Award (2008), Most Courageous (2009, 2013), Best Team Player (2011)
Dale Morris remains one of the Western Bulldogs’ most iconic and transformative figures, a quiet achiever whose legacy was built on heart, discipline and team-first values.
Across 253 games over 14 seasons, Morris anchored the backline with unwavering presence, playing 14 finals and etching his name into history as a cornerstone of the Club’s defensive ordnance.
Drafted as a rookie, he burst onto the scene as the most promising player in 2005 and never looked back. His All Australian nod in 2008 capped off a season where he also claimed the Match Committee Award, one of many honours including Most Courageous (2009, 2013) and Best Team Player (2011).
A four-time top-four finisher in the Club’s best and fairest and a key part of the 2010 pre-season premiership as well as the famous 2016 premiership, Morris wasn’t about personal accolades. A true team player, he focused on the moments that lifted the team, a wonderful exemplar of the Club's heart and soul.
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Tom Liberatore
Years played: 2011–present
Games: 251 (10 finals)
Goals: 87
Best & Fairest: 2014; Top 4 finishes: 7
Premiership: 2016
Captain: Part 2025
Brownlow Votes: 50
Club Awards: Best First Year (2011), Most Improved (2013), Most Courageous (2014, 2016), Best Team Player (2014, 2020), Community Award (2024)
Tom Liberatore has forged a remarkable career as one of the Bulldogs’ most fearless and selfless midfielders, renowned for his toughness, clearance craft and relentless attack on the contest.
A father-son selection, Liberatore quickly established himself as a key cog in the Bulldogs’ midfield, bringing an edge of grit and determination that became a hallmark of his game.
His breakout 2014 season saw him claim the Charles Sutton Medal as the Club’s best and fairest, along with the Scott West Most Courageous Player and Brad Johnson Best Team Player awards.
A serious knee injury sidelined him in 2015, but true to his resilient nature Liberatore returned in 2016 to play a crucial role in the Club’s drought-breaking premiership, pushing through a late-season ankle injury to stand tall on the game’s biggest stage.
Across his career, Liberatore has earned widespread admiration for his consistency and tenacity. By 2023, he reached the significant milestone of 200 games — becoming just the 12th father-son player to do so at the same Club.
His honours include the Doug Hawkins Medal (runner-up best and fairest) in 2013 and 2022, the Gary Dempsey Medal (third in best and fairest) in 2020, and two John van Groningen Domestique Awards.
A tireless competitor and selfless teammate, his off-field impact has also been recognised with the John Schultz Community Award and the Bruce Wilkinson AFL Trainers’ Award in 2022. A premiership hero and fan favourite, Libba's legacy is one of heart, humility and unwavering loyalty to the red, white and blue.
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Marcus Bontempelli
Years played: 2014–present
Games: 252* (13 finals)
Goals: 232
Best & Fairest: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
Premiership: 2016
All Australian: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 (captain)
Brownlow Top 10 finishes: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023
Brownlow career votes: 188*
AFLPA MVP: 2021, 2023, 2024
Captain: 2020–present
Marcus Bontempelli has forged a legacy that few can rival at the Bulldogs. A six-time All-Australian and six-time Charles Sutton Medallist, he has become one of the most influential midfielders of his generation, admired for both his skill and his leadership.
Selected with pick four in the 2013 AFL Draft, Bontempelli made an immediate impact when he debuted the following season. His composure, sharp decision-making, and trademark left foot quickly set him apart. By 2016, he was a central figure in the Bulldogs’ historic premiership, helping to deliver the Club’s first flag in 62 years.
Appointed captain in 2020, Bontempelli has led with both courage and compassion. He has built a culture of inclusion and connection, ensuring every player feels supported and valued within the red, white, and blue. His leadership has shaped the fabric of the Bulldogs.
His on-field achievements are remarkable: three AFLPA MVP awards (2021, 2023, 2024), All-Australian captaincy in 2024, and two Brownlow Medal runner-up finishes. His consistency is underlined by six Charles Sutton Medals.
Beyond football, Bontempelli’s commitment to community has been profound. His contributions have been recognised through multiple John van Groningen Community Awards. His impact as a player, leader, and person is already firmly etched in Bulldogs history.
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Ellie Blackburn
Years played: 2017–present
Games: 71 (2 finals)
Goals: 29
Best & Fairest: 2017, 2021, 2022 (S6), 2022 (S7), 2023
Premiership: 2018
All-Australian: 2017, 2018, 2021
Captain: 2019–2023
AFLW Best & Fairest votes: 10*
Leading Club Goalkicker: 2017
AFLPA AFLW Best Captain: 2021
Club Records: Games, Goalkicking
Ellie Blackburn has long secured her status as the Bulldogs’ greatest AFLW star, representing the red, white and blue since its first league game with unmatched skill and leadership.
A three-time All-Australian and five-time club best and fairest winner, her explosive pace, poise, and versatility as a midfielder-forward has defined her 71-game career.
Blackburn captained the Bulldogs on the day of their 2018 AFLW premiership and was named AFLPA Best Captain in 2021. She led the club’s goalkicking in 2017 and has kicked 29 career goals. A three-time AFLPA 22Under22 selection (2017-2019) and runner-up in the 2021 AFLW Best and Fairest, her impact is undeniable.
Off the field, her dedication to the club’s values has made her a fan favourite. Blackburn’s legacy as a trailblazer and Bulldogs great is firmly cemented.
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25 Greatest Bulldogs (full list)
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
1986-99: Scott Wynd, Chris Grant, Scott West, Brad Johnson, Tony Liberatore
2000-25: Bob Murphy, Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris, Tom Liberatore, Marcus Bontempelli, Ellie Blackburn
