It was four years ago today...

[The bulldog tragician]

I think our victory in the first elimination final against WCE was one of our best ever.

Because of the emotion of that whole month maybe it’s been slightly overshadowed.

Imagine our audacity: going to Perth, where we’d had such an awful record, with the Eagles in red hot form, and what seemed a bit of a bunged up unit where the fitness of our group was unknown. We not only won, we smashed them by 47 points.

Around this exact time (7.30 pm, Sept 8) 4 years ago my sister and I sat on the couch just hoping we wouldn’t be embarrassed. Nobody could have imagined what was to follow...

[josie]

Nice post - great memories. I kept pinching myself and asking my partner is this really happening?

[comrade]

I was in a pub with my brother and with each goal, we kept looking at each other and asking ‘is this real life?’

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I think our victory in the first elimination final against WCE was one of our best ever.

Because of the emotion of that whole month maybe it’s been slightly overshadowed.

Imagine our audacity: going to Perth, where we’d had such an awful record, with the Eagles in red hot form, and what seemed a bit of a bunged up unit where the fitness of our group was unknown. We not only won, we smashed them by 47 points.

Around this exact time (7.30 pm, Sept 8) 4 years ago my sister and I sat on the couch just hoping we wouldn’t be embarrassed. Nobody could have imagined what was to follow...
I remember the entire month so clearly. Like you, I sat on the couch with a friend just hoping we wouldn’t get smashed. We started well but couldn’t convert only for them to kick a couple from nothing. It felt all so familiar and I expected the eventual capitulation. But we annihilated them which set us up for a magical 4 weeks

[comrade]

I remember the entire month so clearly. Like you, I sat on the couch with a friend just hoping we wouldn’t get smashed. We started well but couldn’t convert only for them to kick a couple from nothing. It felt all so familiar and I expected the eventual capitulation. But we annihilated them which set us up for a magical 4 weeks

After the first 10 minutes it was as close to footy perfection as you’d see.

[jeemak]

When Darling slotted the goal after the turnover, basically off one or two steps from around 50m on an angle I was thinking it was definitely going to be a typical Subiaco shit show!

Eagles had just knocked off GWS in Sydney in their last game, and while I hate the talk of the inaugural week's break being a major contributor to us winning a premiership, I think it did impact the Eagles momentum which was good for us.

I couldn't accept that we were safely to victory until well into the last quarter. Same old Bulldogs were going to sneak up to me in plan sight and find a way to lose...……..

[bornadog]

It wasn't just a win, it was a thrashing. We murdered them in a fantastic win. Caleb Daniel was BOG.

[The bulldog tragician]

In my blog I said it was the win we’d been waiting for forever. I still feel very emotional whenever I think about it.

It’s here if you’d like to relive the journey of that night. http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-tragician-blog/this-story-is-our-story

[FrediKanoute]

In a pub in London with my cousins.......didn't go back to work and was very sheepish the next day :)

[josie]

It wasn't just a win, it was a thrashing. We murdered them in a fantastic win. Caleb Daniel was BOG.

One of my all time fave passages of play was when Caleb ducks under some linked arms like he was playing ring a rosy - I think he hand passed to Dunkley who goaled (I know it definitely led to a goal). Agree Caleb was sensational. Picken did ok too.

[Sedat]

I rate this win as better than the Hawks win the week after. For obvious reasons it doesn't quite reach the PF and GF but it was a magnificent team performance. It is easily the biggest loss West Coast have ever had in finals in Perth - the previous biggest was around 23 points.

[bornadog]

One of my all time fave passages of play was when Caleb ducks under some linked arms like he was playing ring a rosy - I think he hand passed to Dunkley who goaled (I know it definitely led to a goal). Agree Caleb was sensational. Picken did ok too.

Yes that was briliant

[bornadog]

Highlights


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ55RMKIgJI&ab_channel=AFL

[josie]

Thanks Bornadog for those highlights. It was Dahl who kicked the goal after Daniel’s hand pass.

[Eastdog]

What a win. That is what started it for us. We tore them apart that night on their own deck.

[Twodogs]

Dunks making Darling crap his shorts is close to one of my favourite footy moments of all time.

[Eastdog]

Good to hear from you Twodogs. Hope you are well.

[Twodogs]

Good to hear from you Twodogs. Hope you are well.

Cheers Easty ��

[jeemak]

Yesssssss TD! Yeeeeeessssssss!!!!!!!!

[Vred]

This thread prompted me to go back into the history of WOOF and read the game day threads and other threads surrounding our 2016 finals run, I wasn't a member then but reading those threads bought back all the feelings I felt during the 2016 campaign. How I hope, and wish we get back to that form so we can do it all again.

