George McLaren

Recruited from South Footscray in the local district league, George "Binger" McLaren established himself as a highly skilled wingman for Footscray during the final years of the Second World War. Making his debut in 1944 after winning a junior Best and Fairest, he quickly became a staple of the senior side, renowned for his pace, elusive sidestep, and precise drop-kick delivery. McLaren was a popular figure at the Western Oval, earning his distinctive nickname—believed to be a reference to Bing Crosby—from a family member, though he was better known to fans for his cheerful demeanour and consistency on the field.

McLaren’s reliability saw him rarely miss a match over his eight-season career, eventually earning selection for Victoria in 1946. By 1951, he had risen to the role of vice-captain and holds a unique place in club history as an undefeated coach, having filled in for captain-coach Charlie Sutton for a single victory against Richmond that season. He left the VFL at just 26 to coach Colac to premiership success in the country, but his life was cut tragically short when he was killed in a car accident in 1956 at the age of 31, leaving behind a legacy as one of the Bulldogs' most accomplished wingmen of the era.