We start our series of stories from Bulldogs fans – why they love the Doggies, their favourite players, stand-out memories … see below on how to write for us.
ONE of the best things a Melburnian can do to newcomers is
to tell them to pick a footy team.
And don’t make it easy for them and talk of Collingwood.
Good or bad. Let them pick a team their own way, on their own terms.
It was one of the first pieces of advice I received when I
landed here in 2004 and it helped me get my first job.
“Who do you follow?” the bosses asked in the interview.
My mind went blank – but then I remembered seeing James Hird
running through a news clip the night before in his black Skins. “They’re black
and red,” I said like a true amateur. “So I think it’s the Saints, or
Essendon.”
“ESSENDON!” said one of the men, punching the air with his
fists. The other guy put his head in his hands in defeat. Collingwood
supporter. What can you do? I got the job.
But this is supposed to be a story about my love for the
Bulldogs – so let me explain that my new job was in Tullamarine and it wasn’t
long before then Prime Minister John Howard came down to Whitten Oval and
decreed an overhaul of the place. And then Luke Darcy kept popping up, as he
does, in feature pics and sports shows and I began to rethink my loyalties.
Walking around my Maribyrnong neighbourhood I couldn’t help
but see all the red, white and blue in cottage windows, and hearing stories
about Chris Grant and seeing Brad Johnson kicking and kicking and kicking.
I converted, and now I’m the one being kicked and kicked – and
like a true fan I keep getting up to get kicked again.
With my adoption, I’ve learned that the Bulldogs are often the
“second team” to many fans. People admire how we keep plugging along, whatever
may come – be it knee problems, low membership numbers or increasing debt.
As the years and the team have progressed, so has my
loyalty.
I’ve signed up for my second year of Silver membership –
sitting in the first row at Etihad next to my new best friend, John, a rabid
Doggies fan who wears a Brisbane Lions jacket because he liked Akermanis.
You’ve probably seen John ranting at the umpires in end-of-year film clips –
I’m the one cowering next to him hoping he doesn’t spill my beer (first
quarter) or hot chocolate (third quarter).
I drive him crazy with my American accent but we’re simpatico on our love for the sons of the west. If he’s not
yelling I get nervous. He’s had some health scares this past year and I’m
looking forward to checking in with him on March 30.
Other fans have a similar affect on me. If they’re not in
the stands, I ask around if anyone’s seen them.
There’s the Bulldogs family that sits in the Footscray end
with the identical triplet sons. And Beverly, who I frequently end up sitting
next to on the tram on the way back through the CBD
after the games.
And all the grandfathers and grandmothers who bring their
grandkids to the games along with flasks of hot tea to drink from ceramic mugs,
hot dogs wrapped in foil from home, and blankets made from years of membership
scarves.
When your family lives thousands of miles away, in a part of
America that
didn’t have a major league team from any sport within a three-hour drive, these
people become your new family.
You build up a familiarity with the fans and the
players that strengthens over the years to the point that when they win, you
win. When they hurt, you hurt. (Dale Morris!)
Truly, the best thing a new Australian can do is to get
herself a footy team. And the Bulldogs are the best “second family” I could
have.
Thanks, Dogs.
TELL US YOUR STORY – WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Too slow, no forward line, no spark, no progress. It’s going to be a long, hard season for the Western Bulldogs if you believe the nay-sayers – and there are plenty.
So we’ve decided to put the blinkers and ear muffs on and examine our love affair of all things red, white and blue.
We’ll be publishing stories from Bulldogs fans – why they barrack for the boys from Whitten Oval, their favourite players, stand-out memories …
Send us your story or thoughts via email at webteam@yourweekly.com.au and we’ll publish them online.
