Bulldogs and Giants keen to form 'western' alliance

[chef]

THE Western Bulldogs have revealed plans to build a strong and profitable partnership with Greater Western Sydney when the Giants join the AFL in 2012.

Bulldogs president David Smorgon said discussions had already begun over how the two ''western'' clubs, which share similar demographics, could best unite and tap into their markets.

One promising option on the agenda is dubbing their matches the ''western derbies'', which both clubs hope could eventually morph into traditional blockbusters.

Advertisement: Story continues below ''I think there are lots of opportunities to work with Greater Western Sydney, given we have got similar electorates,'' Smorgon said. ''We have already had discussions with them about sharing ideas.

''There are lots of ideas we may be able to share to grow our fan base and grow our membership base.

''Clearly we are years ahead of them but we need to grow and build our base in the western region.''

Smorgon said he was happy to help the fledgling club build a strong base in Sydney's blue-collar and multicultural western suburbs, just as the Bulldogs had done in Melbourne.

What will help the partnership is that Smorgon and Giants chairman Tony Shepherd, the chairman of ConnectEast Group, have a strong personal and business relationship.

Shepherd sought advice from Smorgon before accepting an offer to join the Sydney club. ''There are a lot of similarities between us and the Bulldogs. We are interested in talking to them about those opportunities,'' Shepherd said. ''Those special games and derbies are crowd pleasers.''

That there are now two clubs with the ''western'' brand has irked some Western Bulldogs supporters, who continue to contact media outlets in Melbourne pushing for the Bulldogs to again be branded as Footscray.

The Bulldogs made the name change before the start of the 1997 season. Smorgon, who has agreed to remain president for another three years, is adamant there won't be any change.

''I have heard it. I can assure you it ain't going to happen,'' he said.

''There are a couple of people involved, they won't give their names, we don't even know if they are members.

''I can assure you, I am being re-elected unopposed for three years and that's not on my platform.''

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/bulldogs-and-giants-keen-to-form-western-alliance-20101128-18cd5.html

[GVGjr]

Western Derbies between us and GWS is ridiculous. Let's develop something with North if we want a genuine rivalry that the fans could get behind.

[Mantis]

Western Derbies between us and GWS is ridiculous. Let's develop something with North if we want a genuine rivalry that the fans could get behind.

Agree.

Why don't we have a 'western derby' with West Coast as well?

[mighty_west]

Western Derbies between us and GWS is ridiculous. Let's develop something with North if we want a genuine rivalry that the fans could get behind.

Agreed, i actually laughed pretty hard when i read that, i thought teams had to earn rivalries with performances against one another over a period of time, unless off course they come from the same state like a Port & Crows, Freo & West Coast.

Western vs Western, oh yeah..........:rolleyes:


We actually have a small'ish rivaly with West Coast, not for the West name, but more so for the incidents that have taken place over time, the Danial Southern strangle hold on Sumich, the Libba on a young Cousins, the 3 defenders vs a young Gardiner.

[Desipura]

Western Derbies between us and GWS is ridiculous. Let's develop something with North if we want a genuine rivalry that the fans could get behind.
North could not fill Arden Street, lets form a rivlary with St Kilda or Essendon

[LostDoggy]

What a load of crap.

[chef]

North could not fill Arden Street, lets form a rivlary with St Kilda or Essendon

Or Geelong.

[immortalmike]

Or Geelong.

That would be good. However, in order for it to become a rivalry we'd actually have to beat them at least once in a game that matters.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

If a rivalry happens from us beating someone in a grandfinal then I'm prepared to welcome it:)

[LostDoggy]

You can't manufacture a rivalry and whilst I embrace working with GWS to develop mutually beneficial marketing strategies, the concept of rivalry games with GWS is simply farcical.

It would be safe to assume that a natural rivalry will develop between GWS and Sydney and their focus would be best served baiting their local opposition.

Should Kevin Sheedy happen to drop into a press conference anytime between now and the start of the 2012 that he backs up Akers comments about his thoughts on the Bulldogs, cue the start of the campaign from the Marketing Department

[Ghost Dog]

Is there any precendent for clubs sharing information on marketing or other matters?
Seems a bit odd to me.
The AFL is in danger of oversaturation as it is. When every match becomes a grudge match, a derby or a clash between old rivals ( supposed or otherwise ) do we really care anymore?

