Chris Grant resigns

[Go_Dogs]

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/weste...c-16919355.amp

On my phone so can?t share the article text.

[angelopetraglia]

Club article https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1699654


Grant to depart Western Bulldogs

Club legend Chris Grant has informed the Western Bulldogs he will depart the Club next month after more than 30 years of service as a player, Board member, and most recently Executive.

Following the conclusion of a stellar playing career in the red, white, and blue, Grant joined the Club’s Board in 2011, before being appointed to a full-time Executive position to lead the Club’s Football department in 2016, overseeing both men’s and women’s football programs and Club football academies.

In the past nine seasons, Grant has presided over the most successful period in the Club’s history, including winning the 2016 AFL Premiership, competing in the 2021 AFL Grand Final in Perth and reaching the AFL Finals on six occasions as well as success at state league level with Footscray winning the VFL Premiership in 2016.

Alongside the success of the men’s program, the 51-year-old was charged with developing, implementing and providing ongoing leadership of the Club’s AFLW program, with the team achieving Premiership success in just its second year of operation in 2018.

After more than three decades of involvement with the Club, Grant said the time felt right to step away having placed the football department in a strong position to achieve success over the coming years.

“I’ve spent over half of my life with the Club as a player and administrator and will cherish the many memories we have created together at the Western Bulldogs,” Grant said.

“While the decision to pause and map out the next stage of my professional career has not been an easy one, I leave knowing the Club is in a great position to succeed and write the next chapter in the amazing history of the red, white and blue.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the players, coaches, and football department staff across all our programs for the trust they have shown in me to manage the football department over the past nine years, forging lifelong friendships and creating some amazing memories together along the way.

“I am looking forward to spending some quality time with Mel, Isabella, Sascha and Ollie over the coming months as we embark on the next stage of our family life together.”

A Legend in the Bulldogs Hall of Fame, Grant played 341 games for the Club across 18 seasons, highlighted by three All-Australian blazers, two Charles Sutton Medals and induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said Grant’s phenomenal contribution across all levels of the football club will leave a lasting legacy at Mission Whitten Oval.

“Chris has been an outstanding Bulldogs person for more than three decades, characterised by great integrity, care and compassion for the Club and our people,” Bains said.

“Without exception, Chris has always put the Club first, building a legacy that includes overseeing two premierships and countless accolades during his time as a champion player and progressive leader at the Bulldogs.

“Chris remains one of the best players to ever don the red, white and blue jumper. As an administrator, his ever-calming influence and ability to lead people has guided this Club through both successful and challenging times.

“On behalf of our Club and the entire Bulldogs community, we’re extremely grateful to Chris for everything he has done for us and we wish him well for the next chapter of his journey.”

Bulldogs President Kylie Watson-Wheeler hailed Grant’s outstanding contribution to the Club’s history.

“From my memories as a fan sitting on the outer of the Western Oval watching Chris play for my beloved Club, to working alongside him to build and nurture success for our players, staff and fans, his impact on our entire football club has been profound,” Watson-Wheeler said.

“During his tenure, both football programs reached the ultimate goal of a premiership, qualified for eight finals series across the AFL and AFLW and set foundations for future success in coming years.”

“On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, I want to personally thank Chris for his passion, dedication and commitment to our football club over three decades, always putting the Western Bulldogs Football Club at the forefront of everything he did.”

[angelopetraglia]

Mitch Cleary

Breaking - Chris Grant has stepped down as Western Bulldogs Executive Director of Football. Had his power within the football department diminish in 2024. Has had a tense recent relationship with Luke Beveridge, with Matt Egan promoted to this year to sit between them.

[angelopetraglia]

If there was tension between Grant and Bevo and Grant is the one who has fallen on his sword, does that mean Bevo is now safer than he was 24 hours ago?

[bulldogtragic]

Sam Power should be promoted.

Thanks Turtle.

[Scraggers]

People (supporters) have been calling for him step aside for a long time. Why now? He was in the room with draft selections and seemed invested. The timing is what I’m unsure about.


Thank you Chris for you years of dedication to our club. You are a true Bulldog

[azabob]

Thanks for everything Granty.

You were my first football hero.

Words cannot do justice to what you have done for our footy club both on and off field.

[GVGjr]

We saw him today at training and was bouncing the footy around. Still as friendly as ever.

[angelopetraglia]

Chris Grant saved this football club. If he chose to take McDonald stores to cross to Port Adelaide, I felt it could have been the end of us. He was one of the best players I have ever seen in the red, white and blue and highly underrated. Was unlucky not to be a dual Brownlow medalist.

Thanks for everything Granty.

[Axe Man]

People (supporters) have been calling for him step aside for a long time. Why now? He was in the room with draft selections and seemed invested. The timing is what I’m unsure about.


