Evan Rees

Hailing from the Wimmera town of Horsham, Evan Rees was a sturdy defender whose path to the VFL was paved by his service in the Second World War. Before arriving at Footscray, he spent a season playing for South Sydney—likely during his military posting—eventually joining the Bulldogs in 1946 as the club looked to rebuild its post-war list. Standing 183cm and weighing in at 83kg, Rees developed a reputation as a reliable and consistent backman who could hold his own against the powerful forwards of the late 1940s. He became a fixture of the senior side, playing nearly every game across his five seasons and forming part of a "hardened" defensive unit alongside club greats like Marty McDonnell. Rees retired at the end of 1950, departing just before the club's golden era, but his role in stabilising the backline during those formative post-war years established him as a respected figure at the Western Oval.