Footscray champion Doug Hawkins has thrown his support around the Western Bulldogs move into Ballarat on the eve of the club’s first grand final in 55 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hawkins, who played 329 games for the Bulldogs, was joined by fellow club legend Tony Liberatore and Hawthorn four-time premiership player John Platten at the North Ballarat Roosters function at Eureka Stadium.
The Western Bulldogs are set to play one AFL home and away match at the revamped Stadium in the second half of the 2017 season.
Hawkins, who coached Bacchus Marsh in the Ballarat Football League, said it was a great initiative to bring the game to Ballarat and spoke volumes of the facilities – describing Eureka Stadium as “magnificent”.
“I think it’s great coming up to Ballarat to play in a regional stadium and all the Ballarat people can come along,” Hawkins said.
“The ground’s outstanding. I coached Bacchus Marsh in the under-18’s and we played North Ballarat and that ground is terrific, it’s as good as anything you would want to play on.
“In my time, it beats anything I ever played on.”
Ballarat has been swept up in grand final fever as it’s adopted-Bulldogs fairy tale run to the grand final draws closer. Hawkins felt the supporter base was growing and believed it had the potential to be a success.
“North Melbourne were here for a while and I reckon the Dogs have taken over. There is a supporter base there’s no doubt about that. We’re going to build on it.”
While much has been made of the club’s history starved of success - with the club setting out to win its first premiership since 1954.
Hawkins said this was a new team and a team looking to create its own history.
“It’s their time. 54’, 61’, that’s great history of our club, but that’s got to be put aside – this is the new history now.
“The whole thing about the footy club is you see this love and passion for each other. I haven’t seen that in my time as a player or watching the last 22 years.”
Hawkins said the lead-up to the biggest day on the AFL calendar had been amazing and while the whirlwind build-up that is grand final week he felt the Dogs were ready to perform on the MCG’s grand final stage.
“It’s been a monster week. It’s just been amazing, it really has. It’s been a roller coaster ride.
“They beat the Eagles, they beat the Hawks, beat the Giants, you know what that means – they belong, they’ll go to the big dance on Saturday knowing they belong.”
