Frank’s connection to the Bulldogs

Frank Ahern can clearly remember his days of coaching Western Bulldogs legend Bob Murphy in the Colts in the Warragul and District Football League competition.

But little did he know that that connection would give him a seat at the Bulldogs game against Brisbane Lions when a 37-year-old Bob played his 300th game.

Frank and his wife Joan were guests at the historic game on Saturday with Frank caution- ing those around him not to panic when the Bulldogs were down “they’ll come home with it in the final quarter.” And much to Frank’s delight they did. Frank coached Murphy in the Colts for three years before he went on to play with Warragul’s fourths. In his first year with the Colts he was runner up for best and fairest but followed it up with the top award for the next two years. The Colts also won the premiership in 1992. Murphy went on to play for Gippsland Power before he was drafted to the Bulldogs in 2000.

Frank said Murphy was always a talented player who could read the play well.

“When I coached him he was all over the place, very much the style of game he plays now,” he said.

Frank confesses he barracks for Collingwood, but Footscray was always his second team.

“It was great to see them win on Saturday, great for Robbie and such a great day,” Frank said.