Look around the local pubs on grand final day and you can see that Ballarat had a lot riding on this year’s AFL premiership.
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For the Western Bulldogs, Saturday’s brilliant win over the Sydney Swans was a crucial and spectacular prelude for the club’s push to play home and away games in Ballarat from next year.
So too, is the Dogs’ 2016 premiership amazing for our city, with the premiership cup set to come to Ballarat on Monday following the 13.11 (89) to 10.7 (67) win.
There are plenty of story lines from this fairy tale season that strike a touching chord with the Ballarat faithful, not the least of which is our very own Jordan Roughead becoming yet another local to play in a flag winning team.
While most of the Dogs’ supporters were no doubt seated or standing at the hallowed MCG, or watching from Whitten Oval as their side chased the most improbable of flags, many still ventured to their local haunt for an afternoon brew.
As the game played out, it was clear that even the neutral onlookers had a vested interest in a Dogs win that extended beyond that of the standard Victorian team patriotism, with every bump, goal, free kick, mark handball and error booed and cheered in the knowledge that it was a final that will forever go down in history.
Regardless of the result on Saturday, win, lose or draw, it was always clear from the build up during the week that above all else – Ballarat is now and perhaps forever will be – a Bulldogs town.