WHEN the Western Bulldogs' players arrive in Launceston on Saturday before their round 3 clash with Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium, they will encounter something a bit different at the airport.
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The players will find a sign announcing that by the order of the City of Launceston "Doggies to be leashed at all times from this point forward" and that "Badly behaved dogs may require muzzling".
A mannequin donning a Hawthorn jumper and keeping a toy bulldog on a leash will also be one of the first things they see.
It follows on from the "No Magpies" sign before Collingwood's NAB Challenge visit in February, which gained nationwide attention.
"It is about getting people excited about footy, and we encourage the light-hearted rivalry between teams," Hawthorn's Tasmanian operations manager David Cox said.
Sunday's match, which is expected to attract a crowd of more than 13,000, will also:
● Be the club's Pink Ribbon clash for this year. Fans can wear pink, with a guard of honour of more than 100 people affected by cancer. Hawthorn players will wear pink socks.
● Feature the Tassie Taste Corner, with Earthy Eats, manubread and Meat Bread Cheese products on offer.
● Have a larger children's area.
● Provide a chance to win a trip for two to Hawthorn v Sydney at the MCG in May.
● Feature entertainment from buskers.
● See the 2014 premiership flag be presented to the crowd.
● The traditional Hawk Walk leaving City Park at noon.
● Be the opportunity to have a kick-to-kick on the ground post-game.
Hawthorn will have an open training session at Aurora Stadium from 3pm-4pm on Saturday.