Nostalgia series - and finals in the time of coronavirus...

[The bulldog tragician]

Four years ago a quite staggering number of us were there in the stands to see our team make history in the most thrilling (and Bulldogs-esque) way possible.

I will never forget the drive up there, scarves out all the windows, Bulldogs supporters seemingly everywhere in Sydney. The roar when we ran out. The moments we seemed down for the count, until an incredible passage of play where we just willed the ball forward and Clay Smith delivered the most desperate, ferocious bump to create a goal for Daniel. The epic last quarter where unlike all those many many Bulldogs teams who'd tried and failed, this group found something extra, again and again.

In contrast I just got an email from the club about finals tickets for next Saturday. No need to queue up, get anxious about where we'll be seated, make preparations with friends and families to catch up pre-game. No way to really be involved, hope that our chant will make a difference, that we can urge the boys to victory. Sitting in our lounge rooms, listening to moronic commentators, unable to be with our team. This virus sucks, big time.

Much though I hope and want our team to take us on another ride this year, it can't and won't be the same watching through a TV screen.

Here's my blog from that happiest of days, called of course: Why not us?

http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-tragician-blog/why-not-us

[bornadog]

One of the best days at the footy ever.

I arrived in Sydney with my mate at 9.30am and we threw our bags into the hotel room. My mate said, what shall we do now, and I responded with, let's go down to the rocks and harbour area. When we got there it was a sea of RWB. Ran into a couple of woofers and just enjoyed talking about our chances.

Decided to make our way to the ground after lunch and on the change over of trains ran into another friend with his son, so we hung out together. Boy was it difficult to get a beer outside the ground, just rubbish organisation. We decided to go into the ground and see if we could grab one there. Whilst chatting on the terrace, Mitch Wallis stopped by and had a quick chat.

Finally when the boys ran on to the ground, the roar of the crowd was incredible, and the boos for GWS drowned out their supporters.

The last 5 minutes of the game, I have never been so tense in my life, my legs were in knots.

The rest is history, but what an amazing feeling when the siren went.

[1eyedog]

Great day / night. Maccas Goulburn was absolutely rocking. I went on the Doggies bus from WB as I had every intention of getting stuck into the Western Sydney lifestyle. The ride home was memorable I think.

[comrade]

After a few too many nervous pre-match beers, I spotted Craig Lambert at the packed pub outside the ground and kept yelling at him rather loudly ‘where’s Lachie’s stash?’ following his involvement in Whitfield’s recent illicit drug issue.

My behaviour only got more repugnant (if you were a GWS supporter) as the night went on.

Good times.

[Happy Days]

I had to do the close at the bar I was working at, and managed to avoid spoilers for the entire shift until knockoff at 1:30am, in spite of one drunk guy in particular who would not shut up about the best game of footy he'd ever seen. Finished watching at 4am, half-delirious but mostly a blubbering mess.

[Twodogs]

After a few too many nervous pre-match beers, I spotted Craig Lambert at the packed pub outside the ground and kept yelling at him rather loudly ‘where’s Lachie’s stash?’ following his involvement in Whitfield’s recent illicit drug issue.

My behaviour only got more repugnant (if you were a GWS supporter) as the night went on.

Good times.

Did he end up telling you where it was?

[josie]

Was also in WB bus - mine was The Roughy Express. Great to see all the scarves hanging out of car windows and thumbs up & horn toots too. All anticipating and hoping and nervous smiles and chats with lovely bulldog supporters, then as BAD said just tense energy and then total utter exhilaration. Never see so many folks cry with happiness and sheer delight. And the amount of hugs and waves and high fives and shouts with RWB strangers on way back to bus - no social distancing then....

Did not get a wink of sleep on way home and then rocked up to watch us win VFL final at Docklands. What a weekend. Burned into my memory.

Love Comrades story. Still staggered at how weak AFL were about that.

GWS full of top draft talent - but we were the more gritty and better “team”. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched that match or the highlights. Still not tired if it yet. The last qtr is as good as it gets regarding gripping sport.

[Eastdog]

Would have to be the best game I have watched from my couch at home. Twodogs was at home for that game as well :)

[jeemak]

Some of that bloody hay fever you experienced in Sydney just got me as I was reading that.

