Catman pulls on platforms
YOU cannot keep a good Catman down — especially when Geelong is in the grand final.
While the Cats battle it out against Richmond on Saturday, Geelong superman Troy West — better known as Catman in footy circles — will be marking the occasion with his cheer squad mates outside Kardinia Park.
Before the pandemic, the 54-year-old fanatic, who is the son of late Geelong legend Roy West, never missed a Cats games.
Although he will not be able to support his beloved team at the Gabba for the grand final, Mr West has vowed to continue his Catman match-day tradition.
“We’ve decided we’re going to go to where we feel is the heartbeat of Geelong, which is Kardinia Park,” he said.
“We’re going to have a bit of a vigil — we’re all going to dress up, make banners and pretend we’re going into the ground. We’ll have a bit of pre-game entertainment among ourselves.
“We’re all devastated that we won’t be able to be there, but we’re still in the final and that’s the important thing.”
The diehard fan travelled south from Bendigo, where he runs a B&B, to his home town to celebrate grand final day.
Mr West will spend three hours transforming himself into his famous persona for the big game — a tradition he started 28 years ago.
“I was in an op shop in 1989 and I bought a pair of platforms in black and red but I chucked them in the cupboard and never wore them,” he said.
“I painted them blue and white for the 1992 grand final.
“Then I started dressing up for all the grand finals, finals and it gradually morphed into what you see today.
“I’m a make-up artist by trade, so I use professional make-up to make sure it doesn’t run or smudge if I hug someone or if I’m moving around when I watch the footy.”
After what has been a tough year for Victorian footy fans unable to see the 2020 final in the MCG, Mr West thinks it would be the cat’s pyjamas if Geelong won the premiership.
“There’s such negativity coming from every angle with COVID, this year the footy means more than ever before,” he said.
“To win it would just be such a relief, it would take a big sting out of the year.”
WE’VE DECIDED WE’RE GOING TO GO TO WHERE WE FEEL IS THE HEARTBEAT OF GEELONG, WHICH IS KARDINIA PARK.” TROY WEST, RIGHT