IN THE DOGHOUSE: Kevin Hillier

■ What a great win to the Bulldogs in the VFL grand final at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. It certainly vindicates the club’s decision to stand alone and has certainly given the Bulldogs a high note to finish the season. Time will tell what effect this success has on the playing group, but I remember the Geelong VFL premiership side of 2002 which included Hunt, Kelly, Bartel, Johnson, Ablett and Chapman that became the backbone of three AFL premierships. Bulldogs’ coach Chris Maple is a great bloke and I’m happy to see him be successful. Juggling full-time players with part-time players is a difficult job. What was really good at the weekend was to see the red, white and blue supporters out in force.

■ AFL grand final week in Melbourne is always buzzing and full of activities. Williamstown CYMS is holding its second annual Grand Final Eve Spectacular on Friday and the speakers are top shelf. Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan heads the bill with Mark Harvey and Australia’s best female cricketer, Meg Lanning. Lanning has an interesting year ahead as she has signed to be part of the Channel 9 commentary team for the coming summer. The Spectacular will be held on the oval at Fearon Reserve Williamstown from noon. Last-minute bookings can be made by calling Matt Wynd on 0410 636 057. I’m the MC and am looking forward to getting the real story behind Mark Harvey’s time in Fremantle.

■ Hoppers Crossing Sports Club is holding its annual Paul Hollingsworth Memorial Golf Day at Werribee Park Golf Club on Friday, October 3. This is the ninth year of the event and all proceeds go to Reclink Australia. There are heaps of prizes and it is always a good day. Cost is $65 per player which includes green fees, lunch, a showbag and after-game nibbles. For bookings, call Darren Hellmann, 0413 607 645.

■ Get ready for the Moonee Valley Melee as former world boxing champion Barry Michael presents a big fight night at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday, October 11. The main bout is between Zac Dunn and Istvan Zeller. Michael is very excited about Dunn, whose professional record is 14 fights for 14 wins, 12 by knockout. Dunn and Zeller are fighting for the WBC Eurasian Super middleweight title. Doors open at 6.15pm, first fight at 7pm. Call Sue on 0410 506 435.

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