Anticipation builds around Western Bulldogs’ return to Ballarat

Ballarat is ready to roll out the welcome mat once again as the Western Bulldogs return to town this weekend to host the Adelaide Crows.

For the second year in a row the Ballarat clash will take place during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the AFL’s two-week celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and its contribution to football.

The occasion will also feature a Welcome to Country before the match and other Indigenous celebrations to mark the event.

The Saturday afternoon fixture will be the first of two Ballarat games in the 2023 season, with the Bulldogs returning in round 20 to host GWS Giants.

In addition to the match itself, the club will continue to show its commitment to the City by holding a ‘Bulldogs Heroes at Hop’ past players night on Friday 19 April. Join former Bulldogs players Easton Wood, Clay Smith and Josh Carter (Hill) for a special fan night at Hop Temple. The event is free, but bookings are essential via the Western Bulldogs website.

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson lauded the Bulldogs for their continued support of Ballarat and their positive impact on the city.

The existing partnership with the Western Bulldogs brings extraordinary benefits to Ballarat, including two AFL matches, at least one AFLW match, the Sons and Daughters of the West Health Programs, Youth Leadership Program, Bulldogs Read Program, and the Nallei Jerring Koori Youth Leadership Program.

“We continue to be so proud of the Western Bulldogs and we encourage the entire city to get behind them, even if you do already have a favourite team,” Cr Hudson said.

“It’s amazing to have them playing in our city and given their recent form, it will be a game you do not want to miss.”

GETTING TO THE GAME

For those heading to the match, a free shuttle bus service will return, with hundreds of parking spaces also available at C.E Brown Reserve and surrounding ovals.  

These parking spaces can be accessed from Dowling Street, giving patrons access to the Mars Stadium gates via a short walk.  

Additional on-street parking will be available for drivers in Howitt and Norman Streets, as well as Creswick Road (north of Norman Street).  

Drivers are reminded there is accessible parking at the North Ballarat Sports Club, however all other traffic will be directed to park at one of the other designated parking areas.  

A drop-off and pick-up zone will also be set up directly outside Gate 2 on Creswick Road.  

A shuttle bus will depart Ballarat Railway Station Bus Terminal and travel to Mars Stadium from 11.30am.

From 3.30pm, a return shuttle will depart Mars Stadium and drop passengers off in Lydiard St Nth (Train Station).

This shuttle service is expected to continue until all patrons have left Mars Stadium.  

The Park and Ride Shuttle service that has previously operated during some AFL matches in Ballarat will not be in operation this weekend.  

A fan zone will be located inside Gate 3 on the netball courts with a range of kids activities including inflatable, handball target and kids activities to keep young Bulldogs fans entertained before the first bounce.  

Gates open at 12.40pm. Tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.