[Desipura]

Or Geelong.
Yes of course

[Scraggers]

The term 'Western Derby' is used in WA for the Freo v Eagles games ... In fact, I'm pretty sure it has been trademarked as well (CUB put it all over their Carlton Mid cans in the lead up to the games).

[LostDoggy]

Look, my initial reaction was the same as most posters here, but Smorgon has been good for us with different initiatives, and I feel that we should give him the benefit of the doubt before dumping all over the initiative.

After all, I'm sure things are just in brainstorm stage at this point, where nothing should be ruled out and it's really about generating ideas. Smorgon's personal relationship with the GWS president should also not be ruled out as it has a lot of potential value -- anything that gets our brand in front of eyeballs in a positive capacity can only be a good thing, and Sheeds will no doubt put the game front of mind through the media if it ever gets up.

[GVGjr]

Look, my initial reaction was the same as most posters here, but Smorgon has been good for us with different initiatives, and I feel that we should give him the benefit of the doubt before dumping all over the initiative.


This is probably better discussed in another thread but I would challenge the view that we have been good with marketing initiatives particularly making them stick.

Based on the information we have, and if we have a lack of it then that's the clubs issue with communication again, the notion of forming a rivalry with a newly formed club that is still 12 months away from entering the competition is in my opinion one that smacks of a weak attempt to follow more naturally traditional rivalries.

[Go_Dogs]

I don't mind the concept of working with GWS, however I agree with the general consensus in this thread that holding a 'western derby' isn't the most exciting idea about, although if it helps continue our exposure in the Sydney and Canberra markets somehow, then it can't be a bad thing.

I don't think it would ever become our 'main' rivalry.

[LostDoggy]

What a complete idiotic idea. So it would be the east coast western derby? Pathetic.

I would rather continue to try to develop a rivalry with North Melbourne and/or St. Kilda.

[KT31]

What a complete idiotic idea. So it would be the east coast western derby? Pathetic.

I would rather continue to try to develop a rivalry with North Melbourne and/or St. Kilda.

Don't we have a rivalry with all teams.
I've never left a losing game and thought "Oh well we lost to (insert name) but that bis OK it wasn't (insert name)".
I love beating every team and hate losing to everyside in the competition equally, as we all should.

[LostDoggy]

This is probably better discussed in another thread but I would challenge the view that we have been good with marketing initiatives particularly making them stick.
.

Gary, you know that I have been one of the most vocal critics of our marketing initiatives in the past, so you're preaching to the choir. I just felt like giving them a break -- we have come a long way in the past ten years, and maybe I've been harsh in the past.

[Maddog37]

This might be a way to keep Vlad and his crew happy. Talk up the GWS team at every opportunity. If people are talking about it then the AFL are happy. Can't hurt to keep the people that write the cheques on your good side.

[FrediKanoute]

Western Derbies between us and GWS is ridiculous. Let's develop something with North if we want a genuine rivalry that the fans could get behind.

Actually I disagree. We share considerably more in common with GWS than we do with the Chardonnay set of WCE. Its a new team, set up a rivalry, make our suporters love to stick it up the Western Usurpers each time we beat them and let the media continue to say "its another Western Derby between the WB and GWS......". It can only be a good thing!

To say we don't need another rivalry is naive. Football is built on rivalry. Its what creates blockbuster games and with blockbuster games comes high media exposure and with high media exposure comes corporate sponsorships.

The Kangaroos proved in the 90's that you can have the most successful team going, but if you don't tap into the Corporate Sponsorship and develop those big games which everyone talks about then you are left eating the scraps of the competition.....personally, if the Kangas see out the next 10 years as a stand alone club based in Melbourne I will be very surprised!

[LostDoggy]

Actually I disagree. We share considerably more in common with GWS than we do with the Chardonnay set of WCE. Its a new team, set up a rivalry, make our suporters love to stick it up the Western Usurpers each time we beat them and let the media continue to say "its another Western Derby between the WB and GWS......". It can only be a good thing!

To say we don't need another rivalry is naive. Football is built on rivalry. Its what creates blockbuster games and with blockbuster games comes high media exposure and with high media exposure comes corporate sponsorships.

The Kangaroos proved in the 90's that you can have the most successful team going, but if you don't tap into the Corporate Sponsorship and develop those big games which everyone talks about then you are left eating the scraps of the competition.....personally, if the Kangas see out the next 10 years as a stand alone club based in Melbourne I will be very surprised!

IMHO to suggest that we can manipulate and manufacture the rivalry with GWS is naive.

