What game do you regret not attending?

[westdog54]

Inspired by Jeemak and Twodogs' discussion on the Bulldogs v Collingwood thread.

We all must surely have a 'Geez I wish I was there' game or ten in our memory banks.

I can't go past the GWS prelim. I'll be eternally envious of all that were able to make the trip. The atmosphere came across on TV as being absolutely nuts. Not only that, but its the best game of football I've ever watched from start to finish.

Is there any other match, Bulldogs or otherwise, you would love to go back in time and attend?

[comrade]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

Bulldogs v Sydney 2015. The game that many within the club say was the catalyst for our rise.

[1eyedog]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

Fantasy: 1954

In my lifetime: When Doug broke Ted's record. I was sick with bronchitis and could not attend. I will be eternally devastated.

The GWS Prelim was the best game I've ever been to for pure atmosphere. It was unique because it had a suburban ground feel and it was special because of the pilgrimage itself but also because it was the opposition's home ground and we outnumbered them.

Oh yeah we won too.

[Webby]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

The week 1 elimination final against WCE.

Had made a pact with a mate to go anywhere to see us play finals, but then when we drew WCE in Perrh on a THURSDAY (!!!) I simply couldn't afford to take the necessary two days off work to get there. I was filthy with the AFL for the timing!

In hindsight, I wish I'd found a way.

The other was the game at Moorabbin in 84 (I think) when we came from 40 odd points down at 3/4 time to pip the 'Aints. Had a crew of friends going, but I pulled out the morning of the game.

[Bornadog]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

When Doug broke Ted's record.

That is the first game that came into my head. I was living in Asia in the 1990's and missed almost all games from 1991 to 1998 (except finals in 98), and maybe two each year when I came back during holidays.

Bulldogs v Sydney 2015. The game that many within the club say was the catalyst for our rise.

Then I read Comrade's post and yeah, I would have loved to have seen that one. My mate took his young son and also went into the rooms before and after the game - great atmosphere.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

The GWS prelim, duh.

Would have LOVED to have been there -- the road trip and the whole thing. Such a special experience. You lucky buggers.

[Twodogs]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

The week 1 elimination final against WCE.

Had made a pact with a mate to go anywhere to see us play finals, but then when we drew WCE in Perrh on a THURSDAY (!!!) I simply couldn't afford to take the necessary two days off work to get there. I was filthy with the AFL for the timing!

In hindsight, I wish I'd found a way.

The other was the game at Moorabbin in 84 (I think) when we came from 40 odd points down at 3/4 time to pip the 'Aints. Had a crew of friends going, but I pulled out the morning of the game.

I remember that saints game. Me, Tommy and Andrew sitting in the Huggins stand. Neil Cordy playing in from the goal square and mucking it up. Wanting to go home at 3/4 time but Janka saying "No" we were seeing it out no matter what that was the deal when we got tickets in the stand. Getting progressively smaller and quieter as the mood turned nastier and nastier until we could hold it in no longer and jump for joy when Possum Williams (I hink) kicks the winner. Rows of people in front of us turn around and start abusing us.

[jazzadogs]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

It has to be the GWS prelim for me too. I've been fortunate through the rest of my Bulldogs life (~1999-now) that I've been at most major games - finals, milestones, retirees. Moving overseas put an end to that, and I really felt like I missed out last year. It's hard to quantify but I do feel like missing the season (when I would normally attend 90% of melbourne games) lessened my joy post-GF.

Not in my lifetime, and not a game, but I wish I'd been at the Fightback rally in 89. I feel like it's a real badge of honour amongst Bulldogs.


And finally, a story of regret.
I met a guy last week, mid-20s, from Footscray who was at Oktoberfest last year with his girlfriend. Dogs won the prelim, he couldn't afford to fly home which was gut-wrenching but he was dealing with it. Day before the GF, he's found a bar in Munich showing the match, and his girlfriend tells him HE'S NOT ALLOWED TO WATCH IT BECAUSE THEY NEED TO LINE UP FOR ENTRY!!!
The fool went to Oktoberfest, still hasn't seen the match because the pain is too real, and broke up with her a week later. A week too late, some may say.

