The students at Falcon Primary School gathered together dressed in their footy gear to celebrate Saturday's AFL grand final and their friend Payton, who will be running onto the field with the Bulldogs as their official junior mascot.
Payton was contacted by the team at the Western Bulldogs to join them as their junior mascot after she missed out on watching their game against the West Coast Eagles due to COVID restrictions.
Falcon Primary School principal Tiffany Hennessey said the school was thrilled for Payton being given this opportunity.
"It's so very exciting - it's always wonderful to see successful experiences for our students," Ms Hennessey said.
"For them to have the opportunity to be a part of something so big is amazing."
Ms Hennessey added that Payton is well-known for being a Bulldogs supporter.
"She is a die-hard Bulldogs supporter," Ms Hennessey laughed.
"She's very, very happy."
The other students were equally excited when they learned Payton would be running onto the field at the grand final, so much so that when Payton needed a pair of Bulldogs socks, they came to her rescue.
"I just heard that Payton couldn't find Bulldogs socks, so some of the boys who had Bulldogs socks lent her some to wear out onto the oval," Ms Hennessey said.
"Everyone is going to be celebrating with her - it's so exciting for WA, but for it to be impacting on our little school here it's even more exciting."
The AFL grand final will take place on Saturday, September 25, and will be held at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Samantha Ferguson
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
Samantha Ferguson is a journalist at the Mandurah Mail. She is an entertainment, sport, crime, community and education journalist with a special interest in investigative pieces and human interest stories.
