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-new...128-18cd5.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..........


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

[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.

[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

[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

[Desipura]

Or Geelong.

Yes of course

[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

[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]

What a load of crap.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

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