Ask rusted on Bulldogs supporter Denis Liddy how long he has waited for a Bulldogs grand final and the answer is “too bloody long”.
Denis, 78, is seriously ill in Footscray Hospital but if he has one wish it is that he will see a Bulldogs premiership.
“I couldn’t believe it, it was an unreal game,” he said of the heart stopper that cemented their spot in the AFL grand final.
In his excitement, daughter Robyn, said Denis – wearing a beanie and scarf –took off his oxygen mask, jumped out of bed and walked down to the hallway to celebrate with the patient next door.
Having stuck with the club through its ups and downs, he is holding out to see his beloved boys take out the flag for the first time in 55 years.
Bulldog pride runs deep in the Liddy family who will join Denis at his hospital bedside on Saturday to watch the game on TV.
A Bulldogs win will, of course, be extra sweet for Denis. He not only watched the last grand final but also played in the Bulldogs Under 18s as a young man.
Born in Maidstone, he had no other choice than to support the Bulldogs – it was almost compulsory.
“I have waited many years to see them win a grand final,” he said.
A surprise visit from young Bulldogs Roarke Smith, Lukas Webb and Bailey Williams at Footscray Hospital this week lifted Denis’s spirits.
Fans of all teams are getting behind the Western Bulldog’s fairytale Grand Final bid.
In a massive show of support for the Western Bulldogs, Western Health has turned red, white and blue with Footscray and Sunshine Hospitals decorated in a proud show of support.
Western Health is extremely proud of our partnership with the Western Bulldogs and we wish them luck for the huge week ahead.
Be more Bulldog – show your support
You can turn red, white and blue this week. Support the Bulldogs on social media with the hashtags #BeMoreBulldog and #BeMoreFinals.
Join in the celebrations at Whitten Oval and the MCG:
Open training session – Thursday 29 September, 10am
AFL Grand Final live site at VU Whitten Oval – Saturday 1 October, 1–6.30pm
Virgin Australia Premiership Party, Saturday 1 October, 6–8pm
Post Grand Final Family Day, Sunday 2 October, 8am–2pm
