CHELSEA McKay and Tom Ryan from Kevin Hicks Real Estate are mad about the Dogs.
Footy is often a family affair, passed down from relatives. This is true for Chelsea, whose parents grew up around Footscray and for Tom, whose cousin is the legendary Bulldogs player, Bob Murphy.
Being a Mad Dog supporter may mean being the underdog and defending your team, but Chelsea thinks Melbourne is a good match for the Doggies. If they come out on top, she won’t let her Geelong-supporting husband, or anyone else, forget it.
“He says I’m a bad winner but it’s a big moment when we get in.”
Tom likes that the Bulldogs play a fast-paced game, that they play to their strengths, and that they show inventiveness on the field. Many would remember Tom Boyd’s iconic goal into the centre square during the 2016 AFL Grand Final; a top moment for Tom and a display many supporters hope to see again.
On local boy, Laitham Vandermeer’s performance leading up to the Grand Final, Tom said, “Laitham came back good after injury. He smashed it last year and returned strong.” Tom remembers playing against Laitham when he played for the Shepparton Bears.
Bill Dowling, president of the Mooroopna Football and Netball Club, said that “Both Laitham and Clayton are former Mooroopna juniors who both went on to play senior football with the Cats. Clayton played in our U16s premiership team in 2013 while Laitham will be aiming for his first flag. We obviously wish both boys well and look forward to reliving their story with them when they return to Mooroopna in the off season.”
Alex Keath, also playing for the Bulldogs, is a former player for the Shepparton Bears.
