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  1. #16
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    We're being run really well, after what appeared to be a few signs that across the board we'd gotten a bit comfortable with ourselves after 2016.

    There are still the inequities in the draw and exposure provided to teams across the league, though it would be fair to say that this is probably the least hostile administration or two that we have come up against and that can't be discounted, without taking anything away from the excellent work those at the club put in.
    Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.

  2. #17
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    We've nailed our really important off field signings, starting with Peter Gordon (lawyer). We missed pretty badly with David Stevenson and Gary Kent stood in. We let Dalrymple go a year early and JMac also left. Then we brought in:

    Ameet Bains (lawyer) was a great signing. A guy with a lot of experience across a lot of roles at St Kilda and I don't think he's put a foot wrong. Helping get Bruce across is a cherry on top. Matt Finnis must be a solid citizen at St Kilda, but seeing the way Bains is advancing our expansion and developments/redevelopments they'd love to have Bains back I'm sure.

    Sam Power (lawyer) is another great signing. Had experience at Carlton across a few different areas and wouldn't they love to him back there after pushing SOS out. He has been outstanding to date. His first three years in charge could as good, or if not better than his predecessors. Re-signing guns, realigning the list and staring down opposition list mangers at Brisbane, Adelaide & St Kilda to get great trades. Not something we are all that used to.

    Nick Austin is a bit to early to call with only two drafts, but he nailed his picks last year it seems. Had a lot of experience across multiple clubs and multiple areas of specialisation, last at Richmond. Solid performer so far with Bailey Smith on his resume and hopefully Weightman as a gun too.

    The board generally has been well managed with inclusions to it. It's sub committees that brought in an untried head coach over the easier decision of previous senior coach after BMc was a brave call. St Kilda wouldn't mind keeping Bevo & Bains a couple of years back.


    I like we are putting emphasis on a mix of high IQ, footy industry experience and bringing in insights from other clubs. Something I was hoping we'd do a little bit more with our coaching panel. We never seem to be in the race for Neal Balme types of off field appointments, but we are money balling the very best candidates the next level down and nailing them (ex. Stevenson). And it's paying off bigly for the club. I'm sure other similar types of clubs are looking at how we've compiled our off field team, and what our ideal candidates possess, with a view to identifying off field footy talent at other clubs to improve their clubs.

    I look forward to our new Indigenous Programs Manager being announced. Plus hopefully at least one new assistant coach from another club. A cherry on top would be another Graeme Lowe type of broad elite sports professional to come in and the the support to the head coach and coaching team that Lowe was in 2016.

    It's one thing to have big dreams. We have for a long time dreamt of not being a small club or feeder club of talent to bigger clubs. The dreaming and ambition part is easy. Not all that long ago we were asking players to give some of their wages back. A senior manager low balled Cal Ward (it's 100% fact, please let us not debate this again) and he left. Our CEO was told about the events that led up to Shocktober with BMac & Gryphone and it still happened. Plus Edgewater was a disaster and far from the dream members were sold. Dreams and ambition are great, but they aren't enough in isolation. But over the last couple of years I think we've managed to bring together highly competent and proficient footy industry professionals that excel at their given roles for the betterment of the club. These folks are in the process of making club dreams, club realities.

    So I'd agree that this is the best run we've been. But there's plenty of work to do in making sure this list gets another couple of flags, continuing the Ballarat & WO developments, developing a stronger indigenous player program be player numbers, and locking in big sponsors, long term. But I feel a calming confidence that the people we have are highly competent enough to deliver for the club and members. The other challenge is making sure that we can retain these folks for as long as we possibly can before the big clubs and huge cheque books come for them.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

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  4. #18
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Good post BT. Unusually short for you, however.

    I like the idea of nailing the "doing" appointments with highly competent and emerging talent. Bains and Power are perfect examples of this, both took on substantially larger roles but they clearly knew the strategic and tactical sides of their segments of the industry and were able to develop into broader roles. That's potentially going to lead to some bumps along the way, which we haven't really copped thus far, but the upside is fresh approaches and a most likely more empathetic view across all roles in the footy club "value chain" which can be missed by more seasoned operators who might be a little more set in their ways.

    While the playing group seems tight, we have a lot of work to do in ensuring the management lapses that saw the post premiership decline be worse than what bad attitudes and injuries should have allowed. How do we take on Jamara, how do we make sure any of our future success if achieved is served by the playing group with humility instead of self entitled and haphazard attitudes? While our indigenous program needs to be developed, and I fully support huge resources being poured into this area to try and bridge the gap between us and clubs that are more sophisticated in this area, we need to make sure that all employees of the club treat it as a safe space and an enjoyable place to work. Get that right rain, hail or shine, and we're in a fantastic place to weather any storm that bad form, injury or luck dishes up to us.
    Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate.