[Mofra]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

Grant's 300th (and Glove's debut) against the Crows - I had a wedding to attend so couldn't go.
Still annoyed I missed it.

[Twodogs]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

It has to be the GWS prelim for me too. I've been fortunate through the rest of my Bulldogs life (~1999-now) that I've been at most major games - finals, milestones, retirees. Moving overseas put an end to that, and I really felt like I missed out last year. It's hard to quantify but I do feel like missing the season (when I would normally attend 90% of melbourne games) lessened my joy post-GF.

Not in my lifetime, and not a game, but I wish I'd been at the Fightback rally in 89. I feel like it's a real badge of honour amongst Bulldogs.


And finally, a story of regret.
I met a guy last week, mid-20s, from Footscray who was at Oktoberfest last year with his girlfriend. Dogs won the prelim, he couldn't afford to fly home which was gut-wrenching but he was dealing with it. Day before the GF, he's found a bar in Munich showing the match, and his girlfriend tells him HE'S NOT ALLOWED TO WATCH IT BECAUSE THEY NEED TO LINE UP FOR ENTRY!!!
The fool went to Oktoberfest, still hasn't seen the match because the pain is too real, and broke up with her a week later. A week too late, some may say.

If I found the bar then it's bye bye Oktoberfest and anything or anyone silly enough to try and get in between me and the bar.

Oktoberfest will on again next year, exactly the same as this this year, would have been the overarching narrative.

[Eastdog]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

Great thread westdog54.

For me it's the 2 finals we played interstate last year in week 1 and 3 against the Eagles and Giants. Like many woofers that prelim final was just special. Was a nerve racking couple of hours there seeing whether we would make it through or not but we did and it will never be forgotten. Glad to have gone to that Semi final against the Hawks and of course the Grand Final against the Swans as that once like the prelim was just special as it has been so long since we last made it.

The Swans games during the season in 2015 and 2016 would have been great to attend. JJ getting the winning goal in 2016 just fantastic after coming back from injury.

Not in my era but would have loved to have witnessed the 54 premiership and also the 89 fightback (late 80s when I was born) when we saved our great club - also the classic games we played at the Western/Whitten Oval.

[Twodogs]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

Great thread westdog54.

For me it's the 2 finals we played interstate last year in week 1 and 3 against the Eagles and Giants. Like many woofers that prelim final was just special. Was a nerve racking couple of hours there seeing whether we would make it through or not but we did and it will never be forgotten. Glad to have gone to that Semi final against the Hawks and of course the Grand Final against the Swans as that once like the prelim was just special as it has been so long since we last made it.

The Swans games during the season in 2015 and 2016 would have been great to attend. JJ getting the winning goal in 2016 just fantastic after coming back from injury.

Not in my era but would have loved to have witnessed the 54 premiership and also the 89 fightback (late 80s when I was born) when we saved our great club - also the classic games we played at the Western/Whitten Oval.

What an awesome time. A thing like that really binds you to your club thick or thin because you know what footy death feels like. Losing your club isn't just an abstract notion for us.

Going from that to the premiership last year was quite a trip. I hope they have Irene Chatfield a medal too.

[Mantis]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

2000 vs Essendon

2015 vs Sydney

2016 vs West Coast

[Daughter of the West]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

The GWS prelim, duh.

Would have LOVED to have been there -- the road trip and the whole thing. Such a special experience. You lucky buggers.

It was hands down the best thing I have ever done. In my mind, better than the GF!

I wish I had gotten to see the first final v Weagles live. Sitting at Subiaco with most of the crowd totally silent would have been legendary.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: What game do you regret not attending?

Essendon, 2000.