[comrade]

Footy peaked that night.

[Eastdog]

Was also in WB bus - mine was The Roughy Express. Great to see all the scarves hanging out of car windows and thumbs up & horn toots too. All anticipating and hoping and nervous smiles and chats with lovely bulldog supporters, then as BAD said just tense energy and then total utter exhilaration. Never see so many folks cry with happiness and sheer delight. And the amount of hugs and waves and high fives and shouts with RWB strangers on way back to bus - no social distancing then....

Did not get a wink of sleep on way home and then rocked up to watch us win VFL final at Docklands. What a weekend. Burned into my memory.

Love Comrades story. Still staggered at how weak AFL were about that.

GWS full of top draft talent - but we were the more gritty and better “team”. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched that match or the highlights. Still not tired if it yet. The last qtr is as good as it gets regarding gripping sport.

I went to the VFL GF at Docklands the next day as well. Great day there also just knowing that we were playing in a GF. Many Dogs fans I recall that day were beaming.

[bornadog]

then rocked up to watch us win VFL final at Docklands.

My mate had Medallion Club tickets for VFL GF

Sunday morning 4 of us were sitting at the airport gate chatting about the game, the GF etc when suddenly we looked up and there was no one there. Qantas announced a gate change and we didn't hear it and missed the plane.

Finally got home to watch the last quarter on TV.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Will never, ever forget this night. I watched at home. The whole day I was an absolute nervous wreck. I kept trying to convince myself it didn't matter if we lost. This wasn't quite our time, blah blah blah. I knew deep down that it would kill me to see us lose yet another prelim.

When the giants gained momentum and kicked 14pts clear in the last quarter, I resigned myself to a 9th prelim loss in a row. "Oh well" I thought. "Next year we'll be ready". Then we came back. Then came the JJ to Bont goal. At that point I started to believe this could happen. But this was also mixed in with those scary thoughts of our heartbreaking prelim losses. Again, I was too afraid to believe we could do it.

The leadup to the Macrae goal was nail biting. It was an absolute 12 point goal. The ball could have gone into either 50. I happened to see at the corner of the TV, Macrae take a gamble and continue his forward progress into our 50. Then Libba miraculously got the ball and with a kick only he could pull off, perfectly spotted Jack. I felt this kick had the game riding on it. I knew Jack wasn't an excellent kick for goal. I couldn't watch. I walked out of the living room and into the kitchen and just listened. When the I heard the roar I nearly dropped to my knees. The rest of the game from that point onwards I was an absolute mess. It felt like I was running on pure adrenaline. Hope and excitement of finally making the big dance but at the same time the aboslute fear of another heartbreaking loss.

When we were 5pts up and the ball got sent inside their 50, I could have died. What an effort from Wood and what a clearing kick from Roberts. That final peice of play I screamed at the TV for Boyd to dish off to Stringer. It was at that point that I knew we had it. My tone changed from fear and dread to the most joy I've experienced. I was expecting Jake to have a ping but when he squared up to Dickson I became a blubbering mess.

The next day I felt like I had run a marathon. Nope I had simply spent 3hrs on the couch watching the bulldogs in a prelim. Still was on a high though.

The feeling this night beat that of a week later.

[comrade]

I spent the last 5 minutes screaming at my cousin at the game 'how much longer' as he scrambled to get the live stream up on the AFL app to check the time. It felt like he said 'about 5 minutes' for at least an hour.

[bornadog]

I spent the last 5 minutes screaming at my cousin at the game 'how much longer' as he scrambled to get the live stream up on the AFL app to check the time. It felt like he said 'about 5 minutes' for at least an hour.

I had texts coming through from a mate back in Melbourne, every 1 minute for the last 5 and my legs were getting tighter and tighter. I thought we were going to throw away another prelim.

When the ball was kicked backwards that last minute, (was it clay?) the women next to me was screaming why, why. I said then we have this in the bag they are wasting some time.

When Stringer kicked that ball to Dickson, and the ball was sailing through the air, I have never heard a roar like it.

[comrade]

When the ball was kicked backwards that last minute, (was it clay?) the women next to me was screaming why, why. I said then we have this in the bag they are wasting some time.


