Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson says while Mission Whitten Oval’s exterior may look quite different, there’s a lot that hasn’t changed internally.
Reflecting on both his supporting and playing days at the Kennel, Johnson said the one thing in particular that remains the same is how the older players look after the youth.
“I think one thing, as a playing group, that has always been true is that the older or more experienced players give so much back to the youth coming through,” Johnson said.
“That’s the future of the footy club. It’s the future potential premiership players that have just walked through the door. We get that, and we always have.
“It’s something that was instilled in me with the older players certainly trying to fast-track me as a young player walking through the doors.
“I know for a fact that it hasn’t changed here to this very day. The senior players give everything to the youngsters, to give them the best opportunity to have a great career at this club.”
Johnson played 364 games in the red, white and blue – a Club record that still stands to this day.
Like many who have left lasting legacies at the Bulldogs, he has countless memories of his time at the Kennel.
“I grew up coming to games here most weekends when I was a kid, so I experienced it all in terms of the wind, the weather, the passionate fans that go with it,” he recalled.
“We used to stand up near the windsock. It was just a great place to come and watch footy. This is where I fell in love with the game.
“In all honesty, I still remember the first time I ran out in a senior match here. We played Collingwood and it was a big day because Tony Shaw (for the Pies) was breaking their Club record at the time.
“You can imagine this place; it was absolutely packed to the rafters with over 35,000 fans I think – that’s the ones that didn’t sneak in at least.
“It was something I will never ever forget. We had a massive win as well, and the crowd ran on the ground at the end of the game. It was just one of those moments that was my first game yes, but it just fuelled me to want to play senior footy every single week.
“Ultimately, that was the type of thing you craved every week; to try and make the Bulldog faithful walk out with a smile on their face at the end of a hard-earned four quarters.”
This Saturday afternoon, the Bulldogs will host the Bombers in a pre-season match simulation in front of a capacity crowd at Mission Whitten Oval.
The hit-out will mark the first major event in the season-long celebration of Footscray Football Club’s entry into the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1925.
Essendon played a significant role in Footscray’s entry to the league, with the teams facing off in the ‘Championship of Victoria’ game in 1924, Footscray as VFA champions and Essendon as VFL champions. Footscray’s emphatic win helped ensure that the red, white and blue gained admission to the VFL the following season.
