Western Bulldogs heroes have promised to continue their premiership party in Ballarat after a mix-up left their goldfields fans "disappointed" on Monday.
The City of Ballarat told excited Bulldogs fans at the weekend that their drought-breaking team would be in the regional centre, with the premiership cup in tow, for a parade on Monday afternoon.
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Bulldogs party on Mad Monday
Western Bulldogs players celebrated Mad Monday at the Railway Hotel in Yarraville where the windows and doors were covered in white paper. Vision courtesy Seven News.
But the task of taking the cup to Ballarat fell to coach Luke Beveridge, as the players gathered for Mad Monday celebrations in Melbourne.
Players started filing into the Railway Hotel in Yarraville about 5pm on Monday, where the windows and doors were covered in white paper.
The pub refused to confirm it was hosting the Bulldogs' Mad Monday celebrations, although a sign on the door said it was closed for a "private function".
Butcher George Vourvahakis, whose shop Andrews' of Yarraville is opposite the hotel, said he saw about a dozen Bulldogs players going inside.
"I had a photo with Mitch Wallis ... they are still in there," Mr Vourvahakis said about 6.30pm.
"I saw Lin Jong and a few others, but I am not familiar with all their names. They went in straight away."
He said the players were dressed in jeans and T-shirts and were not with their partners.
"Very, very respectable," Mr Vourvahakis said.
"They were not loud ... they were not wearing suits. What they are doing there, they are probably eating and watching the replay."
Meanwhile, more than 1000 loyal Western Bulldogs fans gathered outside the Ballarat Town Hall, despite the absence of the 22 players who beat Sydney on Saturday.
Beveridge apologised to fans at the parade, saying his team was new to winning premierships and overestimated what it could achieve in the post-premiership celebrations.
However, he vowed to make sure there was another chance for players to celebrate with fans in Ballarat.
The Ballarat council had promoted the Bulldogs visit at the weekend, saying everyone was invited to congratulate "coach Luke Beveridge and players".
As a result, the Ballarat Courier plastered an image of premiership celebrations on Monday's front page with the headline "They're coming".
But the council later clarified via Facebook that only Beveridge and club president Peter Gordon would be in attendance.
"Don't forget the Western Bulldogs Community Celebration event is on today from 4.30 to 6pm outside the #BallaratTownHall," the council wrote on its Facebook page on Monday.
"Come along to congratulate coach Luke Beveridge and president Peter Gordon, and see the 2016 AFL Premiership Cup."
News of the team's absence was initially greeted with disappointment in the goldfields city, where the Bulldogs will begin playing some home games from next year.
Most fans, however, were very forgiving.
Lifelong fan Margaret Tung said she was disappointed the players were not in Ballarat, but was elated she would get the chance to see coach Luke Beveridge.
"It was a bit disappointing the players aren't here, but they can be out partying," she said.
"They won the premiership, they can do what they want."
It's understood the Bulldogs were due to release a statement later on Monday clarifying the confusion about the appearance of players at the event.
Home and away matches will be held in Ballarat for the first time next season after the Dogs' signed an agreement in 2014 with the AFL and State government to host a game at the redeveloped Eureka Stadium in 2017, and two a year from 2018 to 2021.
Here's how social media reacted to the news
@westernbulldogs loyal fans ✔️ ballarat weather ✔️ Bulldogs players ??? #shameforthekids pic.twitter.com/sYBc9hzvsL
— carbs (@carbs_28) October 3, 2016
Seriously @westernbulldogs - this is your level of commitment to Ballarat?? Cancelling player attendance to community celebration=poor form
— Flying Tea Parlour (@flyingteaparlor) October 3, 2016
When your daughter finds out @westernbulldogs @JStringer9 is not Ballarat bound. pic.twitter.com/VoEq6Tvzkx
— Belinda Compton (@BELBELCHIC) October 3, 2016
@BruceRobertsWIN @westernbulldogs @WINNews_Bal I guess we had Bob Murphy in #Moyston a few months ago.
— Gareth Olver (@GBO26) October 3, 2016
@westernbulldogs maybe too tough to get players to Ballarat? Just need a couple ... Weekend at Bernies style?
— Andrew Eales (@edeales) October 3, 2016
https://t.co/pU7UB6NjcWPretty applicable to the #Bulldogs situation with Ballarat today really...
— Brendan Wrigley (@brendan_wrigley) October 3, 2016
Dissapointed the @westernbulldogs players are not coming. Beverage is a champ but it not worth heading to Ballarat town hall now #slap
— Adam Cornell (@MrCricketAust) October 3, 2016
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