The buzz building around the “Sons of the West” is reaching fever pitch as the Western Bulldogs roar to within one match of the AFL grand final.
The rampaging Bulldogs bundled reigning premier Hawthorn out of the AFL premiership race in ruthless fashion in Friday night’s semi-final, revelling in the atmosphere of a near club-record crowd of 87,823 at the MCG.
The crowd was the third largest in Bulldog history, with the victory attracting the biggest television audience of the 2016 season to date, peaking at almost two million viewers.
The 23-point win might have surprised some, but not diehard fans such as cheer squad stalwart Irene Chatfield.
Watching her beloved Dogs train before the Hawthorn game, Ms Chatfield told Star Weekly they would not only beat the Hawks but do so “by more than 22 points”.
“I don’t think there’s any need to worry at all – our players are just superb, they’ll stand tall,” she said.
“We’re going to clip their wings and come home with a great win, singing our song; that’s what you want to hear at the end of the game.”
Ms Chatfield plans to bus her way to Sydney for Saturday’s preliminary final clash against the in-form Greater Western Sydney Giants, the final hurdle standing between the Bulldogs and their first grand final appearance since 1961 and a tilt at their first flag since 1954.
If the Dogs can shake the curse that has seen them lose seven straight preliminary finals, she plans to take her 91-year-old mum to the grand final the following weekend.
Coach Luke Beveridge praised his team after Friday night’s win, but warned players there was still work to do.
“We’re down to the last four – imagine what’s happening out there with your supporters and fan base,” he said.
“Imagine how euphoric they would feel. We’ve got to enjoy that sense and understand it … put it in a bottle and take it to Sydney next week.”
The Dogs are also barking in the VFL, with Footscray annihilating Collingwood by 119 points on Saturday to book a berth in Sunday’s grand final against Casey Scorpions at Etihad Stadium.
A rising tide of red, white and blue is appearing as homes and businesses show their support for the “team of the mighty west”.
With football fever running high, Hobsons Bay council has been approached to change the name of Seaholme’s Surf Street to Sutton Street, in honour of Charlie Sutton, who lived on the corner of the street and captained Footscray to its only premiership in 1954.
More than 8000 Bulldogs members snapped up seats at the Giants’ 24,000-capacity Sydney Showground stadium on Monday, compared to only 6200 tickets bought by GWS members.
Bulldogs faithful young and old swarmed into Whitten Oval on Tuesday afternoon, urging on the team in their final open training session ahead of the preliminary final from 5.15pm Saturday.
