On 2 May this year the Western Bulldogs will celebrate 100 years since playing their first VFL/AFL game. Before joining the VFL, Footscray played in the VFA where they had won nine premierships, the last two were in 1923 and 1924 just before joining the VFL.

On that day they lined up against Fitzroy at the Brunswick Street Oval in front of the biggest crowd that day (28,000) but went down by 9 points. A week later they recorded their first win in the league and at the Western Oval. That day a young Allan Hopkins kicked three of Footscray’s eight goals. Allan went on to play 151 games and kick 205 goals for the Bulldogs, captained the club in 1926, 1929 & 1930 and was playing coach in 1930.

They registered four wins in their opening season, hoping this year they will celebrate with a lot more.