First Whitten Oval memory

[Maddog37]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

The earliest for me was probably about 1980. My parents were cheer squad members. We played Collingwood and as a pre game entertainment just before the banners were raised. My brother and sister were dressed as bulldogs and I was dressed as a wee little magpie with black and white streamers as feathers. I had to run as fast as I could around the centre square with my bulldog brother and sister chasing me. When they caught me they ripped my feathers off and I was stretchered off. Lol. I don't remember who won but I was only 6.

That is fantastic stuff.

[Shop Early]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

Twodogs, Ted's last game was my first game too and is the reason my whole life since has revolved around the FFC. On the strength of that game I became a junior member and have been a member ever since! I was also at both the other games referred to by craigsahibee. (Once I got bitten by the Bulldog bug, I didn't miss many games at all - home or away, until the early 1980s. I can honestly say I saw every game at Western Oval from 1970 to 1980. Great memories!)

[Missing-Dog]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

The earliest for me was probably about 1980. My parents were cheer squad members. We played Collingwood and as a pre game entertainment just before the banners were raised. My brother and sister were dressed as bulldogs and I was dressed as a wee little magpie with black and white streamers as feathers. I had to run as fast as I could around the centre square with my bulldog brother and sister chasing me. When they caught me they ripped my feathers off and I was stretchered off. Lol. I don't remember who won but I was only 6.

Gold.

[KT31]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

First game at WO was a reserves match, good mate of my old mans was a trainer and boot studder for them.
He took me into the rooms to meet a few players and grabbed a footy for me to have a kick with.
The liniment smell still puts a smile on my face and takes me back.
First memories of a senior game was me dressed up in full bulldogs gear ( including boots ).
Walking over the bridge and loving everyone being dressed in the red, white and blue.
We were standing near the police horses and dad spotted a hole in the wire so we snuck and sat in the reserve section near the fence. Can't remember if we won or not ( probably not back then)
Just remember we played the Hawks and how tall all the players were.
Walking home I kept getting patted on the back and my hair scuffed up by Doggies supporters.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

As a late convert who never saw the Dogs play at the Whitten Oval, I am loving these stories. Keep em coming!

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

As a young boy in the early 60's I was lucky enough to get into the rooms most home games. A very good friend of our family, Roy Evans, was coaching Footscray reserves in the early 60's and he would arrange for my dad and myself to be admitted. To see all my heroes up close was mesmerizing for a young kid. They are my earliest memories and I still remember those great days vividly.

I also have fond memories of Roy Evans, our first finals captain in '38. His son Neil is a regular at our games travelling each week from Woodend.

[Eastdog]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

As a late convert who never saw the Dogs play at the Whitten Oval, I am loving these stories. Keep em coming!

Agree. As a 'younger Dogs supporter' some great stories. Especially love the stories from fans who used to travel from far away to the Whitten Oval to see the Dogs.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

I also have fond memories of Roy Evans, our first finals captain in '38. His son Neil is a regular at our games travelling each week from Woodend.

A terrific cricketer and magician too NBP. A good number of ex- players in the Bulldogs Heritage Book spoke so highly of him. A real character and a person you would never forget. We used to visit him and his wife Emma regularly at their home in Maidstone. I know Neil but haven't seen him for yonks.

[LostDoggy]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

I have a couple of early memories from the Western/Whitten Oval. The first was that game v Collingwood in 1984 where Graeme Allan kicked across goal and Simon Beasley marked it, kicked the goal, siren went and we won! I also remember Rod Grinter breaking Terry Wallace's jaw right in front of where we were sitting in 1988.

[Twodogs]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

I have a couple of early memories from the Western/Whitten Oval. The first was that game v Collingwood in 1984 where Graeme Allan kicked across goal and Simon Beasley marked it, kicked the goal, siren went and we won! I also remember Rod Grinter breaking Terry Wallace's jaw right in front of where we were sitting in 1988.

The fact that Plough played the next week with his jaw sticky taped back into his face shows how tough he was. One of the gutsiest efforts I've seen.

[Ozza]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

I have some vague recollections of seeing 2 games during the 88' season. The first against Brisbane, we won (about 11 goals to 5) and then we got flogged by Tony Lockett and the saints later in the year. Both games I watched on from the EJ Whitten stand, and the reserves players used to sit not far from us to watch the Senior game.
From '89 onwards, we sat in the Whitten stand for all home games, and then obviously followed suit to Princess park and Etihad.

[dadsgirl16]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

My first game would have been early 60's ....couldn't tell you which game exactly but one of my first memories is running on to the ground at the end of a game with autograph book in hand and being bowled over and my cherished autograph book being ripped in two....tears ensued and I have been shedding them ever since being a Doggies supporter!! Wouldn't have it any other way tho

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: First Whitten Oval memory

The first game I went to was Teddy Whitten's last. That would make it round 5 1970.

I don't know how much of the game I saw because my sole memory is flattening a cardboard box any sledding down the slope behind the scoreboard.

I remember that game. Ted shanked one from close in at Geelong Rd end, to the 'oohh's of the crowd. Then minutes later threaded a torp from a long way out to the aahh's of the crowd.
One of my first memories of The Western Oval was v Richmond and Richmond's fullback with perfectly Brylcreemed hair, Fred Swift, who was a beautiful drop kick, was kicking out and right next to him, just as he was about to kick the ball, someone in the crowd yelled out "Jump on your head Fred".