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The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Four years ago today, we continued our amazing march to the finals. Sandwiched in between the stunning win in Perth and the emotion of the preliminary final, we perhaps forget that we were underdogs, coming up against the Three-Peaters, one of the best sides ever, filled with seasoned campaigners.Many wondered if we'd played our Grand Final against the Eagles and would suffer a let down.
Only two Footscray/Western Bulldogs teams had played in front of crowds bigger than this: the 54 premiers, and the 61 grand finalists. What better omen could we have had that history was about to be made. There was a brawl (we won) and the dawning realisation that these guys wanted a flag more badly than any other team I've seen. My blog on that win:
http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-.../2016-finals/2
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
When the Hawks shot out to around a 4 goal lead, I said to the crew I was with that it was over and I wanted to leave.
Not my proudest moment.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
We absolutely slaughtered the Hawks that night. Let them get a few cheapies in the last when it was all over.
At the end of the match started making my way down with a few mates, after the players had left the ground. Majority of Hawks fans had already gone. All of a sudden we heard a mighty roar and thought what is happening so we turned back up the steps and all the fans who were still there were singing the song along with the players who were projected onto the big screen.
It was a great feeling knowing we were in the prelim.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Arrived at this game at about 3:30 in the afternoon with my old man....to stand in the line outside the MCC members and dash in to get the best spot on the wing, level 2. Walking through the CBD before hand with the bulldogs scarf accompanying the suit, I had quite a few random people say "go the dogs" or other comments about how they hoped we beat the hawks. Felt like everyone neutral was very much behind us/anti-Hawthorn. I had been to the Cats/Hawks game the week before, with Dogs scarf on, and people seemed to be with us and had loved the Eagles victory the night before.
Felt absolutely sick with nerves in the lead up to the game and didn't enjoy dinner in the long room beforehand and could barely even have a beer (which I can assure you is not normal!). I was just dreading the scenario of once again not being able to beat a team like Hawthorn in a final....they after all, are winners - and we are (were) not.
But the funny thing during the game, was that even when we were 4 goals down, it felt like we were playing pretty well but just not having a lot of luck and Hawthorn were just really really efficient.
The second half of the second quarter when we got rolling, it felt like we were just about to roll over them - but half time came too soon. But to come out and completely dominate the 3rd quarter was bliss.
After the game, soaked up the win in the long room with many pots until they closed, and the morning after, my wife was quick to suggest that I just book a flight to Sydney for the next week...even her as a cats supporter was swept up in it!
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Originally Posted by
Ozza
Arrived at this game at about 3:30 in the afternoon with my old man....to stand in the line outside the MCC members and dash in to get the best spot on the wing, level 2. Walking through the CBD before hand with the bulldogs scarf accompanying the suit, I had quite a few random people say "go the dogs" or other comments about how they hoped we beat the hawks. Felt like everyone neutral was very much behind us/anti-Hawthorn. I had been to the Cats/Hawks game the week before, with Dogs scarf on, and people seemed to be with us and had loved the Eagles victory the night before.
Felt absolutely sick with nerves in the lead up to the game and didn't enjoy dinner in the long room beforehand and could barely even have a beer (which I can assure you is not normal!). I was just dreading the scenario of once again not being able to beat a team like Hawthorn in a final....they after all, are winners - and we are (were) not.
But the funny thing during the game, was that even when we were 4 goals down, it felt like we were playing pretty well but just not having a lot of luck and Hawthorn were just really really efficient.
The second half of the second quarter when we got rolling, it felt like we were just about to roll over them - but half time came too soon. But to come out and completely dominate the 3rd quarter was bliss.
After the game, soaked up the win in the long room with many pots until they closed, and the morning after, my wife was quick to suggest that I just book a flight to Sydney for the next week...even her as a cats supporter was swept up in it!
Arranging travel plans for the prelim in the days following the semi final was good fun.
Our 1954 premiership players are our heroes, and it has to be said that Charlie was their hero.
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Originally Posted by
The bulldog tragician
Four years ago today, we continued our amazing march to the finals. Sandwiched in between the stunning win in Perth and the emotion of the preliminary final, we perhaps forget that we were underdogs, coming up against the Three-Peaters, one of the best sides ever, filled with seasoned campaigners.Many wondered if we'd played our Grand Final against the Eagles and would suffer a let down.
Only two Footscray/Western Bulldogs teams had played in front of crowds bigger than this: the 54 premiers, and the 61 grand finalists. What better omen could we have had that history was about to be made. There was a brawl (we won) and the dawning realisation that these guys wanted a flag more badly than any other team I've seen. My blog on that win:
http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-.../2016-finals/2
Marvellous writing. Really enjoyed it BT.
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
I watched this game in Lombok on Australia+ TV. We get 5 live games a round during the season which is pretty damn good. Free-to-Air too!
So, like many, I couldn't believe our early misses and was gutted at how easily they scored. But gradually the worm turned and the second half was sheer bliss!
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Went to this game. Was sitting on Level 1 in the Olympic stand. Great night that was. Everyone wanted us to win. The Hawks started off well but we came back into the game strongly and ran over the top of them in the end.
"Footscray people are incredible people; so humble. I'm just so happy - ecstatic"
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Originally Posted by
merantau
Marvellous writing. Really enjoyed it BT.
Trag might have her own preferred seller, but if you liked the writing of the blog you should get the book!!
https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-mig...863959254.html
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Originally Posted by
jazzadogs
I haven't been able to read my copy yet. Every time I pick it up and start reading I'm balling my eyes out after two pages.*
*True story.
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
That Bont mark on Hodge was crazy satisfying. Also Stringers goal in the third where he kicked it like he was jumping onto a horse was right in front of us and incredible. Also i had a kransky that night that produced the biggest burp of my life. Good times.
I should leave it alone but you're not right
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Originally Posted by
soupaman
That Bont mark on Hodge was crazy satisfying. Also Stringers goal in the third where he kicked it like he was jumping onto a horse was right in front of us and incredible. Also i had a kransky that night that produced the biggest burp of my life. Good times.
Biggest burp? That's a fair effort.
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
What a great night. The walk to the ‘G from Fed Square (after some inspiring speeches by Gordon and others), our tribe singing sons of the west & cheering all the way. It was a surreal feeling-I was surprised how many dogs fans there were.
Echoing Twodogs - I also highly recommend Tragicians book The Mighty West. A great read for all true blue RWB supporters. (My hubby and I still refer to Bailey Dale as Daley Bale-sorry if our memories are slightly awry).
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Originally Posted by
Twodogs
Biggest burp? That's a fair effort.
You think about all the burps he's probably done over the journey, truly momentous. But if there's anything that'll do it it's a kransky washed down with something fizzy.
For a moment you'd have felt like the guy who used to let a long scream in the outer at Waverley Park and get a clap for it.
Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.
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Re: The nostalgia series - four years ago today, our final against the Hawks
Originally Posted by
jeemak
You think about all the burps he's probably done over the journey, truly momentous. But if there's anything that'll do it it's a kransky washed down with something fizzy.
For a moment you'd have felt like the guy who used to let a long scream in the outer at Waverley Park and get a clap for it.
I burped on the Albert Park tram once during GP week and people walking on the street heard it over the F1 cars.
They say Burt Lancaster has one, but I don't believe them.
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