Will Bulldogs v Pies kick off season 2016?

[bornadog]

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COLLINGWOOD and the Western Bulldogs have requested to kick off the 2016 AFL fixture with a blockbuster clash at the MCG, Bulldogs president Peter Gordon has confirmed.


It comes as Gordon lobbies the League to form a sub-committee that will reward the Dogs with more marquee games after playing "he best and most attractive footy in the competition" in 2015.


"We’ve made a specific request for a round one game against Collingwood, and Collingwood have requested that too," Gordon said.


"We’d like the AFL to make us more of a priority in terms of how they are fixturing the games in order to provide for the enormous growth which the Western Bulldogs can provide for the competition.


"We are also right into Thursday night games and Friday night games.


"We want more games at the 'G, we want more games that are the signature games of the round and we want more Friday nights."


The Bulldogs made a stark rise up the ladder this year, defying the departure of their captain and coach last year to jump from 14th on the ladder in 2014 to an elimination final.


"When you think about what we've done, the fact we are going to make a profit this year and we’ve built the membership up to a record level despite discrimination upon discrimination … just give us a fair go," Gordon said.


"There are any number of ways that we don’t get the chance to get the big crowds, the free-to-air stuff (and) the Friday nights.


"They are bad enough by themselves but when you add them together … Give us the sort of fixture, the sort of venues and the opportunities that might make us an even better asset to the competition.


Gordon used the club’s clashes with Hawthorn as an example of the Bulldogs’ unfavourable draw in recent years.


"Every game we’ve played against Hawthorn since I can’t remember when has been played at Launceston," Gordon said.


"We haven’t played a game against them at the ‘G since I think the last time we played them in a final."

[Webby]

I think it's Collingwood's turn to host us next year, isn't it?

I remember thinking that PG's reticence in the face of our Etihad-MCG final might've been as a result of some back room horse-trading. I fully expect some juicy crowd pulling fixtures for us next year.

[divvydan]

Game might be Rd 1 but it seems Carlton and Richmond have the "first game of the season" rights for some reason.

[Remi Moses]

Game might be Rd 1 but it seems Carlton and Richmond have the "first game of the season" rights for some reason.

We'll be waiting with baited breath for that clash

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Game might be Rd 1 but it seems Carlton and Richmond have the "first game of the season" rights for some reason.

Surely it's time to shelve this. It sucks every year.

[Greystache]

Surely it's time to shelve this. It sucks every year.

Come on, who doesn't want to start the season with the team that hasn't won a final in 14 years vs a team that's won 4 wooden spoons in that time?

[Mofra]

Game might be Rd 1 but it seems Carlton and Richmond have the "first game of the season" rights for some reason.

They can have the Thursday season opener, we'll have a big Saturday Pies game.
Everyone wins (except Carlton who will be lucky to win anything next year)

[Ozza]

The thing about asking for the big games on the bigger stages...is that you then have to play them and win them.

Hopefully we are well and truly up to the task.

[Remi Moses]

Collingwood are endorsing it, which means it will happen

[KT31]

Collingwood are endorsing it, which means it will happen

Agree if its got the stamp of Eddie and co., put it in the diary.

[LostDoggy]

Agree if its got the stamp of Eddie and co., put it in the diary.

You can lock it in thank's Eddie.