[merantau]

Highlights


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ55RMKIgJI&ab_channel=AFL

There is nothing better than handing out a hiding to the Cokes on their own dung hill. Sending their flogster fans home salty and in shock is so satisfying. Doesn't matter who it is - I always love to see them beaten at home.

[merantau]

I was in Lombok for this game - watching at home. I remember feeling really despondent when they kicked those two goals as a result of our errors after we had dominated, yet blown our chances.
But then the worm turned and the booing got louder as our lead increased. It was beautiful to hear and ushered in three weeks of ecstasy.

[westdog54]

Watching on TV the thing that I remember most is the silence from the crowd as the 3QT siren sounded.

No booing, no cheering, just silence.

We had them completely stunned.

Just a wonderful performance the boys put together.

[Ozza]

What a night this was. Was at a family friends place where they basically have their own bar and projector screen - and about 10-12 of us were going mental.

I had a sneaky feeling that we were a chance to win, and decided to back us. But took the 1-39 because we couldn't possibly win in Perth by 40+.....safe to say I didn't really care too much about the losing punt as we demolished them.

It was Caleb Daniel's final. Backed up by Dahlhaus and Picken - but Caleb was extraordinary.

[The Pie Man]

I was in Lombok for this game - watching at home. I remember feeling really despondent when they kicked those two goals as a result of our errors after we had dominated, yet blown our chances.
But then the worm turned and the booing got louder as our lead increased. It was beautiful to hear and ushered in three weeks of ecstasy.

I remember feeling (and tweeting as such) that it was the most Bulldog start to a game ever.

Then halfway through the last quarter, sitting on my couch relaxed - and thinking the only time a natural sedative has gone through me in a final was the 2nd half of the 2010 prelim when St Kilda took over and I stopped thinking we could win. Was nice to sit there during a final for once knowing we were going to s... it in.

Just re-watched the highlights....forward line of Boyd, Stringer, Picken, C Smith, Dickson....how long can 4 years be in footy?

[Happy Days]

I also was waiting for the same old Bulldogs to kick into gear, but then Jordan Roughead played on from a mark and slotted one from 50, which is distinctly not the sort of thing that happens in games you lose.

Shout out to the West Coast supporter who told me that we'd never win a flag as he was leaving the Great Northern around 3QT. Hope he got the help he needs.

[Mofra]

Let's not forget that we were beaten by an underwhelming Fremantle in Perth just two weeks earlier.

I gave us zero chance after that game but upgraded out chances to 5% after WCE named Mitch Brown. Why they would go so tall against a running side I have no idea.

I still think Roughy's blind turn to goal was his career highlight to that point, and Picken marking between two taller opponents just showed how amazing a judge of the flight of the ball he really was. From a guy who couldn't even get rookied as a FS pick for Collingwood, then spent years as a tagger for us.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Highlights


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ55RMKIgJI&ab_channel=AFL

I know they are highlights but god how good did we look? So assured and full of grunt. Seeing space in our forward line is a dream.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Let's not forget that we were beaten by an underwhelming Fremantle in Perth just two weeks earlier.

I gave us zero chance after that game but upgraded out chances to 5% after WCE named Mitch Brown. Why they would go so tall against a running side I have no idea.

I still think Roughy's blind turn to goal was his career highlight to that point, and Picken marking between two taller opponents just showed how amazing a judge of the flight of the ball he really was. From a guy who couldn't even get rookied as a FS pick for Collingwood, then spent years as a tagger for us.

It's the Pickens and the Clay Smiths that we miss the most right now IMO. It's been spoken about on here numerous times but watching those highlights......highlight how important that ferocity is. 2020, when we have it we look good. It's just not consistent enough. And when we don't, we look very ordinary.

[bornadog]

Let's not forget that we were beaten by an underwhelming Fremantle in Perth just two weeks earlier. .

We took half the reserves with us that day

[jeemak]

This night started a perennial feast on my own words when it comes to Liam Picken.

[merantau]

I also was waiting for the same old Bulldogs to kick into gear, but then Jordan Roughead played on from a mark and slotted one from 50, which is distinctly not the sort of thing that happens in games you lose.

Shout out to the West Coast supporter who told me that we'd never win a flag as he was leaving the Great Northern around 3QT. Hope he got the help he needs.

Anyone who leaves early in the face of a big defeat is making a big statement and it's all about - THEMSELVES.

[Scraggers]

This is still my second favourite game ever !!!

I had the pleasure of sitting on the wing, right in front of where Darling heard footsteps ... still love that moment !!

