AFL Grand Final: Ted Whitten Jnr says his dad would be proud of Western Bulldogs team

THE son of Bulldogs legend Ted Whitten reckons his dad would be as proud of the red, white and blue blokes in Saturday’s Grand Final as any Footscray team he played for.

PETER ROLFE and MARK DUNN

3 min read

September 29, 2016 - 9:00PM

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THE son of Bulldogs legend Ted Whitten reckons his dad would be as proud of the red, white and blue blokes who run on to the MCG tomorrow as any Footscray team he played for.

Whitten Sr was captain-coach when the Bulldogs last played in a Grand Final in 1961 and won best-and-fairest five times, including that year and in their sole 1954 premiership season.

As Victorians climb aboard the Bulldogs’ bandwagon, Ted Whitten Jr said the current crop of players embodied the same fighting qualities that defined Footscray in their glory years with his dad.

Ted Whitten Jnr with a photo of his dad Ted Whitten ahead of the Grand Final. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I’m sure he would be proud of the club and the terrific way the team is playing,’’ he said. “He’d be really pleased and proud as punch.

“We haven’t made a Grand Final since he was captain-coach and we’ve been knocked out of seven preliminary finals, so it’s great to be back playing for a premiership.’’

Whitten Jr played 144 matches for the Bulldogs and represented Victoria in the Big V jumper his dad held so dearly.

In flashes of sporting goodwill, Bulldogs fans have this week been stopped in the streets by strangers wanting to wish them well and proclaim they too will be Dogs for a day.

Ted Whitten Jnr ahead of the Grand Final. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ted Whitten and Wally Donald with Footscray’s 1954 premiership cup in 1990.

Footscray legend Ted Whitten in 1964. Picture: HWT archival negative

Whitten Jr said it was “just amazing’’ how Bulldogs fever had gripped the nation.

“The Bulldogs have got everyone on board,’’ he said. “Everyone is enjoying the fairytale, the style of football is exciting and we’ve been starved for success, so it’s been great for the supporters and it’s great for the club.’’

Sydney will start favourite in its third Grand Final in five years, but Whitten Jr said “people are just willing’’ the Bulldogs on. “Who knows what they can do on Saturday with the support of half of the country?’’ he said.

“They can do it — my word they can.’’

Footscray greats Doug Reynolds, Ron Stockman and Angus Abbey remember their 1954 Grand Final triumph like it was yesterday.

1954 Bulldogs premiership players Angus Abbey, Doug Reynolds and Ron Stockman, with grandson Shaun, during the Western Bulldogs training session at Whitten Oval. Picture: Hamish Blair

The men all lived within 2km of Western Oval, part of code rules of playing for the club where you lived, and got match payments the equivalent of $10 a game.

Although the club has endured the longest flag drought in football, the trio believes today’s Doggies can prevail tomorrow. “It’s unbelievable, it really is,” Reynolds said of the 2016 team.

The mates said memories of their flag win 62 years ago, complete with crowds flowing on to the playing surface as stands were being built for the 1956 Olympics, were indelible. “But it’s about time they had another win,” Stockman added.

A 1962-64 Footscray footballer, Rod Coutts, said he and several past players had missed out on Grand Final tickets. “It’s very disappointing,” he said.

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PARAMEDIC DUO HOPE DOGGIES DON’T MISS A BEAT IN GRAND FINAL

MICA paramedic couple Cara Alphey and Graeme Pollard are no strangers to heart-stopping action.

But the Doggies-loving duo, who even have their own bulldog named Hercules, hope they don’t miss a beat in the AFL Grand Final.

Ms Alphey’s links to the Bulldogs goes back generations and she has wrangled her partner, whom she met through work, into backing her side.

She will cheer them on at the MCG.

“It’s the culmination of a lot of years of being a dedicated but long suffering Bulldogs supporter,’’ she said.

“It’s definitely exciting.

“I hope they can get up.”

Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance paramedics Cara Alphey and Graeme Pollard with their bulldog Hercules. Picture: Ian Currie

Extra paramedics have been rostered statewide with alcohol abuse expected to be a huge driver of call outs.

Last year a drunk fractured a rib falling on a garden gnome, a man sliced his foot accidentally sliding down a light pole, a man dislocated his knee slipping on wet decking while going to relieve himself behind a shed and a woman who consumed six drinks fainted while too close to a barbecue.

”Our message is simple: don’t be a drop kick this Grand Final weekend,’’ MICA group manager Michelle Murphy said.

“Hopefully you celebrate responsibly and don’t need us.”

— Wes Hosking

peter.rolfe@news.com.au