Former Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy has paid tribute to long time member Pat Hodgson, who passed away last Friday, in this week’s Freedom in a Cage podcast.

Hodgson was made famous by her role in Michael Cordell’s 1997 documentary Year of the Dogs, alongside her daughter Jenny, a look at the Dogs’ tumultuous 1996 season.

Murphy said he’d watched the film before he’d joined the Club and recognised the pair, an early introduction to the devoted pack that are Bulldogs fans.

“A great lady and a proud Bulldog, Pat.  She was the archetypal Bulldog supporter,” he said.

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“I talk about in footy, the 'July test'.  We used to talk about it as players because July is the toughest month and for rookies the novelty of being an AFL player has worn off, the beach recovery at Port Melbourne or Williamstown beach, it's arctic cold and the temptation to cut corners reveals itself in July.

“And if you're out of the finals you really know you're out but I've had this theory that it's kind of the same for everyone in football and you have to ask yourself, 'did I pass the July test'.”

Pat Hodgson passed the July test, over and over again ,and her presence was a constant and a privilege, according to the former captain.

“They were always there, and they were always filthy with whoever we were playing, and Pat was very vocal about that but she loved her boys.

“A lot of players talk about the simple joy it was to come off the track after the captain's run and just make your way over to the fence to put your arm around Pat and have a bit of a chat. 

“She probably saw it as a privilege but it was a much bigger deal for the players.”

265 game Bulldog and current assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa echoed Murphy’s thoughts on Twitter.

“Thoughts with Jenny and the family,” he posted.

“She was always there for a cuddle after training. Rain, hail or shine.  And would never let anyone say a bad word about her boys.”

Murphy and Freedom in a Cage co-host will take a closer look at the documentary in tribute to Pat, which can be found on YouTube, in next week’s episode. 

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So sad to hear of the passing of Pat Hodgson last Friday, surely one of the finest footy supporters to ever grace the game. I had the privilege of working with Pat and her daughter Jenny in 1996, when I made Year of the Dogs, the feature documentary on the Western Bulldogs. Die-hard supporters attend every game, but Pat and Jenny went one step further and attended every training session. In the depths of winter, in slicing wind and rain, they would sit next to the race at the Whitten Oval as dedicated as any player. “Good on you boys,” Pat would yell from beneath her brolly as the sodden team went through their drills, “good luck on Saturday. Go Dogs.” On game days Pat would deliver a priceless match commentary sparkling with wit and humour. She never swore or spewed mindless bile. “Chewy on your boot” was about as bitter as she got towards the opposition. If the Dogs lost she was disappointed, but rather than being critical of the players, she felt their pain. I made Year of the Dogs to understand the tribal loyalty for a struggling footy club that hadn’t won a premiership since 1954. Pat illustrated the essence of that passion. She identified with the triumphs and tragedies of every player, studied their strengths and foibles. She saw the club as family and its shifting fortunes echoed the struggles of her tribe. “It’s your suburb, your team, your boys playing for you”, she said. Footy clubs would be nothing without their supporters and for me Pat represented the very best. Her heart and soul was with the Dogs. She was the true star of that film. You can’t beat the girls of the Bulldogs breed. Vale Pat Hodgson. @western_bulldogs_insta @bobmurphy82 @wilarious #wilanderson @martin_flanagan

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