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  6. #19
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by jeemak View Post
    Good post BT. Unusually short for you, however.

    I like the idea of nailing the "doing" appointments with highly competent and emerging talent. Bains and Power are perfect examples of this, both took on substantially larger roles but they clearly knew the strategic and tactical sides of their segments of the industry and were able to develop into broader roles. That's potentially going to lead to some bumps along the way, which we haven't really copped thus far, but the upside is fresh approaches and a most likely more empathetic view across all roles in the footy club "value chain" which can be missed by more seasoned operators who might be a little more set in their ways.

    While the playing group seems tight, we have a lot of work to do in ensuring the management lapses that saw the post premiership decline be worse than what bad attitudes and injuries should have allowed. How do we take on Jamara, how do we make sure any of our future success if achieved is served by the playing group with humility instead of self entitled and haphazard attitudes? While our indigenous program needs to be developed, and I fully support huge resources being poured into this area to try and bridge the gap between us and clubs that are more sophisticated in this area, we need to make sure that all employees of the club treat it as a safe space and an enjoyable place to work. Get that right rain, hail or shine, and we're in a fantastic place to weather any storm that bad form, injury or luck dishes up to us.
    For sure. The positions down the newer senior managers are vital. Our welfare manager/program would've no doubt seen some behavioural issues outside of footy to mange, and especially three recent cases of mental illness leading to time away from the game (Boyd, Cloke & Jong). It's great that these three people felt comfortable in coming forward no even going public about it, which is a tick for the welfare manger. A football club is just a slice of a segment of society, and young men be women are being more afflicted, so we need to ensure our support mechanisms can continue to support our players.

    Other apparent changes down the line that I'm assuming are new hires, or new thinkers are in digital media and membership. Our digital media as of say 3 years go wasn't very good, as well as being tired and unimaginative. The last 6+ months has seen a new style of digital media that's really imaginative, often amusing and really well provided/executed (Schache resigning video was fantastic). On membership, a lot of years go I emailed the membership manager suggesting 'years of membership' be placed on scarves as per the big clubs whose fans cherish the recognition of being long term club tragics. But it couldn't be done for a lot of reasons. Now the somewhat recent introduction of pins and certificates of years of memberships is a nice touch. So there's some good work down stream.

    Plus the appointment of Nathan Burke. I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said 'I destroy my enemies by making them my friends'...

    Of course there's work to be done above and beyond these posts. Some woofers have lamented some of the events (social club function etc) and if committing to a mid season Q&A function needing to refine it a bit more. Having got our foot back in the door for Good Friday, we need to keep it. Does the club want to keep this public feud going with BlackSoul or get passed it? It's probably keeping our media manger busy. Has the AFEL renegotiate our Marvel deal, if not, we need to keep lobbying. For 2022, there's the chance of Victorian & Federal Elections. The Premier likes helping us, while the PM says his Aussie Rules them is the WBFC. If the WO became the main home ground of many Victorian AFLW teams, and add in a car park for the railway station to our plans, then both governments can tick off the boxes of 'infrastructure, sport with an emphasis on women's sport, community investment, public transport services, and lots of Victorian jobs' for only $30,000,000 or just one easy payment of $15,000,000 each to get more votes.

    I like this thread. It's easy to acknowledge things when they're going pear shaped. But it's another thing, less frequently done, to stop to acknowledge things when they're going really well.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

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  8. #20
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by bulldogtragic View Post
    I look forward to our new Indigenous Programs Manager being announced.
    Is Brett Goodes not still in that position? He is according to his Linkedin page: https://au.linkedin.com/in/brett-goodes-899a71a4

  9. #21
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post
    Is Brett Goodes not still in that position? He is according to his Linkedin page: https://au.linkedin.com/in/brett-goodes-899a71a4
    I don't believe so, no. From memory, we advertised this job online mid/late 2019.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

  10. #22
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post
    Is Brett Goodes not still in that position? He is according to his Linkedin page: https://au.linkedin.com/in/brett-goodes-899a71a4
    Brett resigned and is now working for Adam doing a similar role I believe.
    bulldogs are forever not just when they are winning

  11. #23
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by bulldogtragic View Post
    I don't believe so, no. From memory, we advertised this job online mid/late 2019.
    Quote Originally Posted by strebla View Post
    Brett resigned and is now working for Adam doing a similar role I believe.
    Thanks.

