Alby Morrison

One of Footscray's first genuine superstars, Alby Morrison was a towering figure at the Western Oval who set standards for versatility and longevity during the club's VFL infancy. Recruited from local side Kingsville, he made an immediate impact as a forward, booting 50 goals in his debut season—including a club-first haul of 10 goals in a single match against Hawthorn. Standing 183cm, Morrison was a giant of his era, possessing the size to play as a key position forward or ruckman, but the agility to operate as a flanker. He topped the club's goalkicking five times in his first seven seasons, eventually setting a goal record (369) that stood until the 1950s.

Morrison's influence extended well beyond the scoreboard, as he transitioned into a composed defender and leader later in his career. He served as club captain for three seasons and even took on the difficult role of playing coach during the mid-1930s. His career path was unusual by modern standards; he left the VFL to captain-coach Preston in the VFA for two years before returning to the Bulldogs in 1941. Despite his career being interrupted by WWII service, he returned for a final stint in 1946, cementing a legacy that saw him named at half-forward in the Western Bulldogs Team of the Century and inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.