Hincks, who passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 76, was a legend among Bulldogs members and fans as the man who famously attended over 1000 consecutive games.

The dedicated fan first saw his beloved red, white and blue play live back in 1974 and would rack up a streak of 1044 continuous matches, often travelling from Portland to watch the Bulldogs play.

It was only in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic forced fans to be locked out of stadiums in Victoria that halted his run.

Despite crowds being locked out of the first game in 2020, Hincks was spotted outside Marvel Stadium hoping to watch his Bulldogs play against Collingwood.

Hincks told The Standard in 2020, just before his streak was to end due to government restrictions on mass gatherings, going to the footy to watch his Bulldogs was always a good day.

The Portland Football and Netball Club life member said the only other occasion he came close to missing a game was in 1994 when the early morning bus left without him.

His usual morning started on the bus from Portland to Warrnambool before catching the train to Melbourne. He had watched Bulldogs games all over Australia and even ventured to London for two exhibition matches.

Hincks was at the MCG in 2016 to see his beloved Bulldogs win their second premiership flag.

He was honoured for his passion and dedication to the Bulldogs the following season when he was part of the flag unfurling ceremony in 2017.

"Given he lived in Portland, a four-hour trip to Melbourne, his dedication to the Bulldogs was remarkable," the Western Bulldogs said in a statement on Thursday.

"The club would like to express its sincere condolences to Garry's family and friends during this difficult time.

"The Bulldogs players will wear black armbands during their Round 23 match against Port Adelaide, to honour all former players, officials, members and fans who have passed away during 2021."

Brad Crawford, who lives in Melbourne, first saw Hincks 30 years ago at a match and saw him in the famous Western Bulldogs' documentary Year of the Dogs but was not introduced to him until 2014.

Mr Crawford met Hincks when his friend and fellow Bulldogs supporter Kerri Briggs invited him to sit with them at the football. He also saw him at a game in Darwin.

The Blackburn North resident, who has supported the club all his life, admired Hincks dedication to the Western Bulldogs.

"He followed them through thick and thin, didn't matter what the weather was like he'd be there," he said.

"He was laid back as he would have seen a few losses in his time and that's why when we won 2016 flag I was happy for him as well because he waited so long before that to see it.

"I remember seeing him the preliminary final when we played the (Greater Western Sydney) Giants and he was so excited and I could tell how happy he was to be there.

"He knew this could be the year he has been hoping for all this time.

"It takes a lot of resilience and patience as well as he travelled from Portland to Melbourne and back to Portland every week so his investment in supporting the club that was his life was amazing."

Portland Football Netball Club president Troy Bannam said the club wished to express its sincere condolences to Hincks' family.

He said Hincks, a life member of the club, was an icon around the town and was often seen at Tigers matches when he wasn't supporting the Western Bulldogs.

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