By Alana Mitchelson
PAKENHAM’S number one Western Bulldogs supporters were thrilled by their Grand Final victory this year; the club’s first AFL Premiership since 1954.
Since last week the Greeno family had proudly decked out the front of their Lakeside house with red, white and blue Bulldogs-themed decorations including flags, streamers and balloons, not to mention displaying Bulldogs flags on their cars – prompting frequent honks and ‘Go Doggies’ from approving passersby.
The Greenos watched the Grand Final game at the MCG from ground-level seats on the wing at a total cost of $6600 for their three tickets.
“During the first half we were so nervous,” Jodie Greeno said.
“I thought I was going to be sick, as it had been a massive week to the lead-up to the game and, being a Doggies supporter, you can never say you are going to win until the final siren sounds.
“So I was nervous all the way through until the last three minutes of the game when we knew we had it.
“There were tears flowing and then you start to feel numb and stare into space contemplating, ‘Is this true? Did we just win the Grand Final?’
“We live for the Bulldogs. It still hasn’t sunken in yet that we have now won the premiership.“
Jodie has followed the Western Bulldogs since she was a child.
Her mother, Ronda, is a ‘Doggies’ supporter, as were her grandparents.
“We all used to go to the games when they played AFL matches at the Whitten oval, standing up at the goal end in the rain and hail,” Jodie reminisced.
“Mum and I were also at the oval back in 1989 shaking tins to stop the merger of Footscray – as the club was known back then – with the Brisbane Bears, now the Brisbane Lions.
“Mum and I go to the footy every week. We have a silver reserved seat membership, we go to all home and away matches played in Melbourne and have been to two interstate games as well.
“Mum, Tom and I went to the preliminary final this year against GWS. We flew up there for the weekend and flew back to Melbourne on the Sunday, arrived at 1.45pm and went straight to Etihad Stadium to watch the Footscray VFL team play Casey in the VFL Grand final and they won.”
The Greeno family of die-hard Bulldog supporters would not be complete without their three-year-old pet Aussie bulldog Marlee.
Despite popular opinion, Jodie said the family simply loved the breed and that the family addition had not come with their footy team in mind.
“No-one believes us, but it’s true,” Jodie laughed.
“She does love wearing her footy jumper though.
“I’m back at work. Not sure how, as I still feel numb with what just happened. My staff were so excited. My desk has been decorated in footy colours and I had someone make red, white and blue macaroons. One guy’s even brought me a red, white and blue donut.
“What a journey this season has been. Let’s hope this means good times ahead for us and the Doggies. This is a season we’ll never forget.
“We’re looking forward to 2017 where in round one we will unveil the premiership flag. Wow.”
