Bulldogs to Celebrate 2016 Premiership with 10-Year Reunion

The Western Bulldogs will hold a 10-year reunion for the 22 players from their 2016 premiership team on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium.

Player Attendance

All 22 players from the 2016 premiership team are scheduled to attend the reunion.

• Four players currently play for other clubs: Josh Dunkley (Brisbane), Jake Stringer (Essendon), Caleb Daniel (Adelaide), and Jack Macrae (Collingwood).
• Only Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore remain on the current Western Bulldogs list.
• Joel Hamling, who now plays for Sydney, will also attend.

Current Player Status

The reunion coincides with a Thursday night AFL match between the Bulldogs and Sydney.

• Tom Liberatore is in concussion protocols and will not play against Sydney.
• Marcus Bontempelli has been named in the Bulldogs' squad but is dealing with a knee injury.
• Joel Hamling has been omitted from Sydney's team for the match due to Dane Rampe's return.

Player Reflections

Josh Dunkley

Josh Dunkley, who now plays for Brisbane, stated that he maintains positive relationships with his former club and teammates. He clarified that his decision to leave the Western Bulldogs was based on personal growth and family reasons, not dissatisfaction with the club.

Dunkley recalled a pivotal team meeting before the 2016 finals where coach Luke Beveridge asked players if they believed they could win the premiership from outside the top four. He said this moment helped build the team's confidence.

Tom Boyd

Tom Boyd, who retired in 2019, noted that he gained a true appreciation for what the premiership meant to Bulldogs supporters when he saw 45,000 people at Whitten Oval the day after the Grand Final.

Boyd recalled meeting 1954 premiership player Doug Reynolds, who told him he thought about the premiership game every night before sleeping. Reynolds passed away in January 2024 at age 92.

Background on the 2016 Premiership

• The Western Bulldogs defeated Sydney in the 2016 AFL Grand Final to win their first premiership since 1954.
• Josh Dunkley was 19 years old and in his 17th game when he won the premiership. He has since won three premierships total, including back-to-back flags with Brisbane in 2024 and 2025.
• Several 2016 premiership players are now coaches: Dale Morris (Brisbane backline coach), Jordan Roughead (Collingwood defenders coach), and Matthew Boyd (Collingwood midfield coach).
• Tom Boyd played 23 more games for the Bulldogs before retiring and has since become a mental health advocate.