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The unluckiest Bulldog of all: ‘These boys can make history’

Roy Harper signing his contract with Footscray.

Roy Harper signing his contract with Footscray. Photo: Supplied

On September 25, 1954, Footscray won their one and only VFL/AFL grand final.

It should have been the happiest day of Roy Harper’s sporting life.

Just three years earlier, Footscray, convinced by the star forward’s three top-five finishes in the J.J. Liston Trophy – then awarded to the best player in the VFA – fought tooth-and-nail for Harper’s signature from Sandringham.

The Dogs got their man and he quickly became an essential part of their plans; just five Footscray players featured in more games than Harper through 1952 and 1953.

And by the end of that 1953 campaign, it was clear that in the 24-year-old Harper, Footscray had a player on their hands.

Just 11 goals were kicked in a semi-final against John Coleman’s Essendon but Harper, who starred, booted two, and he impressed in a preliminary final defeat against Geelong one week later.

Footscray, and Harper, were on the rise.

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Harper (R) battles for the ball in that final against Essendon. Photo: Supplied

Disaster struck in 1954, though, with a serious knee injury restricting Harper to just two games.

He eventually got fit, but it was too late, meaning he sat on the sidelines for a dramatic finals campaign that would end in the club’s one and only premiership.

“I only came good about three games before the end of the season,” he told The New Daily.

“I trained and trained very hard. But not playing through the year made a big difference.

“I was disappointed in myself. It would have been lovely to be in – but it was nice to see the boys come home winners.”

Harper was happy with Footscray’s triumph.

Even at 87, he enthusiastically recites captain-coach Charlie Sutton’s “unforgettable” half-time speech at the drop of a hat.

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The one and only annual report from Footscray with the word ‘premiers’ on it. Photo: Supplied

He fondly remembers what that grand final success meant to the people of Footscray, who, having entered the VFL in 1925, had not achieved the ultimate glory before that famous triumph against Melbourne.

But, naturally, it is impossible for him not to imagine what might have been.

It’s a position several of the Bulldogs’ current crop might find themselves in this weekend if they are to upset Sydney at the MCG on Saturday.

Captain Rob Murphy has been sidelined with a knee injury since Round 3, and there’s Mitch Wallis (broken leg), Jack Redpath (knee) and Marcus Adams (foot) too.

“I looked at them after the game on Saturday, when they won, [and] Bobby Murphy was crying,” Harper said.

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An emotional Murphy is consoled by a teammate. Photo: Getty

“I could feel for them because they weren’t going to be in it and if you’re not in it, it’s a big thing.

“You’ve fought hard for years and you all become mates and then all of a sudden, here they are, grand finalists and you know you’re not going to be part of that team that runs out on the ground.

“There’s not only Bobby Murphy, there’s three or four of them. I know how they feel.”

Harper – whose brother Bruce was a legendary full-forward for Sandringham – hoped his luck would turn in 1955, but he played just a further four games for Footscray, still impacted by injury.

“Doctors weren’t what they are these days,” he said.

Harper went back to Sandringham, before ending his career as player-coach at Glenhuntly.

Coaching stints at Brighton Grammar and with teams associated with Monash University followed, but there’s only ever been one footy love for Harper: his Bulldogs.

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Roy and his partner, Rosemary. Photo: Simon Rankin

He doesn’t attend games anymore, but avidly watches on TV and looks forward to each past players’ reunion.

And while we chat over a cup of tea, Harper flicks through the grand final record and starts analysing Sydney’s weak points.

“They [the Bulldogs] played magnificently [against Greater Western Sydney],” he said.

“We’ve got the best little men I have ever seen. They play so well and never give up.

“My player I like most of all is young [Liam] Picken … Caleb Daniel – he’s a goer and I feel he is as good as anyone. ‘Libba’ [Tom Liberatore] never stops.

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Picken celebrates a goal for the Bulldogs. Photo: Getty

“I’m 87 now. I’m getting a bit old and I’ll never see it again unless it happens in the next three or four years.

“It’ll give me a big thrill if I see them win on Saturday.

“And they can. These boys can make history.”

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