Pretty sure it was Dunkley that pulled the trigger on the backwards kick. Heart in mouth stuff.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Pretty sure it was Dunkley that pulled the trigger on the backwards kick. Heart in mouth stuff.

It was Smith. I have moments of fear when watching that kick on replay. There were 3 GWS players in close vicinity and only the one bulldog. It wasn't exactly a "safe" kick. If he fubs it, its a GWS goal.

[1eyedog]

I spent the last 5 minutes screaming at my cousin at the game 'how much longer' as he scrambled to get the live stream up on the AFL app to check the time. It felt like he said 'about 5 minutes' for at least an hour.

It just seemed to go on forever, I thought the timekeepers were purposefully waiting for GSW to kick one more goal.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

I had texts coming through from a mate back in Melbourne, every 1 minute for the last 5 and my legs were getting tighter and tighter. I thought we were going to throw away another prelim.

When the ball was kicked backwards that last minute, (was it clay?) the women next to me was screaming why, why. I said then we have this in the bag they are wasting some time.

When Stringer kicked that ball to Dickson, and the ball was sailing through the air, I have never heard a roar like it.

We discussed on here our favourite moments after the JJ to Bont goal. Numerous GF moments were mentioned but this is right up there too.

[bornadog]

We discussed on here our favourite moments after the JJ to Bont goal. Numerous GF moments were mentioned but this is right up there too.

The moment we knew we were in a GF - what a feeling.

[SonofScray]

By now we were home from the Prelim and the start of a really bad illness was setting in. The best-worst few days of my life in the lead up to the GF as I descended into a clammy, delirious mess. Almost missed the Grand Final. Almost. I was prepared to crawl on my hands and knees to get there.

I blame the Giants for being a diseased mess.

[bornadog]

We discussed on here our favourite moments after the JJ to Bont goal. Numerous GF moments were mentioned but this is right up there too.

The moment we knew we were in a GF - what a feeling.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT0DqIzr8IQ&ab_channel=AFL

[bulldogsthru&thru]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gOEX9CWt3o

[bulldogsthru&thru]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW2kZtsiKAY

[Ozza]

My favourite footy day ever, and one of the best days of my life.

Flew in to Sydney, and a mate who lives in Balmain picked me up. He lived next door to Heath Shaw, Haynes and two other GWS players that aren't coming to mind. Bit awkward standing there in bulldogs scarf as they piled into a couple of cars to head to the game.

That huge pub near the ground was jam packed of doggies before the game, singing the theme song, and I would have met up either intentionally, or by accident, around 20-25 people I knew (including Mantis). The West of Melbourne were taking over Western Sydney!

Walking into the ground, I didn't have the same feeling of dread I'd had walking into the 'G' for prelims past. I felt confident - but also had a feeling that 'if we don't get the Giants today, we may never get them' (they obviously haven't quite kicked on as I'd expected).

Found our seats, 3rd row just forward of the wing, to the 'right of screen'. Sat between two of my mates who are brothers - and Woof's own Slimpickens and Giansiraccuser. And we were behind the dogs recruiters, a couple of who I knew from Willy cricket club. And around us plenty of Dogs players' family's, some Smorgan's, Delia's etc.

The game ebbed and flowed and was as exciting as you could imagine. In the last quarter, when we got behind by 14 points i had a weird thought, which was "thats ok - don't want to hit the front too early" and fully expected the resurgence. Very un-bulldog like optimism. When JJ kicked to the Bont....it was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced in my life. When the siren blew - I never saw Dickson take the kick - was in a huge man hug with the boys, and even hugged Bont's mum and some other random spectators....told Dalrymple he was a "f'n genius" and proceeded into the night catching up with many long suffering bulldogs supporters and celebrating.

Absolutely pinching myself the next morning that it was true and we were into the Grand Final. But also had no doubt in my mind that we were to be premiers, because if we could get through that game against the giants, then nothing was stopping us.

[The bulldog tragician]

The moment we knew we were in a GF - what a feeling.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT0DqIzr8IQ&ab_channel=AFL

Every. Single. Time...I still cry.

The things that could have gone wrong!! The tiny decisions, deflections, half touches that all mattered, and for once all went our way. And the sound of that roar as that little chain of possessions that ends with Dickson...oh wow.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

My favourite footy day ever, and one of the best days of my life.

