What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

[whythelongface]

Finally we have broken the drought and gotten over the line in the prelim. This is an amazing feeling seeing our team in the GF. We really are on the crest of the wave. Our coach, our team of super stars, the growing amount of support, the media love etc. Who would have thought this back in the dark days of the 80's and 90's and even more recently as October 2014.

Being a non-Victorian I somehow managed to end up following the Bulldogs (circa 1982/83), thankfully I settled on a team prior to the move north of South Melbourne so I didn't end up supporting those opposite us on Saturday. it has been one hell of a ride.

However, as a non-Victorian, I don't have the intimate history that a lot of you have in supporting the Bulldogs ie. that local history, what is like going to the Western Oval week in week out supporting our team, being there at the coal face particular when we were struggling financially and looking at merging - all these things that make this team what it is today.

What does making the GF mean to you and the local community? Even further still what would winning a GF mean?

[BulldogBelle]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

When we win on Saturday my life will be complete.

No more to be said,

[bulldogtragic]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

Where to start? For decades we've been the butt of arrogant schmucks jibes, and losing 7 prelims feed into a tragic narrative. To get into a Grand Final changes this past history and leads us into a new history. And it's how we've done it, even the schmucks are 100% behind us. We've gone from pity 23 months ago, to toast of the industry.

Personally, it doesn't erase memories of 1997 and 2009, but that pain needed relief and this is just the tonic. This is the reward for sticking fat in all the lean years. To stand among 100,000 people at the MCG with most barracking for us, the banner, stop for the photo, anthem and first bounce is beyond my wildest dream this year. And the feeling is so foreign, but incredibly europhic. I'm just so genuinely happy for something I usually say is just a game. But this is so much more for us all.

For our region, our people and standing it could be great. For so long we've been tagged as battlers, minnows, insignificant and other terms that frame our club in a particular way. Battlers don't bounce back all year. Minnows don't go to Perth and smash the in form team. Insignificant teams don't stop the 4-peat in front of 87,000 people. Battlers don't beat a team given every conceivable advantage over you including having several of your former best players. Poor cousins don't play Grand Finals and go into the game having beaten the opponent the last two times and at their home ground.

For so many people, like my nan who couldn't get in in 1954 and who thought she'd die without ever seeing them live play in a Grand Final it sews new history into a family that has been shaped around this club, and sharing stories and memories of the Western Oval and love of players from generation to generation of Charlie & EJ to Dougie & company, to Grant/Johno/West/Smith and now Bob/Bonts and many others.

Awesome. Amazing. Happy. Love. Pride. Winning. Course changing. History making. What was the question again?

[Throughandthrough]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

Have a look at the foundation stone on the old Footscray Town Hall, my Grandfather was Mayor when it was laid. His name is on it.

My Uncle was also Mayor of Footscray, and was on the board of Footscray for many years. He's a life member of the club.

My Dad was born in Seddon, and demanded I barrack for the Scrays about 45 or so years ago.

Those blokes are all long gone but for them I carry the flame.

I will be there with my first born, he's 18 and basically the dogs are the biggest thing in his life.

Not for a second pretending i'm any more passionate or any more proud or any more deserving that anyone on this fabulous forum, just so glad that I belong to the Dogs and they belong to me.

My Shout Saturday night, i'll be the bloke wearing Red, White and Blue stuff.

[Eastdog]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

It was the greatest moment in my time as a Western Bulldogs supporter last Saturday night. Absolutely love this club. We have always battled and gone through the tough times but we just keep on fighting. First side in history to make a GF from 7th and could win it from there - brillant. Started supporting the Dogs around the early 2000s and I'm the only one in my family who is a Doggie and have never regretted it. I live out in the east and I fly the Bulldog flag high. Will be the greatest ever moment for myself and most of us on here if we win on Saturday.

[merantau]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

Where to start? For decades we've been the butt of arrogant schmucks jibes, and losing 7 prelims feed into a tragic narrative. To get into a Grand Final changes this past history and leads us into a new history. And it's how we've done it, even the schmucks are 100% behind us. We've gone from pity 23 months ago, to toast of the industry.

Personally, it doesn't erase memories of 1997 and 2009, but that pain needed relief and this is just the tonic. This is the reward for sticking fat in all the lean years. To stand among 100,000 people at the MCG with most barracking for us, the banner, stop for the photo, anthem and first bounce is beyond my wildest dream this year. And the feeling is so foreign, but incredibly europhic. I'm just so genuinely happy for something I usually say is just a game. But this is so much more for us all.

For our region, our people and standing it could be great. For so long we've been tagged as battlers, minnows, insignificant and other terms that frame our club in a particular way. Battlers don't bounce back all year. Minnows don't go to Perth and smash the in form team. Insignificant teams don't stop the 4-peat in front of 87,000 people. Battlers don't beat a team given every conceivable advantage over you including having several of your former best players. Poor cousins don't play Grand Finals and go into the game having beaten the opponent the last two times and at their home ground.