Thank you Chris for you years of dedication to our club. You are a true Bulldog

Isn't this the best time of the year to do it? Trade and draft period concluded, a bit of lull now before it starts ramping up in the new year to round 1.

[angelopetraglia]

How one fan letter and a 20 cent coin saved the Western Bulldogs September 28, 2016 - 7:51AM

CAN one young fan save a football club? Terry Wallace certainly thinks so, 20 years on from a fateful letter landing on his desk at Whitten Oval just weeks into his new job as coach

CAN one letter and 20 cents save a football club?

Terry Wallace certainly thinks so, 20 years on from that fateful letter landing on his desk at Whitten Oval just weeks into his new job as head coach.

The letter, of course, was from seven-year-old Sunbury fan Ryan Adams, pleading for star Chris Grant to stay in the red, white and blue.

Attached was a 20 cent coin he hoped would prove the difference between the Dogs’ modest offer and 1.5 million reasons to move to Port Adelaide.

Eventually that letter found Grant and tugged at his heartstrings enough to help sway him from the Power’s once-in-a-lifetime deal.

Wallace says now he forwarded it on to Grant not out of desperation, because it was his right to read his own mail.

In a remarkable piece of timing, Grant re-signed at the Western Bulldogs 20 years ago.

On Saturday the former captain, board member and current football boss will be a part of the club’s first premiership tilt since 1961.

Adams, still living in Sunbury and a Dogs member since 2005, will be at the MCG cheering on the side he helped save.

“Who would have thought a kid’s 20 cent piece and heartfelt letter would be such a critical component of the survival of a footy club?’’ Wallace said.

“By sending it on I never ever thought it would have the impact on Chris that it had. I just sent it on because it was his letter and he deserved to know what everyone was thinking about him.”

Adams was a loyal Dogs member encouraged by his father Gary to pen his letter after deciding he could not support Footscray if Grant departed.

“He was really upset about it, so I told him to write the letter,” Gary said 20 years ago.

“Ryan has a learning disability so we encourage him to do things like write letters and he wanted to put some money in there as well.”

Ryan said he couldn’t bear the thought the club’s star recruit not playing at Footscray.

“I pretty much just wrote the letter and gave it to him and he liked it and he stayed at the Bulldogs,’’ Adams told the Herald Sun.

“I just thought it was a good thing to do for him to be staying at the one club and I didn’t want him to go.

“I am actually going with my mum (to the Grand Final). I have been a Bulldogs member since 2005. It’s pretty exciting. It’s going to be a good game. This will be one of the first finals I have been to.”

Back when Adams intervened the Dogs were a basket case, with new president David Smorgon, new coach Wallace and Footscray taskforce member Rick Kennedy trying to keep the club afloat.

Wallace knew the club’s prospects were bleak but had to pitch his hopes and dreams to 23-year-old key position star Grant.

“His signing was super important. There was so much uncertainty at the time around the club,’’ Wallace said.

“The joint was broke, for all intents and purposes we had finished last because we had finished 15th and Fitzroy were going to Brisbane.

“We were almost at rock bottom and to have lost our best player would be pretty hard. It was an unbelievable offer he knocked back but it shows his loyalty to the footy club.”

Smorgon said the consequences of potentially losing Grant were much more dire than a star player departing.

“We had met Chris at Rick Kennedy’s place in Moonee Ponds one Saturday morning and having just taken over the club explained our plans,” Smorgon said.

“He was very upfront that he had a number of huge offers, one from Port Adelaide.

“We knew if Chris decided to go another 12 players would have been tempted to leave. It was such a difficult time for the club.

“When he left that meeting we were 50-50 in our minds but we were so relieved and excited to find that Chris had decided to stay thanks to that donation.”

Adams’ letter has taken on mythical status, with Grant admitting in 2010 the note had crystallised his decision of the previous day to stay rather than changed his mind.

But a club short on premierships needs emotional touchstones. Adams hopes the circle can be complete with a premiership victory on Saturday.

[Dry Rot]

People (supporters) have been calling for him step aside for a long time. Why now? He was in the room with draft selections and seemed invested. The timing is what I’m unsure about.

Agree with your question.

Of course the next question is who will be his replacement?

[Grantysghost]

If there was tension between Grant and Bevo and Grant is the one who has fallen on his sword, does that mean Bevo is now safer than he was 24 hours ago?

It means Bevo won.

[angelopetraglia]

It means Bevo won.

He won the battle, but will he win the war?

[MrMahatma]

Grant is a club legend. His legacy is set and we'll always be grateful of everything he's done as a player and administrator.

That said, I don't hate that he's gone. Another opportunity to bring change and get better. Hopefully we have the head hunters working overtime on this one.