    Strange all parties seem to have been quiet on the subject. This article from 1st August still had him at the club:
    Brett Goodes reflects on brother Adam's Australian nightmare

    I did find the position listed as you say BT with applications closing 16th August 2019, surely they should have appointed somebody by now?

  12. #24
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by Axe Man View Post
    Thanks.

    Strange all parties seem to have been quiet on the subject. This article from 1st August still had him at the club:
    Brett Goodes reflects on brother Adam's Australian nightmare

    I did find the position listed as you say BT with applications closing 16th August 2019, surely they should have appointed somebody by now?
    You'd think so, and we've not announced it or maybe the applicants were not exactly brilliant. Hard to tell.
    Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

  13. #25
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by bornadog View Post
    Mofra you can add the long term vision for the ground.



    We have been gifted land worth multi millions and will turn the Whitten Oval into a first class venue.

    I remember back in 2010 I had a tour of the new facilities (then) with Rocket and the training set up was the best in the AFL. A few weeks ago I went to a Business function at the club, and had a tour again, and it looked old and ready for a renovation. Chris Grant told us as part of the new development will include the training facilities such as the gym, the wet areas, the recovery areas etc, with a huge indoor area for kicking the ball around. The current area is just not big enough.

    The rest of the ground will be upgraded with seating and other facilities. Current budget is $45 million and includes the demolition of the Whitten stand and maybe even the current training centre.

    $40-$45 million, and will include:


    • Slight reconfiguration and upgrade of the VU Whitten Oval playing surface.
    • An increase of the spectator capacity of the VU Whitten Oval.
    • Enhancement to the spectator amenities at the venue and improvement of the experience of people visiting the precinct.
    • Rebuilding of the Whitten Stand with new function facilities and dedicated community spaces for the programs run by the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.
    • Upgrades to the administration and football department facilities and museum.
    • Broadcast quality lighting upgrade.
    • Creation of an open, environmentally-friendly and welcoming public space, including a renewed entry plaza, and running track.
    • The development of a secondary venue, also in Footscray, with training facilities for our four teams to train on, taking pressure off the ground.


    Who would have thought we could be doing such a development like this in the past.

    Lots to look forward to in the future.
    Surely this development makes us the richest club in the league if it all goes to plan?

  14. #26
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by AshMac View Post
    Surely this development makes us the richest club in the league if it all goes to plan?
    It will make us close to it.

    Some of the interstate clubs are real behemoths-if we got close they would have a lot of back up to swipe us away. Especially West Coast and Freo.
    Have you been reading those Roddy Doyle books again, Dougal!?


    I have, yeah Ted, you big gobshite

  15. #27
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by AshMac View Post
    Surely this development makes us the richest club in the league if it all goes to plan?
    We are currently third in the League on the basis of "net assets" behind Hawthorn and West Coast. The latter are $28m ahead of us and its been reported that they will announce a very large profit for last year. It is very likely they will continue to do so in future years.

    It is possible with the sale of the gaming venues and if we can secure substantial funding from the State government, the AFL and others for the redevelopment that we could sneak ahead of WC for a little while but in the medium to long run its very difficult to see that anyone can match them.

  16. #28
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by AshMac View Post
    Surely this development makes us the richest club in the league if it all goes to plan?
    No, partly because we don't own the land.

    WCE are a behemoth. Forget the big Vic clubs, they are the richest.
    Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers

  17. #29
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by Prince Imperial View Post
    We are currently third in the League on the basis of "net assets" behind Hawthorn and West Coast. The latter are $28m ahead of us and its been reported that they will announce a very large profit for last year. It is very likely they will continue to do so in future years.

    It is possible with the sale of the gaming venues and if we can secure substantial funding from the State government, the AFL and others for the redevelopment that we could sneak ahead of WC for a little while but in the medium to long run its very difficult to see that anyone can match them.
    I am happy to be 3rd, especially coming from where we were many years ago.
    FFC: Established 1883

    Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.

  18. #30
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    Re: Is this the best we've ever been run?

    Quote Originally Posted by bornadog View Post
    I am happy to be 3rd, especially coming from where we were many years ago.
    I'm happy that we will have a community hub. How many "on the fence" supporters will follow the bulldogs if they start enjoying the facilities?
    It might be a small - but steady - way to boost support in the long term.
    Western Bulldogs: 2016 Premiers

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