The Mighty West

In 2016 the Western Bulldogs stunned the AFL world by winning the Premiership – the club’s first since 1954, and only its second ever. It was an unprecedented rise to success, capped by a stunning Grand Final victory that left players and fans alike shedding tears of joy. Kerrie Soraghan – blogging as the Bulldog Tragician – captured all the passion and drama of the remarkable win.

At the end of the 2014 season the club had been in chaos: the captain had walked out, and the board had given the coach his marching orders. Led by a new captain and coach, Robert Murphy and Luke Beveridge, and boasting a team of talented youngsters, the club came together in spectacular fashion, overcoming serious injuries and storming to the Premiership from seventh on the ladder.

The Bulldogs’ best asset has always been their diehard supporters, and none is more passionate than the Bulldog Tragician. The Mighty West chronicles the experience of the team and of the fans – a tale of family and belonging, western suburbs tribalism, and the romance of sport.

About the Author

Kerrie Soraghan is a lifelong supporter of Footscray/Western Bulldogs. She is the author of Too Tough to Die, which documented the 1989 fundraising effort to save the Doggies from extinction, and she blogs as the Bulldog Tragician.