Western Bulldog’s premiership win is a bittersweet possibility for the Jong family
The current AFL finals series is a bittersweet affair for the family of injured Western Bulldogs player Lin Jong who are hoping the side can win its first premiership in more than 60 years.
It was the heartbreak story of the AFL finals – Western Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong was sidelined just as his dream of playing finals footy got underway.
Despite the setback, the Jong family are looking to the future, and they’re hoping to see the Bulldogs go all the way for the first time since 1954.
Fay Jong may have raised one the AFL’s most exciting players in Western Bulldogs midfielder Lin Jong, but she’s still waiting for him to get a real job.
One of few senior players from an Asian background, Jong has become a multicultural ambassador for the AFL.
His father Vitor said his example has encouraged many others from the Asian community to take an interest in the sport.
“Because Lin plays AFL, it makes a lot of kids follow the AFL because they want to see Lin, and they ask me ‘how is Lin playing?'”
But in the second quarter of the Bulldogs’ elimination final against West Coast, what they saw made their hearts break.
A snapped collar bone left him sidelined for the match and possibly for the remainder of the team’s finals campaign.
Images of Lin sitting on the sidelines in tears was tough on fans, but it was especially tough on his mother.
“When we saw the injury, of course our heart broken too, that’s his dream to play a final, and a Grand Final,” she said.
Disappointment over Jong’s injury has been compounded by the likelihood that the midfielder may have played his last game for the Bulldogs.
Now out of contract, Jong has been spotted at the Collingwood Football Club.
But Mrs Jong said it would be sad for her son to retire from the red, white and blue.
“We (are) very sad to be leaving the Bulldogs, we’re part of the club,” she said.
While it’s not definite he’ll wear the Pies’ jumper next season, his mother said one thing’s for sure: he won’t be sporting the tattoos the team has become famous for.
“No way” she said with a laugh.
“I’m a very old fashioned woman.”
The Bulldogs are aiming to beat the Greater Western Sydney Giants on Saturday night for a Grand Final berth, while the Jong family hope Lin can recover in time to be a part of the history making match.
