Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
As a younger Doggie supporter who hasn't experienced a match there as yet I wanted to get woofers insights on what a typical matchday there was for the fans at that time. Was it a case of a short stroll down the street to the WO or was it a longer journey with the car from the other side of the city? Did you go to the pubs before and after games etc etc. things like that.
Love to hear some stories.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Very different now compared to when I used to watch us play games there.
Early on for me it was with the parents or grand parents standing for more than 6 quarters of football.
In my teens, traveling down from the country by train and once again standing for the vast majority of 2 games on the day. Long trip home probably getting there by 7.15pm to 7.30pm. Jam doughnuts were a culinary highlight before getting on to the train.
Later on when I was living in Melbourne I was in the ground the moment the gates opened and raced up the stairs to secure a seat in the Can Bar. To this day the best seats I have had at a game of footy sitting right near the 3WRB team "Footballs Best in the West" listening to the Big H, Tommy Lahif and Raquel Stevens.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Train from ripponlea , they had to hand write the train ticket
Change at flinders st a hub of different footy supporters wearing their colours
I remember people getting on the train with live chickens they had bought at the market
Get off at west footscray walking across the bridge full of excitement
Usually a long trip home
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
When I was a kid we'd have salad rolls for lunch and I'd walk up to the ground with my mates. It was was the first place I was allowed to go by myself. We didn't always go straight there.
The Can Bar was the most brilliant place to watch footy from ever, period. I reckon anyway. You could almost bang on the window of the coach's box. Poor Alan Jeans having to sit there.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Well Easty, this is your big chance to finally visit WO on Sunday.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Moved this thread to the Bulldogs Unleashed board. Thought it is better suited here.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Bump. Thought I'd bring this thread up. It's a good off season type Bulldog thread.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Late 70's first memory of dad and I driving from Mulgrave near Waverley Park in our blue fairlane marquis LTD with the velour trim driving to my nanna's house(RIP) in Adelaide St Saturday mornings.
Sometimes we would have fish and chips for lunch from around the corner from her house,caked with skipping girl brown vinegar DELICIOUS!.Other days we would meet my Nan and her bestie Uncle Bert at the ground at the scoreboard end just to the left of the goals with prime front row seats as the two of them would be there when the gates opened to watch all 3 matches.
They would always have on hand for dad and I a couple of rounds of cornbeef and pickle sangers and a full thermos of hot tomato soup(I can taste and smell it all as if it was yesterday).
Mum would always stay at home as she didn't want to see her to MEN upset after another unforseable heavy loss,hoping the long drive back home to Mulgrave would erase most of the disappoint from another loss but it never truly did.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Being brought up in Glen Waverley it was always a long trip out on the train, changing at Flinders St station...but it was often a much longer trip home after another loss. Having never lived in the western suburbs, it was somewhat strange that I always felt at home at the Western Oval and I look back on those times with great affection even though the facilities were well under par.
When I got my licence it was a much easier trip and I always managed to find a park in the side streets of Footscray between the ground and Gordon St. Loved getting there a bit early to watch the reserves do their thing and see who the young blokes were pushing for senior selection.
When I married and we started our family I introduced my young son to the experience at a fairly young age. I used to bring some foldaway steps with me that enabled him to climb up and see the game. They used to let you bring in almost anything those days. Happy times.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Thanks for sharing. Some great insights into the long and short trips for woofers around in the VFL days to the spiritual home. Did you usually have a drink before and after the games at the pub nearby. After win I'm sure many of you would have :)
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Eastdog
Thanks for sharing. Some great insights into the long and short trips for woofers around in the VFL days to the spiritual home. Did you usually have a drink before and after the games at the pub nearby. After win I'm sure many of you would have :)
The Rising Sun Hotel and The Buck were great spots to catch up with some mates before and after a game, especially after a win.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KT31
The Rising Sun Hotel and The Buck were great spots to catch up with some mates before and after a game, especially after a win.
And the Albert.
All gone now. :(
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twodogs
And the Albert.
All gone now. :(
I think you mentioned there now sites for apartments which seems to be the trend nowadays not just in the inner city areas but in the suburbs as well as the population increases.
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Eastdog
I think you mentioned there now sites for apartments which seems to be the trend nowadays not just in the inner city areas but in the suburbs as well as the population increases.
Yep. All the pubs mentioned are now apartments. Horrible looking dog boxes they are.
I noticed the other day that the front bar of The Buck is still intact, maybe they are planning on opening it as a micro pub?
Re: Getting to the Whitten Oval on matchdays in the VFL days and Early AFL days
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Twodogs
And the Albert.
All gone now. :(
and the can bar :D