The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

[The bulldog tragician]

When I look back at this precious day, I am actually stunned how calm I was. I'd always thought I'd be consumed with terror at the thought of us being embarrassed on grand final day if we finally got there, but it was somehow all about floating on the tide of emotion.

The best moments were sometimes outside the actual day: seeing the 'G with our emblem painted on it; the way Old Footscray town came alive to urge our team on and then celebrate the win; the packed train on the way to the Grand Final parade; the feeling at our beloved home the next day when we all packed in to celebrate, and my sister and I fulfilled a long-held promise to lie down on the grass where my dad played for the reserves in the 50s.

Here's the blog for that day/week: http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-...were-the-force

[Eastdog]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

What a great week it was TBT. I did it all. The whole of Melbourne and Victoria was awash with red white and blue.

- Went to the Grand final training session at Whitten Oval, Footscray on Thursday morning with 10,000 fellow supporters.

- Went to the Grand Final Parade on Friday with over 100K people.

- Went to the Grand final itself on Saturday at the MCG with close to 100K there.

- Went to the Premiership party day at Whitten Oval, Footscray the next day with 30K supporters.


Would love to do this all again in the future!

[comrade]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

I was nervous, but a lot more optimistic pre game than I was before the prelim. The sense of destiny was so strong, it felt like the result was already determined.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

When I look back at this precious day, I am actually stunned how calm I was. I'd always thought I'd be consumed with terror at the thought of us being embarrassed on grand final day if we finally got there, but it was somehow all about floating on the tide of emotion.

The best moments were sometimes outside the actual day: seeing the 'G with our emblem painted on it; the way Old Footscray town came alive to urge our team on and then celebrate the win; the packed train on the way to the Grand Final parade; the feeling at our beloved home the next day when we all packed in to celebrate, and my sister and I fulfilled a long-held promise to lie down on the grass where my dad played for the reserves in the 50s.

Here's the blog for that day/week: http://www.bulldogtragician.com/the-...were-the-force

Couldn't have said it better myself. Highlighted points especially. I also took a screen grab of the AFL.com.au homepage that had "Bulldogs v Swans 2016 AFL Grand Final" on it. It seemed a bit surreal to see our logo and colours everywhere associated with a grand final. Each year watching the premiers hoist the cup on the dias, I dreamt of it being us. When the moment arrived for us it just seemed.....natural.

Like you I was quietly nervous yet mostly calm. The nerves came from the event itself rather than what was on the line. Being my first grand final in attendance it certainly had a different feel to it. It was as though there was a lessened importance as it took on a feel of a regular game.

Typically a close game in an important final would be excruciating ala the prelim a week before. But I was so calm. So positive. So sure we would win. I liked that feeling and I miss it!

[Bornadog]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

Grand final week I don't think I did a sceric of work. It was so exciting knowing that we were actually in a grand final and we could enjoy the build up as Easty mentioned with Training, the Parade, meeting at Fed Square.

Like BT, I wasn't nervous at all, I just wanted to enjoy the day and I was quietly confident we were going to win.

When JJ kicked that goal, I was ecstatic, and thought this was our premiership, but then came down to earth with a thud as there was still time for Swans to kick a couple. Of course when Boyd kicked his goal after the great tackle from Morro, I knew then it was all over bar the shouting.

At the end, text messages were coming in from everywhere and my daughter rang me from Japan (she was there on extended holiday). I thought I would be a blubbering mess, but I didn't shed a tear. After the presentations etc, instead of going to the pub, I headed home as I couldn't wait to watch the game again. My wife was shocked when I arrived home.

Whenever I re watch the match, I do get teary eyed - a great memory.

[Twodogs]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

Grand final week I don't think I did a sceric of work. It was so exciting knowing that we were actually in a grand final and we could enjoy the build up as Easty mentioned with Training, the Parade, meeting at Fed Square.

Like BT, I wasn't nervous at all, I just wanted to enjoy the day and I was quietly confident we were going to win.

When JJ kicked that goal, I was ecstatic, and thought this was our premiership, but then came down to earth with a thud as there was still time for Swans to kick a couple. Of course when Boyd kicked his goal after the great tackle from Morro, I knew then it was all over bar the shouting.

At the end, text messages were coming in from everywhere and my daughter rang me from Japan (she was there on extended holiday). I thought I would be a blubbering mess, but I didn't shed a tear. After the presentations etc, instead of going to the pub, I headed home as I couldn't wait to watch the game again. My wife was shocked when I arrived home.

Whenever I re watch the match, I do get teary eyed - a great memory.

I went straight home too even though I always thought I'd paint the town red. I just wanted to see my kids and my dad more than anything else.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

I was nervous, but a lot more optimistic pre game than I was before the prelim. The sense of destiny was so strong, it felt like the result was already determined.

I was the same on GF.
I had trepidations every game of the finals, thought we would lose to West Coast, then Hawks, then GWS....
I was quite calm on Grand Final day.

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

https://ibb.co/N1gqjcQ

And the Western Suburbs erupt...

[Eastdog]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

I went straight home too even though I always thought I'd paint the town red. I just wanted to see my kids and my dad more than anything else.