Flew in to Sydney, and a mate who lives in Balmain picked me up. He lived next door to Heath Shaw, Haynes and two other GWS players that aren't coming to mind. Bit awkward standing there in bulldogs scarf as they piled into a couple of cars to head to the game.

That huge pub near the ground was jam packed of doggies before the game, singing the theme song, and I would have met up either intentionally, or by accident, around 20-25 people I knew (including Mantis). The West of Melbourne were taking over Western Sydney!

Walking into the ground, I didn't have the same feeling of dread I'd had walking into the 'G' for prelims past. I felt confident - but also had a feeling that 'if we don't get the Giants today, we may never get them' (they obviously haven't quite kicked on as I'd expected).

Found our seats, 3rd row just forward of the wing, to the 'right of screen'. Sat between two of my mates who are brothers - and Woof's own Slimpickens and Giansiraccuser. And we were behind the dogs recruiters, a couple of who I knew from Willy cricket club. And around us plenty of Dogs players' family's, some Smorgan's, Delia's etc.

The game ebbed and flowed and was as exciting as you could imagine. In the last quarter, when we got behind by 14 points i had a weird thought, which was "thats ok - don't want to hit the front too early" and fully expected the resurgence. Very un-bulldog like optimism. When JJ kicked to the Bont....it was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced in my life. When the siren blew - I never saw Dickson take the kick - was in a huge man hug with the boys, and even hugged Bont's mum and some other random spectators....told Dalrymple he was a "f'n genius" and proceeded into the night catching up with many long suffering bulldogs supporters and celebrating.

Absolutely pinching myself the next morning that it was true and we were into the Grand Final. But also had no doubt in my mind that we were to be premiers, because if we could get through that game against the giants, then nothing was stopping us.

I had this the following week at the GF. I just had this feeling that we would win. It felt strange.

btw what was Bonts mum like throughout and after the game? Was she as fanatic as us dogs fans?

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Every. Single. Time...I still cry.

The things that could have gone wrong!! The tiny decisions, deflections, half touches that all mattered, and for once all went our way. And the sound of that roar as that little chain of possessions that ends with Dickson...oh wow.

Do we, as long suffering dogs fans, just have this inate ability to pick these things out? Every time I watch the replay I see things that could have gone wrong. Thank Bont they went our way.

[The bulldog tragician]

Ps. It is still so jarring to hear Brian Taylor saying after Dickson marks it: “ A point will secure them a draw.” How could he have lost the thread of the match so much that he didn’t understand the significance of where the game was at#youhadonejob

[The bulldog tragician]

Do we, as long suffering dogs fans, just have this inate ability to pick these things out? Every time I watch the replay I see things that could have gone wrong. Thank Bont they went our way.

I always somehow feel the fanatical belief of that group would have survived those usual random quirks o balls bouncing oddly or other things...after all the JJ non-goal decision could have made us hang our heads, to this amazing bunch it was just another hiccup.

There are two moments in the footage above that still make my heart race. When Scully gets it in the middle of the ground and pounds it forward...even though Wood brought it to the deck, there were 50/50 contests that we could have lost. And in the last ball up on the wing, the ball sort of ricochets past both Griff8n and Kelly and comes to us (the ultimate “hot” footy). And yeah, that kick backwards, not to mention the pickup and kick from Fletcher ROberts...well, actually there were millions of heart stopping moments and I’m so glad I was there.

[bornadog]

I always somehow feel the fanatical belief of that group would have survived those usual random quirks o balls bouncing oddly or other things...after all the JJ non-goal decision could have made us hang our heads, to this amazing bunch it was just another hiccup.

There are two moments in the footage above that still make my heart race. When Scully gets it in the middle of the ground and pounds it forward...even though Wood brought it to the deck, there were 50/50 contests that we could have lost. And in the last ball up on the wing, the ball sort of ricochets past both Griff8n and Kelly and comes to us (the ultimate “hot” footy). And yeah, that kick backwards, not to mention the pickup and kick from Fletcher ROberts...well, actually there were millions of heart stopping moments and I’m so glad I was there.

