The rugged defender, who played 175 senior matches for the Bulldogs during one of their golden eras in the Ovens and Murray league, was aged 73.

Goyne booted three goals on debut for Wodonga in 1960, but earned a reputation as a fearsome backman for the Bulldogs when they rose to a power in the late 1960s.

The born and bred Wodonga electrician played in the club's 1967 and 1969 premiership teams under O and M Hall of Famer Mick Bone.

Goyne held down the full-back role in the Bulldogs’ powerful era and won the club's best and fairest in 1968 when they lost the grand final to Corowa.

He played 111 out of a possible 113 matches between 1963 and 1968 when the Bulldogs built great rivalries with Wangaratta Rovers and Albury.

Goyne relished his battles with former VFL stars Ken Boyd and Murray Weideman.

Weideman, who joined Albury as coach from Collingwood, regarded Goyne as one of his toughest opponents at all levels he played.

He thrived under Bone's ruthless, take-no-prisoners approach as the Bulldogs beat Wangaratta Rovers in the 1967 grand final and Wangaratta in the 1969 premiership decider.

The Bulldogs won their first flag in Bone's first season at the helm when he moulded a talented crop of home-grown youngsters including Ray Smedley and Ron Hill with proven performers in Goyne, Brian Gilcrist, Dick Grimmond and Morris medallist Gary Williamson into a feared combination.

Wodonga kick-started a 27-match winning streak from mid-way through the 1969 season to the 1970 second semi-final against Wangaratta Rovers.

Gilcrist, the Bulldogs' champion centre half-back, broke his leg in the match and a week later Wodonga lost to eventual premier Myrtleford in the preliminary final.

Goyne represented the Ovens and Murray and played in the championships winning team against Wimmera at Horsham in 1968.

He played his last senior match for Wodonga in 1975, but returned to play and coach at reserves level early in 1977.

Senior coach John Perry was forced to relinquish the top job after being seriously injured in round one against Myrtleford.

Reserves coach Frank Hanrahan stepped up to the top job and Goyne replaced him.

The next season he coached Tallangatta Valley following a merger between Tallangatta and Bullioh and led the Hoppers into the grand final.

The 1978 grand final against Mitta United is regarded as one of the most brutal in Tallangatta and District league history with five players reported before the match started.

Goyne and his wife of 50 years Glenda are both Wodonga Bulldogs life members.

He is also survived by children Kelton, Jill and Dean, daughter-in-law Mandi and grandchildren Sam and Grace. 

Funeral details still to be confirmed.