How the Western Bulldogs defied history to win their first premiership in 62 years
In short: In 2016, the Western Bulldogs became the first team in VFL/AFL history to secure a premiership after finishing the regular season in seventh place. Their victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground ended a drought dating back to 1954, capping a remarkable finals run that overcame significant injuries and long-standing odds.
The 2016 AFL Grand Final, held on 1 October, saw the Western Bulldogs defeat the Sydney Swans by 22 points in front of 99,981 spectators. The Bulldogs' path to the title was unconventional; they were the first team to win from seventh place on the ladder, a feat made more difficult by a season-long injury crisis. Key players, including captain Robert Murphy, Jack Redpath, and Mitch Wallis, suffered season-ending injuries, forcing the team to rely on depth and resilience. Their journey through the finals involved eliminating both of the previous year's grand finalists, West Coast and Hawthorn, before narrowly defeating the GWS Giants in the preliminary final.
The match itself was a tactical struggle. While Sydney led by two points at half-time, the Bulldogs surged in the final quarter. With seven minutes remaining, Liam Picken kicked a crucial goal, followed by a decisive score from Tom Boyd. The Bulldogs ultimately dominated the final minutes, outscoring Sydney 22 to 1 to finish with a 13.11 (89) to 10.7 (67) victory. Jason Johannisen was awarded the Norm Smith Medal for his influential performance, accumulating 33 possessions across the midfield.
The emotional weight of the win was underscored by coach Luke Beveridge’s gesture toward the injured captain, Bob Murphy. In a break from tradition, Beveridge invited Murphy to the podium to lift the premiership trophy alongside acting captain Easton Wood. Beveridge also gave his own Jock McHale medal to Murphy, a symbol of the team's collective effort. The match also marked the end of an era for broadcasting, serving as the final commentary appearance for Dennis Cometti, who concluded a 30-year career. Despite an AFL review noting that the umpiring standard fell short—specifically regarding a 20–8 free kick count favoring the Bulldogs—the result remains a landmark moment in Australian rules football history, drawing a peak audience of 5.2 million viewers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2016 AFL Grand Final
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