Past player and life member Robert Groenewegen is about as passionate about the Bulldogs as you can get and his passion and enthusiasm for the club has just been reinforced with the purchase of a seat in the EJ Whitten Stand.
A Bulldog through and through his entire life, Groenewegen grew up in Sunshine and like Hawkins, played his junior football for Braybook before making his way to Whitten Oval in 1978.
Watch on the media player above Robert Groenewegen reminisce with BulldogsTV as he shares his favourite Whitten Oval memories.
Taking the field in 79 VFL matches, Groenewegen has many fond memories of the Kennel as both player and a supporter.
“I remember sitting on the fence in the rain, watching EJ’s 300th game at the Oval.
“I watched Kelvin Templeton kick 15 goals from the hill and I remember the guy who used to sell peanuts for 10 cents a bag up in the stand.”
“As a player, I have terrific memories of this place and the great people that I meet through the course of my footy career, it was a great home to have,” Groenewegen recalls.
Watching Groenewegen visit Whitten Oval recently to see his plaque in the EJ Whitten stand, it’s immediately apparent the passion he has for the place.
Wearing the number 14 during his career, Groenewegen chose a seat in the John Schultz wing of the stand and dedicated it to his family, and he urges others to get behind the campaign and do the same.
Like my family, Bulldogs fans are massively passionate, he says. “I encourage everyone to get on board and use your memories to inspire you to buy a seat and support the Club to get rid of the debt that’s holding us back.”
To purchase your seat, click here
After finishing his playing career at the end of 1987, Groenewegen moved to Tasmania and coached Glenorchy for a season. He is now the Manager of Inveresk and Aurora Stadium, Launceston.
