Long before Merv Hughes became an Australian cricket legend – and long before he grew that iconic moustache – he grew up idolising Footscray greats Gary Dempsey, Kelvin Templeton and Laurie Sandilands. 

The diehard Western Bulldogs supporter loved Brownlow medallists Dempsey and Templeton, but he couldn’t get enough of Sandilands, who got the job done at either end of what was then known as Western Oval. 

Hughes grew up surrounded by Geelong supporters in Werribee and played football in winter and cricket in summer, like most kids in Victoria. 

While he ended up playing 53 tests and 33 one day internationals for Australia, plus more than a decade of first class cricket for Victoria, football was Hughes’ first love.

In fact, before Hughes was selected for the Bushrangers in the Sheffield Shield, he played for Werribee in the old VFA, where he attracted the attention of Geelong recruiters. 

Hughes grew up on the border of Geelong and Footscray’s zone on Tarneit Road in Werribee, falling on the Cats’ side of the road. He trained half a dozen times at Kardinia Park before earning his first chance at first class cricket. And he never looked back. 

By that time, the emerging fast bowler was playing district cricket for Footscray where he fostered a friendship with red, white and blue great Doug Hawkins, which has stood the test of time.

“When I went down to Footscray in 1978 for the cricket we crossed over with the end of the footy season. I got down there at about the same time as Dougie Hawkins and developed a friendship,” Hughes told westernbulldogs.com.au. 

“We used to train at the cage out the back at the Western Oval. Most of the get togethers were at Bulldog Rock which was the nightclub on the Thursday night. You’d go to cricket training and then most of the footballers would be in there. They were great times, especially as a passionate Bulldogs supporter.”

With that in mind, it’s not hard to see now why Hughes’ current crop of favourite players all look like players from that era. They are, of course, the sons of guns. Steve Wallis’ son, Mitch. Tony Liberatore’s son, Tom. And Mark Hunter’s son, Lachie.

“I love Lachie Hunter, Wallis and Libba; the guys whose dads played there. You look at that way they play and remember how their dad played and it is like turning back the page,” he said. 

“I reckon it is fantastic that the sons of the guns I loved watching play way back when are now playing for the club. It puts a bit of a smile on your face.” 

For a lifelong Footscray supporter, 2016 meant the world to Hughes. He had to wait 55 years just to see his Doggies reach the big dance. But it was worth the wait for the man who claimed 212 test wickets during his memorable cricket career. 

“It was such a fantastic year, and such an interesting year. I always thought we were going to be undersized. When it comes to finals it is all about physicality and presence and I thought we would be undersized,” he recalled.

“I had the family there on the day. They are all mad Bulldogs supporters, except my daughter who is Essendon; we thought about putting her up for adoption at one stage, but we kept a hold of her. I remember my oldest boy was very nervous on the day; we all were a bit. But it proved to be a really special day.”

Hughes always gets a membership for the whole family, without fail. Sometimes he leaves it to the last minute, but he always puts his money into the club, even though he has only been able to attend a couple of games each year due to the filming for his fishing show. 

This season will be different for obvious reasons, but that won’t stop Hughes riding every bump with Luke Beveridge, Marcus Bontempelli and his beloved Bulldogs.

“It’s going to be different this year, isn’t it? just not to have the option. When you’ve got the option, you want to be there live. The TV telecast is still pretty good. 

“I don’t think they’d like to hear this, but I think they are slow starters. We saw that last year; and we did that the year we won the flag. The longer the season goes the better we are. You’d like to think we are a chance this year if we can win all our home games.”