Events Thread

[bornadog]

I am. Looking forward to it.

I can't make it, but would love a short report (or long if you can)

[Max469]

I can't make it, but would love a short report (or long if you can)

Happy to. Won't be as good as what you normally write but will do my best

[Eastdog]

Yep like BAD will be great to read the report. Much appreciated Max469.

[cinder]

Don't forget - Social Club function, RSVP is in 8 minutes at 10am today!

[bornadog]

Don't forget - Social Club function, RSVP is in 8 minutes at 10am today!

Done

[cinder]

Done

Likewise! See you there!

[dadsgirl16]

me too!

[Smads57]

Contacted the club yesterday re the final Inside The Kennel function and was advised it will be 14 Dec with advertising on the website from early next week. This final edition each year usually presents the new recruits.

[choconmientay]

Came across this trolling the Internet .... Join us at the Bulldogs Shop relaunch

[choconmientay]

From the HS ....

AFL: Western Bulldogs set for Torquay camp, fans to meet Luke Beveridge
DAMIEN RACTLIFFE
November 14, 2017 12:47pm
Subscriber only

WESTERN Bulldogs fans will get direct access to coach Luke Beveridge and some of the star Dogs when the 2016 premiers head to Torquay for a preseason camp.

Beveridge and a selection of players will be guests at Barwon Bulldogs’ annual dinner at Capri Receptions on Tuesday, December 19.

Usually about 150 Dogs fans attend the night, and the confirmation of Beveridge’s attendance this year might even smash that number.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. Of course, the one we had at the beginning of the year was wonderful; we had the premiership cup and all the wonderful memorabilia, so it will be a bit of a toned down version,” Barwon Bulldogs general secretary Dianne Russo said

“It’s the first one we’ve been able to get Luke there in person — he’s always been away on draft camps — so we’re pretty rapt this time.”

Raffles and auctions of Bulldogs memorabilia will held during the night.

For more information and dinner tickets please contact barwonbulldogs@hotmail.com.

[Max469]

Hi Everyone.
This is part 1 of my report from the Champions of the West Dinner last night. Long winded I am sorry. Trying to give you as much info as I could after a few wines.
Around 240 people in attendance. Lovely food

Lots of silent auction & 10 Live Auctions. Prices were between $500-1150 – they got bargains.

Started off with 2016 Highlights Package.

Darce, Johnno and Smithy were first up.

Darce said we what we all know – we were robbed in 1997. He also talked about when he took Robbie out at training and how Robbie wrote Coward on his locker – which stayed there until he retired.
He also said about the Equality vote was a historic day in Johnno & Rohan life. Lots of laughter as you can imagine.

There were lots of jokes about Rohan& Johnno’s relationship. Johnno said it was a love/hate relationship for the 1st year.

Rohan’s wife used to say ‘your boyfriend’ is on the phone when Johnno called. He took her to New York for their 20th Wedding Anniversary last year.

Johnno was proud to be red white and blue.

Rohan said how his family all grew up as Doggie supporters & he talked about his 1st game in 1992 when Squirrel took him off the ground & put him back on with 20 seconds to go.

They then gave their memories of Robbie & Matt.

Robbie:
Rohan said – couldn’t do 1 chin up – too skinny and shaved head. Bench Press, Bench Push & Chin up – Pathetic
Darce said – he picked him up for his 1st training session and this kid who he had been told was going to win all the awards and 3 Brownlow – walked out of the house with no shoes and no bag. He thought it was the worst decision ever and he would last 4 weeks. Said 18 years later – still there.
Johnno said – chirpy, always had a lot to say.
Smith said – Best ever off half back. His 1st goal was the worst kick ever.

Matt:
Darcy: Matt is very intense. Matt used to count how many weights Darcy did & let him know about it. It was great how far he come off the rookie list.
Rohan: Told of GF day when Bevo & Smith came down on the ground with 2 min 10 secs to go and he said to Matt – go and enjoy it he told him to **** off and just wanted to go back on. When he told him he was a Premiership player – he would not believe it.
Also said how he liked his drinks labels a certain way would bounce the ball off the wall. In the VFL it was different and had to do it under the Grandstand.
Johnno: Said that he used to kick at a low level and try to switch the Power point on.
The MC said how he shared a birthday with Don Bradman.

