The woman who helped save the Western Bulldogs Irene Chatfield just wants an AFL premiership

IRENE Chatfield has lived through the darkest days at Whitten Oval and says a premiership for her beloved Bulldogs would be justice for a club that nearly merged in 1989.

WESTERN Bulldogs life member Irene Chatfield has lived through the darkest days at Whitten Oval, but she says light is at the end of the tunnel as her beloved Dogs shoot for the club’s first flag since 1954.

But, as a merger with Fitzroy loomed in 1989, Irene says fighting it out for an AFL premiership was the furthest thing from the minds of the battlers from Footscray.

She was at the forefront, “speaking from the heart” as the club, led by current president Peter Gordon and then-Bulldogs chief executive Dennis Galimberti took its fight against the merger all the way to the Supreme Court.

WHEN THE DOGS LAST WON A FLAG

“I went to court in ‘89 and had to give some answers to the judge,” Irene told the Herald Sun.

“Thankfully, I gave the right answers and now we’re here.

While the Doggies will be outsiders against the Swans, Irene says she’s not the least bit worried.

“I’ve been praying for this day for so long,” she said.

“I have no qualms about beating Sydney.”

The statue of Ted Whitten is a fixture at Whitten Oval — and so is Irene Chatfield.

She says the club’s decision to bring in former Bulldog champions on its coaching staff was the key to their success.

“Luke Beveridge, from the first day he came to this club, you knew there was a difference,” she said.

DOGS GET DOWN TO BUSINESS AS SWANS LOOM

“I love him to death. He was an ex-Bulldog,

“You look at the coaching, (assistant coaches Daniel) Giansiracusa, Rohan Smith, all ex-Bulldogs, wanting this club to go forward to the top.

“And we will be at the top.”

Irene Chatfield with her trademark Bulldogs scarf.

She never leaves home without her trademark Dogs scarf, covered in badges of her favourite players throughout the years.

THE MAN WHO BLEW THE WHISTLE ON THE FOOTSCRAY-FITZROY MERGER

Among the badges, her favourites include Brad Johnson, Matthew Croft, Steve Kretiuk and Nigel Kellett.

The scarf was made by a friend in 1978 and went down to her knees, but, as she’s added more badges, it started stretching and is now past her ankles.

A day after the grand final, it will be 27 years since she fronted court to save the Dogs.

A premiership would be the sweetest of anniversary celebrations.

KEY FOR BULLDOGS: USE IT OR LOSE IT