JJ running into the space of Scully could have been a 50 metre penalty

[swampdau]

Mum drove up from Melbourne and met me in Canberra, and then we drove up together.

I have to confess something - I’m a card carrying member of the Plastics. I went from going to multiple games every weekend when I lived in Melbourne, to four live games a year in Canberra. The only way to guarantee undercover seating is to be a member. And believe me, when it can snow up here, you don’t want to be out on the open wing. But the point of this is that I had access to giants members tickets, and my thinking was I would save some seats for doggies fans if we went through the giants allocation.

Mum and I were lucky enough to be in the fans standing at the banner to cheer the guys onto the field. It was an indescribable feeling and the noise was insane.

We then go to our seats - which turn out to be in with the giants players, WaGs and sponsors. If looks could kill as Mum and I inched through the rows to our seats in full bulldog regalia, we were dead a thousand times over.

I don’t have too much recollection of the game itself - I just remember the feelings, which yo-yo’d between ecstasy and extreme anxiety and often both at the same time. But at some point I remember looking around and realising that we were directly below the Giants coaching box and the AFL executive seats.

The relevance of this is that when Dickson marked at the end, and Mum and I are jumping up and down in our seats screaming, I look up and behind and I can see the countdown clock in the Giants coaching box say “0:29”. And I realise we have won. (Of course there was still plenty of time to do something stupid, but that never entered my head. I just knew.)

And then when it was all over and the Giants fans start walking dejectedly from their seats, two of them stand up and start yelling at Gil McLachlan standing on the tier above “get rid of the bye! it wrecked the finals series!” so of course I stand up and yell at Gil “keep the bye! best thing ever!” and he smiled.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

That feeling of anxiety we all had was displayed perfectly by Libba snr when the camera cut to him throughout the game

[jeemak]

That feeling of anxiety we all had was displayed perfectly by Libba snr when the camera cut to him throughout the game

He had the look of a man who was being stalked by a crazed killer.

[josie]

Mum drove up from Melbourne and met me in Canberra, and then we drove up together.

I have to confess something - I’m a card carrying member of the Plastics. I went from going to multiple games every weekend when I lived in Melbourne, to four live games a year in Canberra. The only way to guarantee undercover seating is to be a member. And believe me, when it can snow up here, you don’t want to be out on the open wing. But the point of this is that I had access to giants members tickets, and my thinking was I would save some seats for doggies fans if we went through the giants allocation.

Mum and I were lucky enough to be in the fans standing at the banner to cheer the guys onto the field. It was an indescribable feeling and the noise was insane.

We then go to our seats - which turn out to be in with the giants players, WaGs and sponsors. If looks could kill as Mum and I inched through the rows to our seats in full bulldog regalia, we were dead a thousand times over.

I don’t have too much recollection of the game itself - I just remember the feelings, which yo-yo’d between ecstasy and extreme anxiety and often both at the same time. But at some point I remember looking around and realising that we were directly below the Giants coaching box and the AFL executive seats.

The relevance of this is that when Dickson marked at the end, and Mum and I are jumping up and down in our seats screaming, I look up and behind and I can see the countdown clock in the Giants coaching box say “0:29”. And I realise we have won. (Of course there was still plenty of time to do something stupid, but that never entered my head. I just knew.)

And then when it was all over and the Giants fans start walking dejectedly from their seats, two of them stand up and start yelling at Gil McLachlan standing on the tier above “get rid of the bye! it wrecked the finals series!” so of course I stand up and yell at Gil “keep the bye! best thing ever!” and he smiled.

Great story. Bet your Mum forgave you. Not sure I could support a club with so many obnoxious players but then again I live in Melbourne home of most games (in normal so times).

[Daughter of the West]

Don’t tell my kids or husband, but that day was the best day of my life.

Flew up early afternoon & met my sister and friends at the ground. We were seated behind the goals at the stand end.

I think I spent the whole game dying and convinced we’d trip up at the end. My only clear memory (aside from my sister being stuck in the bar line for most of the second quarter) is Macrae’s goal and the spirit he flung his fist through the air with afterwards. After sitting on tenterhooks for what felt like FOREVER, suddenly the siren rang out. We. Had. Done. It!