For so many people, like my nan who couldn't get in in 1954 and who thought she'd die without ever seeing them live play in a Grand Final it sews new history into a family that has been shaped around this club, and sharing stories and memories of the Western Oval and love of players from generation to generation of Charlie & EJ to Dougie & company, to Grant/Johno/West/Smith and now Bob/Bonts and many others.

Awesome. Amazing. Happy. Love. Pride. Winning. Course changing. History making. What was the question again?

Great read BT.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

Good thread Lf

Like many on here, I've had my ups and downs in life. But I recall David Smorgon relating what it means to be 'Bulldog' in a television interview. It represents a kind of spirit, to keep fighting. A tenacity to keep at it, and that's why I follow the club.

But if you toil for long enough without effort, you start to question yourself.

When I first started barracking for the club, I thought to myself " I want to be there the day things turn full circle and will stick at it until I see it done". I admit at times I am not good at sticking at things. This final is an affirmation, a reward for effort and a valuable lesson on how to survive tough times. None of the so called experts said we would make it. This proves that sometimes the experts and the 'system' are wrong. We made it! So whatever troubles you are having, be more bulldog and your final will come! ( if it doesn't work, sack the coach trade the captain and give it another go. And whatever you do ignore the Damien Barrett's and the Robbos in life. They don't know shit. )

[merantau]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

We have been written off so many times but we are still here reminding the football world that we are staunch. But in football you need to win the flag to put the icing on the cake: the cake that's called "RESPECT".
Winning the flag means everything to me. Winning this year is what we deserve after all we have gone through. We will have the crowd on our side. Let's put on a good show and send the punters home with smiles on their faces. Go Dogs!

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

I don't know yet still trying to get my head around the win against West Coast

[Topdog]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

It was just like a giant weight lifted off the shoulders. In a sense it feels strange because I had essentially given up on this happening. This was my lot in life as a Dogs supporters, destined to be prelim final failures.

I've received probably 6 or 7 phone calls from people who havent spoken to me in years this week wishing me all the best and hoping that I had a ticket. Its huge.

I've said "We're in the ******* Grand Final" at least 100 times so far this week. Monday (waiting for tickets) was the most stressful day of my life.

I'm bitterly disappointed that I won't go to the game with my 6 year old boy. He wasn't interested in footy until about 6-7 weeks ago so never bothered getting him a membership. I'm still entering every competition I can find to get him there with me. Financial situation has changed now so I have him onboard for 17.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

It was just like a giant weight lifted off the shoulders. In a sense it feels strange because I had essentially given up on this happening. This was my lot in life as a Dogs supporters, destined to be prelim final failures.

Good call. Me too. Only just remembered this

[chef]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

I dont care about 97 or 09 anymore. That pain is now gone.

[comrade]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

I dont care about 97 or 09 anymore. That pain is now gone.

That's one of the best things. 1997 won't be uttered when referring to the Dogs, regardless of what happens on Saturday. Libba's point, Bubba punching the ground. These clips won't be shown anymore. Now it'll be Libba Jr kicking to Macrae, JJ zooming away, Stringer hitting up Dickson.

All those moments of failure are resigned to the annals of history.

[SonofScray]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

Making the Grand Final triggered off pandemonium where I was sitting. Just pure, unadulterated joy. It was a moment of mass catharsis, I literally felt a weight off my shoulders.

During the game and the build up the weight of every PF loss and associated heartaches started to compress on me, to the point that pre game I spent about an hour locked in the hotel room toilet crying and paralysed with anxiety. It was the most intense thing I have ever experienced. I am so glad I hate GWS and was able to project a lot of that onto them and off load some of my loathing and hostility. I doubled down and got to the pub to meet family and friends before joining the throngs of Scraggers in the stands. I was screaming, shouting pacing, ruffling my mate's hair. My aunty teared up when the boys ran out, I did too. Kept thinking to myself "PLEASE DOGS. THIS TIME. PLEASE" I was full of belief but still had a small guard up.

I haven't had a drink in years but decided a few ales pre game would be fit given the occasion. Should have just waited until post game because I didn't enjoy those drinks but by jingo, that beer post game was the best beer I've ever had.

Mostly though making the GF was about my family past and present. They have stuck fat, been staunch for so long and through this Club have generated so many enriching moments. To see their unwavering belief and commitment open up an opportunity to see another Flag wag was incredible. It feels like my strongest values of resilience and effort have been vindicated, or given the opportunity to be at least.

I thought about my Daughter, 10 months old at home with her mum and my in laws and what this Club has in store for her and how through her the legacy of my Nan will carry on down the line and that between us all, the joy of the week and the potential of a Flag That Wags will never fade.

[Rocket Science]

Re: What does making the Grand Final mean to you?

Even sweeter - in a most schadenfreudey way - is that reminiscing of the Giants' 'history' now begins with Libba handballing to Tom Boyd handballing to Stringer centreing to Dickson...

May they marinate in that for quite some time.

In my best MacAvaney affection; "Deliciouuuus!".