[Max469]

Champions of the West Dinner -
2nd half had the 3 ‘Young Guns’ Robbie, Matt & Liam Picken

1st up Liam – showed highlights of his career

Said the when he started as VFL player playing against AFL Players it built him up.
When Bevo came on board he changed his role & he was excited to take on the new challenge.
In his first AFL game he played against Brent Harvey who he kept scoreless.
He talked about when he collided with the Goal Umpire in 2003 and how he heard the SNAP of the Umpires Anterior Crucial Ligament.
Going over the West for the Elimination Final against West Coast in 2016 – said her was confident we were going to win.
Best Finals player with 2 vital goals on GF day. Felt confident in the morning. 2nd Q 0 the Swans steamrolled. At half time was not worried and knew at 20 min of the last quarter it was ours as we have a tight knit group.
Still celebrating. Bit of a blur.

Feels the love from the supporters specially the old ones who have been around the club for many years.
Very happy with the Equality Vote.

About Robbie

He talked about when Gia was injured so he shared with Robbie. Bed time came and Robbie stripped to sleep naked. Liam got his own room after that.

About Matt

He said that he tried to run like Boyd & Crossy but was not as good. Very professional.
Last couple of years his best yet.

[Max469]

Champions of the West Dinner - part 3 - one to go

Danny McGinlay the banner man was on next with his routine.

Matt Boyd was next

His childhood dream to play football. Proud and honoured to have played for the Dogs.
Proud to have been Captain. Was challenging and a learning experience as we did not win many games.
He felt he was a better leader after the captaincy.
Said he was proud of himself as he didn’t think he would even play 50 games.
It is more than Footy it is the people you meet and the connections you make.
Said how important the friendships he made where. Said Robbie was special.
Wanted to teach his kids to be good people. He would not change anything.
Said sometimes you forget to stop and enjoy the moments.
He said he has lightened up in the past couple of years but still a nutter.
Couldn’t believe he was a Premiership Player.
Bevo had faith.
Development coach at Collingwood.
Good feeling going to Perth within the Team.
Has a mental block about the Prelim. The younger players didn't want to know about the past history - they wanted to create their own.

Said Johnno & Rohan - within 60 metres of goal - would never handball. Johnno had tunnel vision.

[Max469]

Final part - sorry it was so long. It was a fantastic night.

Champions of the West Dinner -

Robbie

Reflections: happy to be there – Bulldog for ever.
Remembers catching the train to the big city and how big the players were.
His 2 ACL’s – were such a set back. Timing was all wrong on both of them.
Had an easy childhood – nothing went wrong.
Thought he won Lotto when he got drafted.
Proud of his 18 years and needed to do the Captaincy at 32 because he was old enough to have seen enough to be Captain & there was a sense of desperation because it did not work with the other person.
The team just gelled.
Passing on to his kids that life is not a boulevard of unbroken dreams.
He gave his version of being knocked by Darcy. Wondered what planet he woke up in.
He said the foundation was still solid with in the club and we relaunch as we were a proud club.
Greatest Final series of all time – Sporting folk lore.
The boys were very confident of beating the Swans and knew during the finals that GWS was going to be hard.
He was emotional enough for everyone.

Grand Final Day

Robbie said that the younger players were uncomplicated and confident.
Didn’t expect the medal – still feels strange but it speaks more about Bevo as a person and the medal was for the 23rd man – Wallis, Redpath and the others who did not play.
He didn’t it was going to happen but did say that John Schultz told him to stay close.

Boyd
Libba left his boots at home and his mate had to bring them in an Uber.
Some on the younger players were at the ground hours before and just sat in Yarra Park on the seat from about 11am. Some people didn’t know who they were and asked if they had tickets for the game.
Had his bag packed for GF day 3 days prior.
Advice given – don’t treat it as just another game –because it is not.

Question & Answer time:

A gentleman asked Rohan if he remembered him – because he was Santa when Rohan was a little boy and he sat on his knee and wished for a bigger bag of lollies.
Robbie won’t play again at this stage. His brother is a Seaford and is trying to get him to play one game there but he says he can’t even run around the block at the moment.
Robbie says Easton will be next Easton. Jokes by saying he needs to mentor Bonti as he might be going off the rails.
Johnno talked about John Barnes.
Rohan talked about his son Jacob. No superstar – Wants to play for the dogs. Wont be drafted not ready but played the last 3 games in the VFL
Robbie was asked about Aka. He said it said: It is pretty hard to get to be asked to leave by 2 clubs and he left it at that.

[Eastdog]

Haven't read through all that yet Max469 but from that it looks like you had a great night. Looking forward to reading it.