TWO Doggies’ fans will be part of the action at Sunday’s Western Bulldogs versus Sydney Swans AFL clash at Etihad Stadium.
Long-term Western Health patient, Altona’s Clive Pattie will toss the coin before the opening bounce, while seven-year-old Declan Ford will run out with the players in front of his terminally ill grandfather, who will be at the game.
The junior mascot’s name was drawn from more than 80 entries in a competition by Western Health Foundation, which is hosting the round 21 match.
Mr Pattie was rushed to Western Hospital’s intensive care unit in late 2008 suffering a cardiac arrest, before having a stroke that put him in a coma.
“I’m still coming down from outer space,” he said.
“I am so glad it’s the Bulldogs versus the Swans as, apart from being a Bulldogs supporter, I have a connection with both clubs.
“My great uncle George Farnsworth, who was mayor of Footscray, was also president of the Footscray Football Club in 1924 when they transitioned from what was the VFA to the VFL. My connection to the Swans is my second cousin Jim Taylor, who played in the 1950s and was Sydney’s number one ruckman at the time.”
