ADOPTING a cat can be difficult. First there’s the eerie awkwardness as it prowls around its new lair, judging and leaving scent at every juncture.
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Neighbouring alley cats initially disown it, but begin to realise benefits could flow from a relationship.
Rehoming dogs can be similarly problematic in the early stages, and so it proved at Eureka Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Before the bounce of a pre-season game between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, a pensive crowd dominated by Dogs jerseys, waited in anticipation.
What show would Ballarat’s newly-adopted team put on for its regional fans? Would we like them? Would they like us?
Would the Dogs’ loyal legions in Western Melbourne like their part-time home?
“It’s going to take time,” admitted avid Dog Ryan Keem, of Ballarat.
Ryan, his brother Justin Skewes and mate Luke How, were seemingly rare local Western Bulldogs fans amid the swathe of red, blue and white at the Creswick Road end of the stadium. All three, delighted their heroes were in town, suggested a consistent diet of AFL football in Ballarat would grow the local fan base for the Dogs.
“It’s a bit dusty,” quipped Western Bulldogs cheer squad member Tracey Wilborg, of Melbourne. Ms Wilborg, who travels across the country to see her beloved Dogs, said she would revisit Ballarat if AFL was played here, but in the same breath suggested she would follow them anywhere.
Melbourne-based Western Bulldogs fans at Saturday’s game had a begrudging acceptance of their new regional home.
“I suppose it helps our fan base grow,” one said.
“It makes sense, given the Dogs are in west Melbourne and Ballarat is a bit further west,” another added.
Others had metrocentric spectator gripes.
“You need more stands.”
“Or some more seats around the (southern side of) the oval.”
The attendance of just over 5000 – down from almost 8000 last year when North Melbourne hosted Carlton in the NAB cup – was perhaps indicative of the tentative relationship the town is developing with its new club.
Many of those 5109 were neutrals and a sizeable chunk comprised of battle-wearied Melbourne fans.
Dees cheer squad organiser Suzanne Considine said she, and the 100-strong squad, loved the country feel at Eureka Stadium, but again would not have minded a few more seats around the perimeter.
During a pre-season match you would expect both teams to be tentatively feeling each other out, but on Saturday there was a sense, especially in the early stages, of a town and a team doing the same thing.