I've said this on this forum before; I took my (then) six year old son to the game that day. Three weeks before he had told me he wanted to be an Eagles supporter. Just before the game started, we were queuing for some food and a pre-pubescent kid got right in my son's face and said "Enjoy your last game of footy for the year ... loser." Geez, I wish we could have found that blighter after the game, just to wish him a safe journey back to his humble abode. :cool: :cool:

A couple of weeks later, I rang my six year old at about 5:30pm on the 1st October and said to him 'we won mate, we won'. His reply "I know Daddy; I've been waiting my whole life for this!!!" ... son, you have no idea ;)

Happy to say he is still a dyed-in-the-wool Bulldog !!

[bornadog]

A couple of weeks later, I rang my six year old at about 5:30pm on the 1st October and said to him 'we won mate, we won'. His reply "I know Daddy; I've been waiting my whole life for this!!!" ... son, you have no idea ;)

Happy to say he is still a dyed-in-the-wool Bulldog !!

That is so cute - love it.

[AshMac]

Amazing thread. So many warm memories. I watched it in Melbourne - convinced we’d lose before the game - on the couch w my dad who has been taking me to the footy since I was 2 months old. The grand final was the best day of my life - and this win started the greatest finals campaign of all time to get there.

[josie]

Delightful story Scraggers. Keep reminding your son so he remembers that day for the rest of his life. What a lovely memory for you two to treasure and possibly retell to his children!!

[merantau]

This is still my second favourite game ever !!!

I had the pleasure of sitting on the wing, right in front of where Darling heard footsteps ... still love that moment !!

I've said this on this forum before; I took my (then) six year old son to the game that day. Three weeks before he had told me he wanted to be an Eagles supporter. Just before the game started, we were queuing for some food and a pre-pubescent kid got right in my son's face and said "Enjoy your last game of footy for the year ... loser." Geez, I wish we could have found that blighter after the game, just to wish him a safe journey back to his humble abode. :cool: :cool:

A couple of weeks later, I rang my six year old at about 5:30pm on the 1st October and said to him 'we won mate, we won'. His reply "I know Daddy; I've been waiting my whole life for this!!!" ... son, you have no idea ;)

Happy to say he is still a dyed-in-the-wool Bulldog !!

That is just beautiful.
It makes you wonder doesn't it about the sort of people that would raisrle a pre-pubescent kid who feels it's just fine to go up a taunt a complete stranger. Perhaps someone will tip him on his arse before it's too late as his parents aren't interested in getting him to pull his head in.

[CarnTheScray]

I remember this one! Was watching in Melbourne and couldn't believe my eyes. Eagles fans were all over social media saying it doesn't matter because we won't win the flag anyway etc. I would have loved to have been at the game and watch the fans scurry out at 3QT.

[Twodogs]

This is still my second favourite game ever !!!

I had the pleasure of sitting on the wing, right in front of where Darling heard footsteps ... still love that moment !!

I've said this on this forum before; I took my (then) six year old son to the game that day. Three weeks before he had told me he wanted to be an Eagles supporter. Just before the game started, we were queuing for some food and a pre-pubescent kid got right in my son's face and said "Enjoy your last game of footy for the year ... loser." Geez, I wish we could have found that blighter after the game, just to wish him a safe journey back to his humble abode. :cool: :cool:

A couple of weeks later, I rang my six year old at about 5:30pm on the 1st October and said to him 'we won mate, we won'. His reply "I know Daddy; I've been waiting my whole life for this!!!" ... son, you have no idea ;)

Happy to say he is still a dyed-in-the-wool Bulldog !!

Same thing after the NAB cup final in 2010. My phone rang and it was my (then) 11 yo in a state of disbelief.


Amazing thread. So many warm memories. I watched it in Melbourne - convinced we’d lose before the game - on the couch w my dad who has been taking me to the footy since I was 2 months old. The grand final was the best day of my life - and this win started the greatest finals campaign of all time to get there.

Watched the first 3 finals with my son on TV sitting in exactly the same spots on the two couches in the lounge room each time. Usually when I watch a game on TV I will hold a footy in my hands and when they kicked the second of those two goals I threw it down the passageway. Before each of the next two games and just before I left to go to the GF I threw the same ball into the same spot.

We did our bit!

[Twodogs]

This night started a perennial feast on my own words when it comes to Liam Picken.

Did you say pirinea...

Oh! Sorry! You said perennial!

[AshMac]

The Bulldog Tragician - now I'm hoping we're in for one of these a week for the next 3 weeks!

I went to the other 3 finals and whilst the prelim is the best actual football game I've seen live and the GF is the best day of my life, the semi was the best experience of "wiping arrogance off another teams supporters faces" I've had. Certainly the most satisfying.

