Prince Harry took centre stage on Wednesday morning as the Western Bulldogs AFL team greeted the former royal at their home base in Melbourne’s west – but he left about 100 footy fans very disappointed.

Footy stars Tom Liberatore, Matthew Kennedy and Adam Treloar spent time with the Duke of Sussex at Whitten Oval, where his attempts to kick and handball a Sherrin footy left a lot to be desired.

The Duke of Sussex was in suburban Footscray after helping launch a new report on the importance of mental health for new parents, mainly men.

Around 100 Western Bulldogs fans assembled at the main entrance to the facility, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

But they were left disappointed when the royal and his entourage slipped in through a side gate. 

The supporters waited patiently for around an hour while Harry attended the engagement inside the Dogs’ HQ, and were still craning their necks and peering through the glass windows when, unbeknown to them, Harry made a quiet exit through a different side gate in his chauffeur-driven vehicle.

Prince Harry took centre stage on Wednesday morning as he visited the Western Bulldogs AFL team, and tried his hand at kicking with stars Tom Liberatore (left) and Adam Treloar

Dogs fans who arrived at the club’s headquarters (pictured) hoping to get a glimpse of Harry left very disappointed  

Sports-mad Harry (pictured with Liberatore, Matthew Kennedy and Treloar) chose to visit the club due to its ties to a charity that raises money for men’s health

He travelled to Tullamarine Airport, where he was whisked through the Qantas terminal by staffers to board a commercial flight to Canberra.

The father of Archie, six, and Lilibet, four, sports-mad Prince Harry took part in a panel discussion with the Movember charity’s Dr Zac Seidler at Bulldogs HQ.

He used the discussion to open up about his personal experience of fatherhood and  call for men to take better care of their mental health.

‘It’s the most important and transformational role a guy can ever move into,’ he said. 

‘That role… gives you purpose. You want to be the best version of yourself for your kids.’

The Duke’s children were also given every reason to become Bulldogs fans, with custom ‘Archie’ and ‘Lilibet’ jerseys presented to the Duke.

Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains revealed the club initially thought there might have been a mistake when they learned about the pending royal visit.

‘Our first reaction was one of disbelief and needing to double-check that we had the facts right,’ he told Nine Newspapers. 

The Duke’s two children were given every reason to become Bulldogs fans, with custom ‘Archie’ and ‘Lilibet’ jerseys presented to the Duke of Sussex (pictured)

Prince Harry is also scheduled to attend the NSW Waratahs vs Pasifika Moana rugby union clash at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday night

One lucky youngster got to have a kick around with the royal 

On Tuesday, Harry (pictured, in Melbourne with Meghan) toured a centre delivering support to women and children experiencing family violence and homelessness

‘Like, have we got the right person here?

‘When we had a staff meeting to inform everyone of the Duke’s arrival, there were a few gasps in the audience.

‘There’s definitely a level of intrigue in some quarters and excitement in others.’

Harry’s wife Meghan did not attend the event, which disappointed many as they are fans of the show Suits, which she previously starred in.

The trip to Whitten Oval isn’t the only footy-based outing the Duke has planned for this tour.

He and Meghan are also scheduled to attend the NSW Waratahs vs Pasifika Moana rugby union clash at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

In stark contrast to the trip to Melbourne’s west, they’ll be entertained in a private box at the boutique stadium in Sydney’s flashy east as guests of Rugby Australia CEO and former Wallabies star Phil Waugh.

The visit marks Harry and Meghan’s first trip Down Under since 2018.