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Phillip Island is a club with a huge heart – but even the Bulldogs may have outdone themselves recently with one of the great stories of the 2021 season.
Senior coach Beau Vernon presented Jess Gizza with his senior debut in a recent practice match against Wonthaggi.
It is now Bulldog tradition that first-time senior players wear the number-31 jumper, in honour of Keith ‘Whale’ DeLooze, who wore the number with pride before his sudden passing in 2001.
Jess, who has Down syndrome, pulled on the jumper with an equal amount of pride as his uncle and had a huge impact on the match, booting two goals.
Keith ‘Whale’ DeLooze was the best friend of Jess’s dad Shane, who was on hand to present the number 31 jumper to his son.
Now that’s what community football is all about!