My sister burst into tears. I was in shock. Congratulatory texts were streaming through my phone. Our group of seven headed down into the ground, laid down and made snow angels in the sweet, sweet turf. We headed back towards Central and found a pub for a pot and parma, which also happened to be showing the replay. There weren’t many in the bar when we got there, but with 10 minutes to go in the final quarter, we all turn around and realise that the pub is chock full of doggies supporters still riding every ball. One smart arse bar tender decided to change the channel & almost got lynched. The siren sounds and the whole bar breaks into “Sons if the West”, absolutely roaring!

Barely slept that night & caught a mid morning flight home. A seas of RW&B greeted me at the airport, and Smorgo was a few up the queue, looking absolutely delighted and getting plenty of love from all the dogs fans (a handshake from me included). An American couple in front in the queue asked me, “Who’s that man? Everyone seems to be very friendly with him!” so I gave them a short history of the Bulldogs, including the events of the previous evening.

I had booked a flight with the intention of heading to the VFL GF as well, but was completely spent by the time I got home, so just spent the afternoon watching the game and cuddling my then 9 month old (it my first overnight away from the little guy).

[1eyedog]

Don’t tell my kids or husband, but that day was the best day of my life.

Flew up early afternoon & met my sister and friends at the ground. We were seated behind the goals at the stand end.

I think I spent the whole game dying and convinced we’d trip up at the end. My only clear memory (aside from my sister being stuck in the bar line for most of the second quarter) is Macrae’s goal and the spirit he flung his fist through the air with afterwards. After sitting on tenterhooks for what felt like FOREVER, suddenly the siren rang out. We. Had. Done. It!

My sister burst into tears. I was in shock. Congratulatory texts were streaming through my phone. Our group of seven headed down into the ground, laid down and made snow angels in the sweet, sweet turf. We headed back towards Central and found a pub for a pot and parma, which also happened to be showing the replay. There weren’t many in the bar when we got there, but with 10 minutes to go in the final quarter, we all turn around and realise that the pub is chock full of doggies supporters still riding every ball. One smart arse bar tender decided to change the channel & almost got lynched. The siren sounds and the whole bar breaks into “Sons if the West”, absolutely roaring!

Barely slept that night & caught a mid morning flight home. A seas of RW&B greeted me at the airport, and Smorgo was a few up the queue, looking absolutely delighted and getting plenty of love from all the dogs fans (a handshake from me included). An American couple in front in the queue asked me, “Who’s that man? Everyone seems to be very friendly with him!” so I gave them a short history of the Bulldogs, including the events of the previous evening.

I had booked a flight with the intention of heading to the VFL GF as well, but was completely spent by the time I got home, so just spent the afternoon watching the game and cuddling my then 9 month old (it my first overnight away from the little guy).

Great story thanks for sharing.

[merantau]

We discussed on here our favourite moments after the JJ to Bont goal. Numerous GF moments were mentioned but this is right up there too.
There were so many great Bulldog moments in this game. Tory Dickson had a couple of rippers. The goal he kicked when he outpointed two close-checking opponents and the mark and play on leaving GWS defenders looking at each other stemmed the tide in the last and from there the momentum swung.
But yes, the roar of the crowd while the ball is still yet to reach the safe arms of Dickson is my favourite moment, just pipping JJ’s run/Bont’s goal and the marvellous coast to coast leading to Caleb’s goal in the shadows of 3/4 time.
What a game that was. Sensational performance. Theatre to the max with an all-star cast. A thrill a minute ride especially for those in the house.

[Twodogs]

Don’t tell my kids or husband, but that day was the best day of my life.

Flew up early afternoon & met my sister and friends at the ground. We were seated behind the goals at the stand end.

I think I spent the whole game dying and convinced we’d trip up at the end. My only clear memory (aside from my sister being stuck in the bar line for most of the second quarter) is Macrae’s goal and the spirit he flung his fist through the air with afterwards. After sitting on tenterhooks for what felt like FOREVER, suddenly the siren rang out. We. Had. Done. It!

