What do we have to do to keep Good Friday Footy?

[Bornadog]

Re: What do we have to do to keep Good Friday Footy?

At least we had the exposure that came from them. Home games at Etihad were still under the old shit deal from a revenue perspective. That exposure closed Mercedes I dare say. If we waited until the end of 2017 to get Mercedes, do you think we even get their ink? We had a golden chance in 2017 to grow all aspects of the club. The players didn't take it, so now it's back to the same old thing again. Hopefully, if we get the chance to be premiers again, there's a cautionary tale here.

After the premiership in 2016, I said to my wife, my biggest concern is going backwards and not making finals

I want a dynasty, I want more premierships and I want to see us finish on top of the ladder after the H&A - something we have never achieved. I have never said at least we won a premiership, I am hungry like the wolf.

As per every year, I am optimistic about next year.

[AshMac]

Re: What do we have to do to keep Good Friday Footy?

At least we had the exposure that came from them. Home games at Etihad were still under the old shit deal from a revenue perspective. That exposure closed Mercedes I dare say. If we waited until the end of 2017 to get Mercedes, do you think we even get their ink? We had a golden chance in 2017 to grow all aspects of the club. The players didn't take it, so now it's back to the same old thing again. Hopefully, if we get the chance to be premiers again, there's a cautionary tale here.

I agree.

Also doubt you are saying this, but it’s more than just the players. The coaching staff have to take a huge look at themselves. I can understand a bunch of 23 year old lads flying off the rails, they needed to be reigned in and they weren’t. I’m the most disappointed hat we didn’t go hard for some solid experience in our coaching staff this year. Would have loved Ratten, but surely he is eyeing the senior job at saints when richo surely gets the ass after next season.

[hujsh]

Re: What do we have to do to keep Good Friday Footy?

It was great to play 9 Thursday/Friday matches, but only two were home games.

Who cares? As BT said you play those games for the exposure and home or away you're one of two teams in the prime time slot.

[GVGjr]

Re: What do we have to do to keep Good Friday Footy?

The Western Bulldogs want another crack at Good Friday game

The AFL have not closed the door on the Western Bulldogs playing on Good Friday once again despite overlooking them in the slot in consecutive seasons.

The Bulldogs will catch up with the AFL soon to ensure they are considered for the slot in the future after Essendon was drawn to play North Melbourne on Good Friday this season at Marvel Stadium.

Good Friday football drew just 33,966 people in 2018 when St Kilda played the Kangaroos after attracting 42,814 the previous season when the Western Bulldogs played North Melbourne in the first game ever played on Good Friday.

A sell-out is expected next season when the Bombers play North Melbourne in round five and the AFL is keen to eventually lock in the fixture so the same opponents play each other on Good Friday for three to five years.

Head of AFL Fixturing Travis Auld said the Western Bulldogs remained a chance to play on that day again.

"We haven't locked in the opponents. North have had the [Good Friday] game for three years and they have been pushing for that opportunity for a long time," Auld said.

"The Bulldogs were the opponent in year one and did a really, really good job. I know they are interested in it [and we're] happy to have a conversation about the role they might play going forward.

"We need to make a decision about whether at some stage we lock in the two teams for a period of time ... that is a conversation we will have after this has all settled down."

It's understood the Bulldogs were frustrated that the investment they put in to make Good Friday a success had not been rewarded with another game scheduled in that slot and some clubs are concerned that all the marquee slots go to the same clubs rather than being shared across the competition.

Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains told the club website that they were happy overall with the fixture but they would continue to push to play on Good Friday.

"Our major disappointment is again missing out on being involved in a Good Friday game after the great success of the inaugural event in 2017, when we successfully partnered with North Melbourne," Bains said.

"We firmly believe opportunities for marquee games need to be more evenly shared across the competition.

"Regardless, we will continue to support this concept, and the Good Friday appeal, in the strong hope that we can again be part of this fixture in 2020."

This year there will be two games played on Good Friday after West Coast requested the chance to play a home game on the public holiday and they have been drawn to play Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium that night after North Melbourne plays Essendon.

[Bornadog]

Re: What do we have to do to keep Good Friday Footy?

AFL can get stuffed as far as I am concerned.