Yet just three years after that era-defining deal, the man without whom it could never have survived was far closer to being overthrown than was publicly known.

As far as any replacements go, we really can’t consider Marra,” Beveridge said. Sam Darcy of the Bulldogs is injured (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) But Bontempelli’s ...

As one star went down with a horror knee injury another returned in brilliant fashion for the Western Bulldogs who showed they could win without Sam Darcy. Darcy, who suffered a suspected ACL ...

Having already lost Nick Byran to a ACL injury, the Bombers are also without Sam Draper who ruptured his Achilles and will now turn to 36-year-old Todd Goldstein as their likely No.1 big man.