“CLOSED...due to a 62-year wait for a premiership” was the sign in Wendy Martell’s shop window this weekend.
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Shutting up shop was worth the reward for Ms Martell, who experienced one of the best days of her life at the MCG on Saturday.
Ms Martell was eight years old when she became a Bulldogs’ supporter, inspired by Murray club Tyntynder where her three older brothers played. She was old enough to remember the 1954 Footscray premiership but, living in Wentworth near Swan Hill, was too far away to watch the game, which pre-dated television in Australia.
Unable to get anyone to work on Saturday, Ms Martell’s “best boss ever” let her shut the Statewide Sewing Centre.
There was no way Ms Martell was going to miss this one. Her granddaughters booked her tickets to the game.
“When the siren went, I cried. Men two rows in front of me had wet eyes,” Ms Martell said. "I didn’t go to bed until about 3.30am. I couldn’t go to bed after a day like that. I didn’t want it to end.
“On the walk back from the MCG to Spencer Street, someone asked us are we happy. Absolutely we are happy.”
Ms Martell said there was a great feeling the whole city was behind the Bulldogs. Almost everyone she went really wanted the Bulldogs to win and even Sydney supporters wished her luck. She had never felt a city so united behind the one club.
The tone was set at the top, Ms Martell said, under a caring coach Luke Beveridge, who made everyone feel a little Bulldogs’ spirit.
“Everyone is on the bandwagon, just wanting to get them the premiership,” Ms Martell said.
Back in Ballarat, her sign on the Statewide Sewing Centre windows created attention and a few good-natured laughs. But she assured the store would be back open on Monday, with an extra big smile on her face.
Meanwhile, Buninyong eatery Pig & Goose was decked out in red, white and blue streamers for a festive Sunday brunch rush.
Pig & Goose owner Wendy Kirby, a huge Bulldogs’ fan, proudly has colours in windows and out on the deck welcoming patrons.
Ballarat Town Hall also remains emblazoned with the Western Bulldogs’ club emblem, leading into a community celebration with the team and AFL premiership cup on Monday afternoon.