The Red, White and Blue was out in full force at Whitten Oval today with over 5,000 Members and Fans turning out for the Western Bulldogs Family Day.

To view photographs from the 2012 Western Bulldogs Family Day, click here.

In a special treat - Bulldogs No. 1 ticket holder and Prime Minister Julia Gillard made a guest appearance to the much loved annual Bulldog event to offer her support to the Boys for the year ahead.

Bulldogs Chief Executive Simon Garlick took the opportunity to present the PM with her new Bulldogs hoops guernsey, featuring GILLARD and the No. 1 on the back,  and to ask her the toughest of all questions, with Barry gone who was her favourite player for 2012?

Gillard announcing to cheers from the Bulldog faithful, that the Captain would take on the role as her new favourite player.

“Barry may still turn up as the future of my security detail - he has put his name up for the job and he might come in handy from time to time but standing on this stage I better go Boydy,” Gillard said.

As for Season 2012, Gillard is hoping the boys can build on last years’ performance.

“Better than 2011 is how we are going to shape up,” she said.

“I feel in 2012 we can certainly build on some of the great things we did in 2011, so I am definitely enthusiastic about my football this season and what we can achieve on the field as well as all the things we do together off the field.”

Senior Coach Brendan McCartney then introduced the full playing list to the crowd - with Gillard, local member Nicola Roxon, and a group of young bulldog supporters wishing the team the best for the season ahead.

On what was a fantastic, sunny day the crowd enjoyed a range of fun festivities including an energetic performance from acrobatic group Team Adrenaline, a Werribee Zoo Reptile Enclosure, live entertainment, a player autograph session and the AFL Playground.

But perhaps the highlight of the day, with the exception of the ever popular player autograph sessions was the arrival of former Bulldog Luke Darcy by the Channel 7 helicopter.

Thank you to all the Bulldog faithful who braved the heat - and we look forward to seeing you at the footy. Woof!

Were you at family day? Or just couldn’t make it? Either way we would love your feedback on Family Day 2012. To fill in our survey please,click here.