I would love the Bulldogs to have one and profit from it however the simply fact that people are talking about us developing one with GWS is an immediate turn off for me, rivalries have to develop organically, unless of course we want to turn our game into a WWE event.

Over the years I believe we have had a rolling list of rivalries that have added spice to either next season or the next encounter and each of them have been as result of incidents that incite emotions in both the players and supporters, that has then been further backup up by media coverage and coaches comments.

Examples that come to mind for me include;


North and The Barry Hall incident
Richmond with Terry as first year coach, The knights bloodbath
Brisbane and the Lynch Choker taunt
Adelaide and Darren F^%&* Jarman (not to mention the two other things:))
Sydney and the Paul Kelly incident and not mention cheering when Libba did his Knee, or that thug they had at full forward who belted Grant behind play.


If none of these incidents have developed an enduring rivalry, simply telling me that I have to hate GWS because they have Western in their name doesn't cut it for mine

[Grantysghost]

Might be to stop them poaching our players!

[LostDoggy]

Might be to stop them poaching our players!

You know what, if they do, it would be one way of getting the emotion required for a rivalry (ie. piss all of us off).

[Grantysghost]

You know what, if they do, it would be one way of getting the emotion required for a rivalry (ie. piss all of us off).

True - they can stay away, losing Harbrow bad enough.... dont trust Sheeds.

[Throughandthrough]

yeah, i've allways hated the GWS Giants, ever since...ummm...ever since...umm...yeah! Boo!

[LostDoggy]

"Partnership" with a club I want to see fail and think will do just that, no thanks.

[LostDoggy]

I'd like to know who the Twit at the club is that 1st suggested this crap

[Grantysghost]

Bump - How's this "alliance" looking now??

[LostDoggy]

Bump - How's this "alliance" looking now??

Pretty healthy behind the scenes, it would seem.

[bornadog]

That would be good. However, in order for it to become a rivalry we'd actually have to beat them at least once in a game that matters.

They have beaten us in every final I can remember starting with 1976 through to 2009:(

[Doc26]

IMHO to suggest that we can manipulate and manufacture the rivalry with GWS is naive.

I would love the Bulldogs to have one and profit from it however the simply fact that people are talking about us developing one with GWS is an immediate turn off for me, rivalries have to develop organically,

Examples that come to mind for me include;


North and The Barry Hall incident
Richmond with Terry as first year coach, The knights bloodbath
Brisbane and the Lynch Choker taunt
Adelaide and Darren F^%&* Jarman (not to mention the two other things:))
Sydney and the Paul Kelly incident and not mention cheering when Libba did his Knee, or that thug they had at full forward who belted Grant behind play.


If none of these incidents have developed an enduring rivalry, simply telling me that I have to hate GWS because they have Western in their name doesn't cut it for mine

Couldn't agree more with this response to FredK's comment although obviously the OP itself has to do with a partnership rather than the manufacturing of a rivalry. GWS are organically on their way with the poaching of Ward. The suggestion of manufacturing rivalry is a ludicrous concept that only marketing consultants could conjur up.

Add Carlton and St Kilda to your list, sure there's more.

Carlton and John Elliott's "Tragic History" rant. Actually this one still riles me coming from this cheating mob.

St Kilda and Riewoldt's dive in the prelim.

[LostDoggy]

Isn't a "rivalry" match something other supporters from other teams would want to watch?? Eg the Hawthorne v Geelong games? Who in their right mind would want to watch a Dogs v Giants game if you didn't support either team? The first one with Picken v Ward might be worth a look but past that could have most football fans reaching for the remote.

[comrade]

Isn't a "rivalry" match something other supporters from other teams would want to watch?? Eg the Hawthorne v Geelong games? Who in their right mind would want to watch a Dogs v Giants game if you didn't support either team? The first one with Picken v Ward might be worth a look but past that could have most football fans reaching for the remote.

Based on Bobby Murphy's article this week, our players feel sorry for their 'little brother' Cal so I doubt there is going to be any real malice when we play them.

[LostDoggy]

Based on Bobby Murphy's article this week, our players feel sorry for their 'little brother' Cal so I doubt there is going to be any real malice when we play them.

You are right, Picken always takes it easy on his opponents.:)

[comrade]

You are right, Picken always takes it easy on his opponents.:)

He'll go to Scully, anyway.

[LostDoggy]

Maybe we will see some newer blood line up on him? Someone like Libba?