Go behind the scenes at the Western Bulldogs’ AFL Grand Final media day
GET a behind the scenes media-only look as the Western Bulldogs prepare for their biggest day in 55 years by opening up the inner sanctum at Whitten Oval.
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THE Western Bulldogs have prepared for their biggest day in 55 years by opening up the inner sanctum at Whitten Oval to media.
Just about every Melbourne media outlet headed west as all 22 players — save for the injured Jordan Roughead — showed up for the media turn.
And the Herald Sun gave readers an all-access pass, live streaming from the changerooms, deep within the kennel.
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Star midfielder Marcus Bontempelli was a popular get for the footy scribes, while man of the moment Clay Smith gave time to anyone who wanted a piece of him — there were plenty — even if he didn’t look entirely comfortable with his new found fame.
In the race, Jake Stringer spoke to a reporter about how the Dogs had pulled the community together. He just seemed like a ripping bloke.
Diminutive Rising Star runner-up Caleb Daniel was a popular get for media, backed into a corner of the changerooms and hardly having a moment to scratch himself.
Towering big man Matthew Boyd — fresh off going toe-to-toe with Shane Mumford against GWS — handled the turn with aplomb, answering every question fired at him, while softly spoken speedster Jason Johannisen spoke of his upbringing in South Africa.
Their were Doggies in every nook and cranny of the place as print, television, radio and online writers scrambled to get the best lines from the day.
All the stars from the Giants win were there and the media lapped it up.
And so did Herald Sun Sport watchers on Facebook live, nominating their favourite players they wanted to catch a glimpse of.
AFL PLAYERS COULD AGREE TO NFL AND NBA-STYLE MEDIA ACCESS
While it’s not the first time a club has opened its doors on the eve of the Grand Final, the media turn was like something you would see at an NBA or NFL game in the US, with reporters and camera crews given free reign to nab a quote or two from the Dogs stars.
It might be a glimpse of the future, with players and clubs becoming increasingly open to providing media access and even considering it in discussions over their next pay deal.
There was a buzz about Whitten Oval, with fans cleaning out the Bulldogs’ shop and waiting to get a glimpse of their favourite stars.
Stringer, Smith and Daniel spent plenty of time in the foyer signing autographs and taking photographs with the supporters, ahead of the biggest day of their lives.
Originally published as Go behind the scenes at the Western Bulldogs’ AFL Grand Final media day
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