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Dogs keen to perform
Wednesday, 5 March 2003
I HAVE played football in front of 80,000 spectators at the MCG, represented Australia against Ireland in front of 75,000 spectators at Dublin's Croke Park.
Something which has me just as excited is playing in my own hometown of Bendigo against the Bombers at the QEO this Saturday.
It's the only time I get to play on the big stage in the city where I grew up _ Bendigo.
All AFL footballers would be excited to find out they are playing in their hometown and the chance to play in front of your family, your friends and in an environment you know so well. I have many fond memories of growing up in Bendigo _ long hot summers playing cricket, tennis and hanging out at the Aquatic Centre, but the one thing I remember the most is playing junior football for Catholic College and later Golden Square and the Bendigo Pioneers.
Driving home after footy on a Saturday morning and having your Mum and Dad proud of you and tell you how well you played was always one of the best feelings I had as a child.
I hope to once again make them proud this Saturday.
Growing up in Bendigo I found it easy to choose who my idols were _ Greg Williams and Wayne Cambell. Both of those players came from Bendigo and more importantly my club, Golden Square.
It gave me something to aim for in football.
I wanted to be just like them and I wanted to do what they did, so it gives me a great buzz nowadays to see little kids with number 17 on their backs, just as I had number 2 and 9 on my back when I was a youngster.
With only three weeks to go before the AFL season starts we will not be treating this game as a mere practice match before the real thing.
We are aiming to win every game to have a good lead in to the season.
Rohder (coach Peter Rohde) has us working on a more accountable style of game, but without taking away our natural flair.
For the Bulldogs to make the finals we need players such as Patrick Wiggins and Wade Skipper to step up as senior players. Both are big boys and could ease the pressure on Chris Grant and Luke Darcy.
Robert Murphy and Daniel Giansiricusa need to continue last year's form and take the next step to being stars. I look back on my days in Bendigo with great admiration for its people and the many friends I have made.
I look forward to running onto the mighty Queen Elizabeth Oval and kicking a few goals.
The Western Bulldogs will have membership packages for sale in Bendigo on Saturday. All 2003 Bulldogs' membership ticket holders will gain free entry to the match against the Bombers.
From the local bendigo rag
Wednesday, 5 March 2003
I HAVE played football in front of 80,000 spectators at the MCG, represented Australia against Ireland in front of 75,000 spectators at Dublin's Croke Park.
Something which has me just as excited is playing in my own hometown of Bendigo against the Bombers at the QEO this Saturday.
It's the only time I get to play on the big stage in the city where I grew up _ Bendigo.
All AFL footballers would be excited to find out they are playing in their hometown and the chance to play in front of your family, your friends and in an environment you know so well. I have many fond memories of growing up in Bendigo _ long hot summers playing cricket, tennis and hanging out at the Aquatic Centre, but the one thing I remember the most is playing junior football for Catholic College and later Golden Square and the Bendigo Pioneers.
Driving home after footy on a Saturday morning and having your Mum and Dad proud of you and tell you how well you played was always one of the best feelings I had as a child.
I hope to once again make them proud this Saturday.
Growing up in Bendigo I found it easy to choose who my idols were _ Greg Williams and Wayne Cambell. Both of those players came from Bendigo and more importantly my club, Golden Square.
It gave me something to aim for in football.
I wanted to be just like them and I wanted to do what they did, so it gives me a great buzz nowadays to see little kids with number 17 on their backs, just as I had number 2 and 9 on my back when I was a youngster.
With only three weeks to go before the AFL season starts we will not be treating this game as a mere practice match before the real thing.
We are aiming to win every game to have a good lead in to the season.
Rohder (coach Peter Rohde) has us working on a more accountable style of game, but without taking away our natural flair.
For the Bulldogs to make the finals we need players such as Patrick Wiggins and Wade Skipper to step up as senior players. Both are big boys and could ease the pressure on Chris Grant and Luke Darcy.
Robert Murphy and Daniel Giansiricusa need to continue last year's form and take the next step to being stars. I look back on my days in Bendigo with great admiration for its people and the many friends I have made.
I look forward to running onto the mighty Queen Elizabeth Oval and kicking a few goals.
The Western Bulldogs will have membership packages for sale in Bendigo on Saturday. All 2003 Bulldogs' membership ticket holders will gain free entry to the match against the Bombers.
From the local bendigo rag