My sister burst into tears. I was in shock. Congratulatory texts were streaming through my phone. Our group of seven headed down into the ground, laid down and made snow angels in the sweet, sweet turf. We headed back towards Central and found a pub for a pot and parma, which also happened to be showing the replay. There weren’t many in the bar when we got there, but with 10 minutes to go in the final quarter, we all turn around and realise that the pub is chock full of doggies supporters still riding every ball. One smart arse bar tender decided to change the channel & almost got lynched. The siren sounds and the whole bar breaks into “Sons if the West”, absolutely roaring!

Barely slept that night & caught a mid morning flight home. A seas of RW&B greeted me at the airport, and Smorgo was a few up the queue, looking absolutely delighted and getting plenty of love from all the dogs fans (a handshake from me included). An American couple in front in the queue asked me, “Who’s that man? Everyone seems to be very friendly with him!” so I gave them a short history of the Bulldogs, including the events of the previous evening.

I had booked a flight with the intention of heading to the VFL GF as well, but was completely spent by the time I got home, so just spent the afternoon watching the game and cuddling my then 9 month old (it my first overnight away from the little guy).

Grow up quickly don't they?

I remember watching the replay with my then teenaged son tgenext day. 20 minutes into the last quarter he said "dunno about you dad but I'm more stressed now than I was last night!

[Ozza]

I had this the following week at the GF. I just had this feeling that we would win. It felt strange.

btw what was Bonts mum like throughout and after the game? Was she as fanatic as us dogs fans?

I don't think I recall much of the Bontempelli's during the game because they were a few rows back but as soon as the siren rang, Mr Bont had raced down to the fence and Mrs and others were near us - and there was just pandemonium.

[jazzadogs]

The moment we knew we were in a GF - what a feeling.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT0DqIzr8IQ&ab_channel=AFL

I watched this in a little shack on the Isle of Skye with the worst internet connection I could have possibly imagined. The picture froze every few seconds, and then skipped forward 15-20 seconds. It tore me apart not knowing what was happening.

There are a few moments I distinctly remember it freezing. One is at 32 seconds, ball on the orange HFF, Whitfield head down to pick it up and collides with Morris' hip. I fully expected the next unfreeze to be Whitfield lining up for goal, and almost started crying in that 20 seconds.

50ish seconds - boundary throw in. Relief, mixed with anxiety because it's still a very attacking position.

1.10 - another boundary throw in. Well done. (I wish I'd been able to see Toby's clearance live, such poise - he deserves to be a centre square clearance player).

I'm sure I saw something before this, but I remember Dunkley having the ball on the back flank. Analysing in my head and looking at the terribly pixelated screen to figure out if he had any other short options. *!*!*!*!. He's gonna have to kick it long.

Ball bouncing through that pack into Macrae's arms. You can't see his options in shot, so I expected at best a hack kick forward.

It didn't unfreeze, but suddenly (I must have not only been frozen, but delayed) my facebook messages lit up - "YESSSSS SO HAPPY FOR YOU" "GO DOGS" "AMAZING" "YOU HAVE TO BE FLYING BACK FOR THIS?!?!?"

Tears of joy.

It unfreezes, the boys are on top of each other, I'm on the floor. Incredible.

I don't regret my time living overseas, but holy shit do I wish it had been any other year.

[westbulldog]

I just watched this again today, inspirational, tear in the eye stuff. Imagine if we had Tom Boyd in the team for tomorrow week.... https://www.afl.com.au/news/49175/into-the-fury-this-years-afl-season-launch-film

[jeemak]

I just watched this again today, inspirational, tear in the eye stuff. Imagine if we had Tom Boyd in the team for tomorrow week.... https://www.afl.com.au/news/49175/into-the-fury-this-years-afl-season-launch-film

Goodness me……..more of that bloody hay fever!

Some supporters will never know what it's like to follow a real club. It's not their fault, they'll just never know.

[Bulldog4life]

I just watched this again today, inspirational, tear in the eye stuff. Imagine if we had Tom Boyd in the team for tomorrow week.... https://www.afl.com.au/news/49175/into-the-fury-this-years-afl-season-launch-film

Wow. You just can't watch that without a tear(s) in your eyes. You need the tears. What a film.

[jazzadogs]

I just watched this again today, inspirational, tear in the eye stuff. Imagine if we had Tom Boyd in the team for tomorrow week.... https://www.afl.com.au/news/49175/into-the-fury-this-years-afl-season-launch-film

Let's hope the Josh Bruce redemption arc is just as sweet.

