John Westacott

Recruited from Collegians in the amateur ranks, John Westacott was a tall, sturdy key position prospect who arrived at the Western Oval during the club's golden era. He famously occupied the "hard luck" story of the 1954 premiership campaign, named as an emergency for the Grand Final triumph without taking the field. Debuting the following year, the 188cm defender and relief ruckman was known for his physical size and reliability rather than flashiness, failing to register a goal across his five seasons at the top level. His career holds a unique place in history through his selection in the combined VFL/VFA team that played in the Australian Rules demonstration match at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Post-football, Westacott forged a successful business career and was later awarded an OAM for services to golf administration, while his legacy at the Bulldogs continues through his son, former Australian Grand Prix chief Andrew Westacott, who joined the club's board in 2023.