THEY gathered in their thousands at Whitten Oval, some nursing sore heads, most still shaking theirs in disbelief.
The party to end all parties rolled on into Sunday as more than 20,000 fans packed out Whitten Oval to celebrate the Western Bulldogs' first premiership since 1954.
The Dogs faithful were still streaming into the venue an hour after gates had opened. Perhaps the most committed to celebrate with the players were the two men at the front of the line who had been waiting since 6.30pm last night.
Ecstatic fans made their way to Whitten Oval in their thousands. Picture: AFL Photos
Just the second flag in the club's history, Saturday's victory capped off what will be a week of revelry at Whitten Oval.
They celebrated in style, with Luke Dahlhaus taking up his customary role in leading the club song in front of a sea of red, white and blue.
As the crowd awaited their premiership heroes, Dogs legend Doug Hawkins took the stage, not to speak but just to revel in the glory of it all.
Wiping away tears, Hawkins took a selfie in front of the crowd, capturing a moment he thought may never come.
The weather turned it on for the Bulldogs supporters, although perhaps the sun and excitement was too much for some. Three people fainted before the players arrived, leading to a short delay in proceedings while they were attended to.
Tom Boyd has become larger than life after a great Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos
Club president Peter Gordon was introduced on stage just before noon and asked those in the crowd to care for each other. The Dogs haven't had to deal with so many people in their venue for a long time, which Gordon pointed out wasn't a bad thing.
"It's a problem of our own making, because we happened to win the premiership," he said.
Club president Peter Gordon shows the effects of a long night. Picture: AFL Photos
But nothing compared to the rapturous ovation when the triumphant Bulldogs finally emerged with the premiership trophy, some looking worse for wear but all still smiling.
Easton Wood and Bob Murphy hold the cup aloft for the Bulldog masses Picture: AFL Photos
Injured captain Robert Murphy might have received the largest roar, perhaps only superseded by that for coach Luke Beveridge.
A chant of 'Bevo' went around Whitten Oval for the club's second premiership coach.
But he did not accept any of the praise for himself. When it was suggested that Beveridge must have had Jedi powers to win a flag in his second season, he immediately deflected.
"The players are Jedis. The Force is with them, no doubt about that," Beveridge said.
Of the gesture to hand his premiership medallion to Murphy, the coach said his reasoning was simple.
"He (Murphy), more than any of us, deserved to be up on that dais," he said.
Beveridge (l) and Murphy embrace at the Bulldogs' family day. Picture: AFL Photos
Long-time supporter Frank Lococo, 37, was one particularly excited customer as he waited to be allowed into the ground. He even led the brass band, which was composed of the Hyde Street Youth Band and the Footscray-Yarraville City Band, through a rendition of 'Sons of the West'.
Born locally at the Western General Hospital, the man of Italian descent said the win meant so much to people from every generation, from his 82-year-old grandmother to the many kids waiting to catch a glimpse of their premiership heroes.
"It's an amazing feeling. Just amazing," he said.
"My nan was crying. She was crying when she saw the cup."
The overjoyed players take the stage on Sunday Picture: AFL Photos
Like so many, Lococo had watched on as the Dogs lost seven straight preliminary finals. He attended four of them himself, but all the anguish was worth the wait.
"We've never seen a cup here. This is an all-new generation. I saw the kids start crying. It's pretty emotional," he said.
