Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

[Bornadog]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

You were a strapping young fellow BAD at your first VFl game, that is you on the wing isn't it?

I do feel that old sometimes.

[Eastdog]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

Would today's match now count as a Top 20 Whitten Oval memory. Was so exciting catching the train out from the east to the Whitten Oval yesterday for my first Bulldog AFL matchday experience there.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

All the way with you Eastie,catching the train from dandy all the way to whitten oval and just seeing all the doggies fans just lining up to get into the ground @ 3pm and just to stand there outside the main gates in front of Teddy's statue and just soak up the atmosphere of anticapation,excitenent and nervous energy is something that I will cherish till the day I die!

[Eastdog]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

All the way with you Eastie,catching the train from dandy all the way to whitten oval and just seeing all the doggies fans just lining up to get into the ground @ 3pm and just to stand there outside the main gates in front of Teddy's statue and just soak up the atmosphere of anticapation,excitenent and nervous energy is something that I will cherish till the day I die!

Yep I found it was very easy getting train there and back. West Footscray train station looks quite good and coming back home again there was a fair few Doggies people about.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

Took me a total of 1 hr 20 from dandy to southern then got on sunbury line @ southern to west footscray,not bad at all I thought.
Had a few doggies and tigress fans going home as well.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

Took me a total of 1 hr 20 from dandy to southern then got on sunbury line @ southern to west footscray,not bad at all I thought.
Had a few doggies and tigress fans going home as well.

Took me 1hr from Frankston by train to Southern Cross. Met John Bradbury on the way back, who played for Footscray with Ted Whitten, John Schultz late 50's to early 60's, what a gentleman. I may join his golf club and continue the friendship.

[Twodogs]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

How do those train times compare with the drive?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

How do those train times compare with the drive?

Roughly about the same for me, the train might be a little bit quicker.
Also don't have to worry about parking and drink driving on the train.

[Jeanette54]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

My most memorable moments at the Western Oval were,

Ted's last game, it was played on a fairly wet day (and that magnificent banner made by the Hawks cheer squad..... great effort guys). I still have the Footy Record from that day.

The awful silence after the Neil Sasche incident.

Bob Nunn, the umpires advisor, collapsing and being carried off on a stretcher. Don't know why they needed one, there was always ten thousand or so in the crowd to do the job.

Freddy Cook ruling the goal square.

First game for Bernie Quinlan and Barry Round.

The mauling Melbourne gave us on my fifth birthday. Yes it was a very long time ago, but that still hurts.

One magic, sunny day against top side Geelong. They were a very good side then, and for some reason the Western Oval was buzzing pre-game. The reserves did their bit with a narrow win to set up the atmosphere, then the firsts jumped them early and never let go. John Jillard played a great game and we ran away to a huge win. If fading memory is right I think we kicked 21.18 that day.

I also remember the rain and wind in your face on a wet day at the scoreboard end, the peanut man, the police horse being ridden up Footscray Road after the game, the abysmal toilets, the canvas covered TV cameras on the roof of the building next to the John Gent stand (on the rare occasions that we were televised), the concrete terraces in the outer stand, the stand at the drill hall end, being able to see the old Fiesta Theatre from the stand, and the home game walk from Pickett Street to the ground. And finally,of course, the Hyde Street band.

I am so grateful that my grandfather (an old Footscray boy) took the time and trouble to take me, and being there with him is my best memory of all.

[Eastdog]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

Roughly about the same for me, the train might be a little bit quicker.
Also don't have to worry about parking and drink driving on the train.

Yeah once I get more experience driving then someday ill drive to Footscray but I still believe going to Etihad or WO the train is the best option unless you have someone who picks you up by car. With the trains like you said you don't have to worry about a car park.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

How do those train times compare with the drive?

About the same strangely, even using the freeway or tollway. And there's no way to meet your John Bradburies.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

About the same strangely, even using the freeway or tollway. And there's no way to meet your John Bradburies.

Yes I remember John Bradbury BID. Very olive skin if my memory served me correct a bit like Ian Bryants. Played half back I think. Was on the fringe of selection. Great he still goes to see the doggies play. Did you recognize him?

[Twodogs]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

My dad used to work with Ian Bryant at Footscray council. He said he hated being out marked even when they were having a kick at smoko.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

My dad used to work with Ian Bryant at Footscray council. He said he hated being out marked even when they were having a kick at smoko.

That's funny. God he was a beautiful drop kick whether on the wing or back pocket.

[Jeanette54]

Re: Top 20 Whitten Oval Memories

I well remember Ian Bryant, one of our back pocket heroes.

If we had of had as many champion forwards as we did back pocket players in those days our premiership count would have been drastically increased.

There was in the day, Charlie Evans, Ian Bryant, Ray Walker, Gordon Casey and Terry Wheeler. Of these only Ian Bryant, who went to the centre, managed to escape the pocket. In those days rovers rested in the forward pocket, not on the bench and these guys had some incredible talent to mind. Not sure about Charlie Evans but I believe the rest would have represented Victoria during their careers.