Rodc

Just thought that during the lockdown I might start a new topic.  

What is your favourite Footscray game you have attended?

My number 1 is a game I have commented on here before,  Footscray v Carlton at Princes Park in Round 22, 1976.  Footscray had to win to make the five.  If they lost and Melbourne beat Collingwood at Victoria Park, Melbourne would take Footscray's place.  1976 was the first year that Collingwood "won" the Wooden Spoon and Melbourne kept their end of the bargain and won.

It was a beautiful sunny day at Princes Park and the Dogs seemed to be in control most of the day.  It was the only time I have attended a VFL/AFL game on my own which was a different experience.  I stood under the old press box on the northern wing.  The game came down to a pulsating finish with plenty of drama near the end.  Footscray "hung on" despite Carlton coming home strongly with the home crowd behind them.  The game ended in a draw which was enough for Footscray to make the Five. Poor old Melbourne had to wait another eleven years before they made the finals - the year Jim Stynes ran across the mark in the Preliminary Final.  

Another game I recall was at Moorabbin in late 1992 against StKilda in the mud.  After a tough slog all day Footscray got home by a couple of goals in the last 10 minutes.  StKilda were favourites on their own ground after playing finals for the first time the year before since 1973.  As it turned out the Dogs and the Saints would meet again that year in the finals at Waverley with Footscray winning easily.

Wonder who else has some favourites.  Would love to hear from anyone who attended the 1997 Preliminary Final and had a good view of Tony Liberatore's shot for goal in the last quarter that was adjudged a point.

Not sure if anyone has ever tried purchasing footage from the National Film and Sound Archive.  I was having a browse on their site recently.  Although it was not a Footscray game I noticed that they have listed the full last quarter of a 1966 Round 8 match between Hawthorn and Fitzroy at the old Brunswick Street oval.  I found this interesting because in 1966 both clubs finished very low on the ladder and it was the last year Fitzroy played at the Brunswick Street oval.  I don't think I have seen a broadcast of a match played at the Brunswick Street ground.

I know Caveman has put up the last ten minutes of the StKilda/Footscray match at Moorabbin from the same year.  It gives hope that there still might be some gems out there.  Anyone dealt with the NFSA and know about availability and prices etc.

Shoutout to Caveman, too.  Keep up the good work mate.