There’s few games in Footscray/Western Bulldogs history that strike a chord with fans more than the final game at Whitten Oval back in 1997 against the West Coast Eagles.
It was wet, cold, windy and a sell out at the old ground that was set to close it’s doors as an AFL venue after 880 VFL/AFL games over 100-odd years.
Usually, ahead of a game of such historical significance, the commentators would share fond memories of days past, but this was no ordinary game, and the former Western Oval was no ordinary place.
Freedom in a Cage: Deep Dive: Last game at Whitten Oval
Former Hawthorn ruckman Don Scott, perched in the commentary box alongside Dennis Cometti set the tone early.
“This brings back memories, shocking memories of playing out here. It’s a typical Footscray day – the wind will be blowing down the ground, you’ve got the sort wings, the dressing rooms are small, they’re dirty, the showers are cold…
An ever-professional Cometti tries to reel the big man in, but to no avail.
“There’s nothing worse than coming to Footscray.”
Young Eagle, Michael Gardner, was probably thinking the same thing when he was set upon moments before the first bounce by Bulldogs backmen, Danny Southern and Steven Kretiuk.
According to Bob Murphy, speaking on this week’s special Whitten Oval-themed episode of Freedom in a Cage, said Dogs fans were up for a fight that day, and a fight they got
“I’ve spoken to various Bulldogs supporters over the years and it is one of those games - how many people were there – 27,000? – it would seem like it’s closer to 127,000, so many people you speak to were there, and they were all at that end of the ground, but they were bloodthirsty, he said.
“It was the perfect send off.”
You can see a fair mix of surprise and fear on Gardiner’s face as Southern and Kretiuk set upon young star, but that is only part of the story according to Murphy.
The then Bulldogs coach, Terry Wallace, had reportedly watched Gardiner play in Perth the week before and ordered the backline to rough him up, and upon arrival Southern delivers a line that has since become legendary.
“That was part of the mythology, that Plough had seen Michael Gardner the week before. He had a really keen eye on the next star coming through,” Murphy said.
“Danny Southern is the first one down and he says, so the legend goes, he says “welcome to the kennel. Which is a great line.”
And then it’s on, and even the commentary team seem a bit shocked by the premeditated freocity, as others, including Craig Ellis and Mathew Dent join the party.
“The thing from there is that Danny Southern then goes wild,” Murphy recounts, “but it’s Matthew Dent who was throwing the punches. and Jason Ball.
“Ball gets two weeks after the Bulldogs start this melee, this barroom brawl, and there’s a blood rule before the ball is even bounced.
“Even the commentators were like, ‘you don’t see that every day.’”
All this and the ball had not even been bounced yet.
The Dogs went on to win 18-points that day and Michael Gardiner? Five disposals.
What are you memories of that famous day? Send us an email by clicking here or use the hashtag #freedominacage and join the conversation.
