COME ON DOGGIES
Leopold’s top Dog — FOOTY FIX Grand final fever
FORMER coach Ian “Bluey” Hampshire has some simple grand final messages for his beloved old Footscray Bulldogs.
“Just play like you’ve played the past two weeks,” the former runner-up best and fairest said in Highton this week.
“Do whatever is necessary to win, and stand on the lefthand side of Buddy Franklin because that’s the only way he goes.”
Hampshire, 68, spoke with eyes alight as he reflected on the joyous journey the Doggies had provided for the faithful fans he knew so well.
“Even through the tough times they always believed in the club,” he said. “Fantastic loyal people.”
Ruckman Hampshire was the VFL’s first to play 100 games each with two clubs.
He had 113 on the board with Geelong before crossing to Footscray with mate Bill Goggin in 1976 and played 111 with the Bulldogs, graduating from player to coach after the sensational sacking of Royce Hart in 1982. The Big V rep- resentative, who is confined to a wheelchair after a major stroke on Christmas Day 2014, rated the Bulldogs’ elimination final win against West Coast as a particular show of strength and maturity.
His own finals campaign has included nostalgic visits from former Bulldogs teammates Peter Welsh, Brian Cordy and Terry Wheeler at his home at Highton’s Opal Aged Care.
“It was fantastic talking about some old times,” he said.
He rated Footscray faithful as “just the greatest people”.
Hampshire and wife Jan, parents of Raelee and James, passionately hope tomorrow’s grand final result amplifies a big weekend staying at Torquay’s RACV resort for their 40th wedding anniversary and Jan’s birthday.
James, who shed tears after the Bulldogs’ epic preliminary final victory, will be on hand to help get his dad around.
Hampshire clenched his good hand into an fist pump this week at the thought of a Bulldogs premiership. “It would be a perfect weekend, wouldn’t it?” he said. “I’d love to see it for all those people.”