Yeah also went home as well. I took the train in from the eastern suburbs in the morning which had plenty of excited Doggies supporters on board and then before getting picked up by mum after the game I got my Mark knight poster 2 copies one for my wall and one just kept for being lamented and rolled up and just amazed at what the Dogs achieved.

[Bornadog]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

The dam wall has broken

[Grantysghost]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

Can't believe it's four years. Went with my mum and wife, mum was at 54 so was very special.
Hugged randoms, shed tears, enjoyed The Living End. My childhood footy days ended when that final siren went. Thirty five years of being crap, ok, close, robbed, heartbroken all kärchered away by that amazing team.

I was amazingly lucky enough to go to the after party. Still pinch myself I got to talk to Bevo one on one; "can you believe this?" I said to him...."No!" was the response.
I even got a man hug off of Easton. Very special day.

I'm enjoying this second chapter being a Dogs supporter. Let's hope the wait isn't as long and we start by burying those cheating aints this weekend ! Go Dogs !

[jazzadogs]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

I had a couple of thoughts today, reflecting on Tom Boyd's grand final moments and overall career.

1) Has there ever been a more outrageous and unexpected moment than Tom Boyd's 60m bomb to win a grand final? I've seen Hodge kick goals, I've seen Leo Barry take contested marks, I've seen Aker and Chappy kick snap goals. I'd never seen Tom Boyd kick a 60m bomb. The only thing I can think of that is close is Wayne Harmes belting the ball back in from the front row for the blues.

2) Who would look back at their career more fondly - Tom Boyd or Nick Riewoldt (insert your own player who played a lot of games but didn't win a flag). Riewoldt played over 300 games, captained his club, AA and B&Fs, he did it all - but he played in 2 losing grand finals, 1 draw, and has one of the most demoralising GF moments in Heath Shaw's smother. Boyd retired after a 61 game career during which he was top 3 on field in a winning grand final. It's a genuinely tough call.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

I had a couple of thoughts today, reflecting on Tom Boyd's grand final moments and overall career.

1) Has there ever been a more outrageous and unexpected moment than Tom Boyd's 60m bomb to win a grand final? I've seen Hodge kick goals, I've seen Leo Barry take contested marks, I've seen Aker and Chappy kick snap goals. I'd never seen Tom Boyd kick a 60m bomb. The only thing I can think of that is close is Wayne Harmes belting the ball back in from the front row for the blues.

2) Who would look back at their career more fondly - Tom Boyd or Nick Riewoldt (insert your own player who played a lot of games but didn't win a flag). Riewoldt played over 300 games, captained his club, AA and B&Fs, he did it all - but he played in 2 losing grand finals, 1 draw, and has one of the most demoralising GF moments in Heath Shaw's smother. Boyd retired after a 61 game career during which he was top 3 on field in a winning grand final. It's a genuinely tough call.

I would have just given the nod to Nick but his dive tarnished his reputation and he got his just deserves.

In all seriousness I’d normally say the likes of Riewoldt. However given the incredible circumstances of the win for Boyd - a drought breaking bulldogs premiership - it makes it a difficult decision such was the occasion.

I always have a similar conversation with friends. Who has the more meaningful career - one club legends such as Riewoldt/Grant/Robert Harvey etc who did everything but win a premiership or the likes of Lake or Tom Lynch who jumped clubs but won premierships?

[Twodogs]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

Yeah also went home as well. I took the train in from the eastern suburbs in the morning which had plenty of excited Doggies supporters on board and then before getting picked up by mum after the game I got my Mark knight poster 2 copies one for my wall and one just kept for being lamented and rolled up and just amazed at what the Dogs achieved.

That means you felt sorry for it Easty! I think you meant laminated.

I had a couple of thoughts today, reflecting on Tom Boyd's grand final moments and overall career.

1) Has there ever been a more outrageous and unexpected moment than Tom Boyd's 60m bomb to win a grand final? I've seen Hodge kick goals, I've seen Leo Barry take contested marks, I've seen Aker and Chappy kick snap goals. I'd never seen Tom Boyd kick a 60m bomb. The only thing I can think of that is close is Wayne Harmes belting the ball back in from the front row for the blues.

2) Who would look back at their career more fondly - Tom Boyd or Nick Riewoldt (insert your own player who played a lot of games but didn't win a flag). Riewoldt played over 300 games, captained his club, AA and B&Fs, he did it all - but he played in 2 losing grand finals, 1 draw, and has one of the most demoralising GF moments in Heath Shaw's smother. Boyd retired after a 61 game career during which he was top 3 on field in a winning grand final. It's a genuinely tough call.

I've always said that you play footy to win premierships. The AAs and being club captain and B&Fs are nice but they are essentially ephemeral (ephemera?) to getting on the dais and being handed a premiership medal and doing a lap with the cup. If I were Nick Riewoldt I would give it all up to swap places with Tom Boyd for that one day alone.

[EasternWest]

Re: The nostalgia series - the best premiership EVER, 4 years ago today

The dam wall has broken

LOVE that photo.