Easton Wood and Robert Murphy hoist the AFL Cup in front of thousands of Bulldogs fans at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
By Ewen McRae
It was a celebration 62 years in the making, and the sons and daughters of the west did not disappoint.
More than 20,000 fans descended on the Whitten Oval on Sunday to celebrate after the Bulldogs claimed their first VFL/AFL premiership since 1954 with a stirring 22-point win over Sydney.
While many were nursing sore heads after a night of revelry, nothing was going to stop the party as families from all over Melbourne sung and danced their way down Sutton Parade and into their spiritual home to welcome their premiership heroes to the stage.
Comedian and banner writer Danny McGinlay summed up the mood of the crowd from the main stage. “This is the most awesome day ever,” he said to raucous applause.
One by one the team were presented to the throng, the biggest cheers reserved for spiritual leader Bob Murphy, who missed the game through injury, and coach Luke Beveridge, who had delivered the Dogs to the promised land in just his second season at the helm.
Beveridge heaped praise on his side when it was suggested he must have Jedi powers. “The players are Jedis, the Force is with them,” he insisted.
The celebrations continued throughout Sunday and into another evening, fans getting used to their time atop the AFL.
Bulldogs fans turn out in huge numbers at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.Easton Wood and Robert Murphy of the Bulldogs hold up the premiership cup at Whitten Oval for the family day celebrations on October 2, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Fairfax MediaBulldogs fans crowd the oval at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.Easton Wood and Robert Murphy hoist the AFL Cup in front of thousands of Bulldogs fans at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Ken Nash kept his face paint from the grand final on at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
A Bulldogs mascot is hugged by a fan at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs president Peter Gordon at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
A bulldog wears his favourite colours at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
A Bulldogs player holds the AFL cup at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Ethan age 7 and Joel age 5 at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Robert Murphy and Easton Wood life the cup at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
TV personality Billy Brownless is greeted by a Bulldogs fan at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs players show off the AFL Cup to the fans at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Ronda and Jodie Greeno at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Easton Wood and Robert Murphy hoist the AFL Cup in front of thousands of Bulldogs fans at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans turn out in huge numbers at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Marcus Bontempelli at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans crowd the oval at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Former Bulldogs player Doug Hawkins at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Eleanor Currie and Morgan Foster at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Marcus Bontempelli at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
French bulldog Louis gets in on the action at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Thousands of Bulldogs fans at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans cheer at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans cheer as the team is presented on stage at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans crowd the oval at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
A father and son sing the team song at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans crowd the oval at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Former Bulldogs player Doug Hawkins at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans crowd the oval at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
A Bulldogs fan takes a rest at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Oscar age 11 sports a red, white and blue mowhawk at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
A bulldogs fan wears a flag at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
EJ Whitten stand proud at the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
Bulldogs fans line up on the streets before the Western Bulldogs family day at Whitten Oval. Photo by Luke Hemer.
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