That will change on Saturday when the 2016 Western Bulldogs team runs out for the club’s first grand final since 1961.

Hobbs played rover for the Bulldogs back in 1961 under coach Ted Whitten.

He said this week has brought back memories from the 1961 season.

“Seeing the Bulldogs win their preliminary final definitely brings back memories,” he said.

“It also brings back bad memories of the 1961 grand final against Hawthorn.”

The 74-year-old said he saw plenty of similarities between the 2016 team and the 1961 side that lost to Hawthorn by 43 points in the season decider.

“The side that is playing now is the young, fast running team,” he said.

“They are tougher than we were, but play in a similar way to how our side was.”

Hobbs was forced to move from Altona to Daylesford to remain eligible to play for Footscray after Altona became part of South Melbourne’s zone. 

He said the 2016 grand final opponent had significant meaning to him because of it.

“I just did not want to play for South Melbourne,” he said.

“I was Footscray through and through.

“I could never play or barrack for any other team.”

Hobbs kicked eight goals against South Melbourne as a rover in 1962.

He said he was sure it must be a record amount of goals for a true rover in the game.

The Footscray rover is famous for taking one of the marks of the century during the 1961 preliminary final against Melbourne.

Hobbs said the picture nearly did not happen.

“Ron Scorah called in to the game on the way to a wedding,” he said.

“He nearly did not end up at the game.

Hobbs said he was glad the photo was captured though.

“Yes, because the mark has stuck with me ever since,” he said.

“But plenty of people think it is all I did that year.

“I had to win a clearance from the Ballarat league to play for Footscray.

“Based on Brownlow votes, I ended up being awarded the recruit of the year that year.”

Hobbs said he wanted to acknowledge Footscray’s ground manager Jim Hood, Burt Mom and Trevor Baldock for the roles they played in his career.

Hobbs is confident the Western Bulldogs will break their 62-year premiership drought against the Sydney Swans on Saturday.

“I watch every Bulldogs game on television,” he said.

“And I think they will win.

“I said  before the preliminary final if the Bulldogs beat the Giants then they will end up premiers.

“Not may, but will.

“I have never been as confident about the team’s prospects of winning a flag as I am this week.”