Will cross fjngers and save those stories if the threads start...

[AshMac]

Watched the first 3 finals with my son on TV sitting in exactly the same spots on the two couches in the lounge room each time. Usually when I watch a game on TV I will hold a footy in my hands and when they kicked the second of those two goals I threw it down the passageway. Before each of the next two games and just before I left to go to the GF I threw the same ball into the same spot.

We did our bit!

Not going to lie TD, might have been as important as Roughy's mark after JJ's goal was inconclusively disallowed :)

[Grantysghost]

Same thing after the NAB cup final in 2010. My phone rang and it was my (then) 11 yo in a state of disbelief.



Watched the first 3 finals with my son on TV sitting in exactly the same spots on the two couches in the lounge room each time. Usually when I watch a game on TV I will hold a footy in my hands and when they kicked the second of those two goals I threw it down the passageway. Before each of the next two games and just before I left to go to the GF I threw the same ball into the same spot.

We did our bit!

Barry...baaaaarrryyy.....

https://media.giphy.com/media/KZNQ8h2oOOlMK6L727/giphy.gif

[azabob]

I still think Roughy's blind turn to goal was his career highlight to that point, and Picken marking between two taller opponents just showed how amazing a judge of the flight of the ball he really was. From a guy who couldn't even get rookied as a FS pick for Collingwood, then spent years as a tagger for us.

Each of the finals series we all would have moments that are etched in our mind forever.

The West Coast game for me is Rougheads goal, Daniels goal from 50m out on the run and that Picken mark. Not only did he judged the ball superbly but the strength to also do it.

[comrade]

Picken elevated himself to an entirely new level that night, and maintained the rage for the entire finals series. Would love to buy that bloke a beer one day.

[Sedat]

Picken elevated himself to an entirely new level that night, and maintained the rage for the entire finals series. Would love to buy that bloke a beer one day.
Dunks did a pretty good impersonation of Picken as an undersized CHF against West Coast. Wouldn't surprise me if he was used in that role for the remainder of the season.

[WBFC4FFC]

Picken elevated himself to an entirely new level that night, and maintained the rage for the entire finals series. Would love to buy that bloke a beer one day.

That's "Mr. September" thank you very much.

[Scraggers]

That is just beautiful.
It makes you wonder doesn't it about the sort of people that would raisrle a pre-pubescent kid who feels it's just fine to go up a taunt a complete stranger. Perhaps someone will tip him on his arse before it's too late as his parents aren't interested in getting him to pull his head in.

The worst part of it, his father gave him a high five straight afterwards, congratulating him.

[mjp]

I remember this one! Was watching in Melbourne and couldn't believe my eyes. Eagles fans were all over social media saying it doesn't matter because we won't win the flag anyway etc. I would have loved to have been at the game and watch the fans scurry out at 3QT.

I was at the game and it really wasn't like that...at 3/4 time I was still dreading the inevitable collapse followed by the very, very sad train ride home surrounded by blue and yellow...colours that are NOT associated with being graceful in victory.

[Mantis]

The start of an amazing month of footy.

I could go back in time and dig up my positive posts (for a change) on how I was super confident going into that match... I even emptied by sports betting accounts on us that night, but foolishly went the 1-39 pts options... what a dickhead!!

Oh, to have the confidence that we would come to play, as I did back then.

[kruder]

Picken elevated himself to an entirely new level that night, and maintained the rage for the entire finals series. Would love to buy that bloke a beer one day.

Quasi CHF what a bloody legend.

[bornadog]

The start of an amazing month of footy.

I could go back in time and dig up my positive posts (for a change) on how I was super confident going into that match... I even emptied by sports betting accounts on us that night, but foolishly went the 1-39 pts options... what a dickhead!!

Oh, to have the confidence that we would come to play, as I did back then.

I honestly thought we would lose in Perth. I was also imagining another 2006 when they kicked the first couple.

[SonofScray]

My daughter was closing in on her first birthday, asleep in her cot.
Three of my mates who I sit with at the footy came over to my new place for pizza, beers and glory.
We had to keep our celebrations under wraps, but it was hard because we knew.

[Twodogs]

Not going to lie TD, might have been as important as Roughy's mark after JJ's goal was inconclusively disallowed :)

I like to think that Toyd's goal may have been nearly as important as me throwing the footy.


Picken elevated himself to an entirely new level that night, and maintained the rage for the entire finals series. Would love to buy that bloke a beer one day.

I botted a cigarette off of Billy Picken at halftime up at Ballarat v Port Adelaide in 2017. That's almost the same thing.