[Twodogs]

Goodness me……..more of that bloody hay fever!

Some supporters will never know what it's like to follow a real club. It's not their fault, they'll just never know.

It really is an honour and a privilege to be allowed to follow this club isn't it?

You're right they will never understand.

[Vred]

The week leading upto this game was hell for me, after witnessing first hand a death at my work place I was placed on leave so I had some time off, but my mental state wasn't all that great. For the entire week I was tossing up ''do I go up on the buses or do I stay home'' my girl friend (we had only been dating for 2-3 months at that time) told me that If I wasn't feeling mentally up to it I should stay in Melbourne where I had mental support through her, friends and family. The day of the game rolled around and to say that I regretted not going was huge.

I remember her coming around before the game started and bought our favorite take out, then we sat infront of the TV for the next 3 hours in my little bungalow in Kew and proceeded to have probably the most up and down emotional three hours of my life, with the last ten minutes of the game I couldn't even sit anymore and was just pacing back and forth swearing up a storm anytime it didn't go our way.

The last two minutes I honestly thought I was going to have a heart attack, the feeling in my chest was one I could taste in my mouth, years of anxiety and all the built up emotion from the previous week started to surface and came out when that kick from Stringer was mid-way through the air and caught by Dickson, I looked at the clock, at my missus, and broke down into a blubbering ball of crying mess, when the final siren sounded I went outside and yelled so loud in excitement half of Kew probably heard. I fluctuated between crying and celebrating for the rest of the night.

The rest of the week was a blur, I don't remember it, and the Grand Final win was the icing on the cake. But for me, for me the win over GWS in that Prelim was bigger than winning the GF. I knew going into the GF that we were going to win, not something I ever felt with the dogs, but that game I just knew that this group will snatch it, but that prelim will forever be burned into my brain for the rest of time as not only one of the Bulldogs best moments, but one of, if not the best game of AFL football ever played.

[Eastdog]

Luke Darcy “I have been wanting to say this as long as I can remember. The Bulldogs go through to a grand final can you believe it”.

[merantau]

The week leading upto this game was hell for me, after witnessing first hand a death at my work place I was placed on leave so I had some time off, but my mental state wasn't all that great. For the entire week I was tossing up ''do I go up on the buses or do I stay home'' my girl friend (we had only been dating for 2-3 months at that time) told me that If I wasn't feeling mentally up to it I should stay in Melbourne where I had mental support through her, friends and family. The day of the game rolled around and to say that I regretted not going was huge.

I remember her coming around before the game started and bought our favorite take out, then we sat infront of the TV for the next 3 hours in my little bungalow in Kew and proceeded to have probably the most up and down emotional three hours of my life, with the last ten minutes of the game I couldn't even sit anymore and was just pacing back and forth swearing up a storm anytime it didn't go our way.

The last two minutes I honestly thought I was going to have a heart attack, the feeling in my chest was one I could taste in my mouth, years of anxiety and all the built up emotion from the previous week started to surface and came out when that kick from Stringer was mid-way through the air and caught by Dickson, I looked at the clock, at my missus, and broke down into a blubbering ball of crying mess, when the final siren sounded I went outside and yelled so loud in excitement half of Kew probably heard. I fluctuated between crying and celebrating for the rest of the night.

The rest of the week was a blur, I don't remember it, and the Grand Final win was the icing on the cake. But for me, for me the win over GWS in that Prelim was bigger than winning the GF. I knew going into the GF that we were going to win, not something I ever felt with the dogs, but that game I just knew that this group will snatch it, but that prelim will forever be burned into my brain for the rest of time as not only one of the Bulldogs best moments, but one of, if not the best game of AFL football ever played.

Great post Vred. You really nailed it. I thought we were gone when they got those two quick goals to go 14 points up. But then Dicko goaled pretty quickly and we grasped the game and the momentum. There were still plenty of heart stopping moments after Bont's marvellous goal - the tension was off the scale in the last couple of minutes and the roar when the ball was heading towards Dicko was epic. Like you, I felt certain we would win the big one after that. The GF was great and also super exciting and tense (who can forget 'The Wall of Biggs') but, for me too, the Prelim is my favourite game of the two - just!