Destination Dogs.

[1eyedog]

We should not rest on our laurels and keep trying to secure a marquee match. The AFL bent us over with Good Friday - not that it was considered 'marquee' - but it shows you where we are in the pecking order so it's not an easy assignment. Considering our best rivalry at present is with GWS that's not going to be the way forward for us.

We should be lobbying the AFL around the issue of equalisation and look to secure a Round 1 home game against the Pies every year. That's a good launch pad.

[Grantysghost]

We should not rest on our laurels and keep trying to secure a marquee match. The AFL bent us over with Good Friday - not that it was considered 'marquee' - but it shows you where we are in the pecking order so it's not an easy assignment. Considering our best rivalry at present is with GWS that's not going to be the way forward for us.

We should be lobbying the AFL around the issue of equalisation and look to secure a Round 1 home game against the Pies every year. That's a good launch pad.

Yep this is something I didn't even think of.

Why are we the only side without one it's really unbelievable.

If the aints get the opening round v the pies I'll spew up !

[WBFC4FFC]

The saints are spending massive $$$ on these players which we are unwilling to do. That's the only reason they've gotten players to choose them.

Outside of the $$$ it all comes down to big clubs vs small clubs. The saints know this and have decided the only way to get ahead of the big clubs is to spend big. I'm not sure that it's an effective strategy but they're trying something different.

We don't have the same luxury as we have a fair number of top talent players (Bont, Darcy, Naughton with Richards and Freijah probably not far behind. Jamarra was part of this as well). I don't know what the answer is. I would've thought playing with Bont would've been enough but apparently not. I am a little concerned how irrelevant we'll become post Bont but maybe Darcy can fill those shoes.

I do agree that getting Butters will flip the tables immediately. A big name changes the reputation in player circles. It's what the Saints are trying to do. It's basically propoganda at this point. "Hey look how many players want to come here. We're a destination club". Nevermind the only reason players are going there is big coin.

Ended up at the Moorabbin facilities on the weekend, given my son had a basketball game at their basketball court. They knocked down the old grandstand to build these training facilities and they look and feel very old and dated. There is no vibe or soul out there. Not a patch on Whitten Oval.

Better off staying in Seaford. Would have attracted the vain players wanting a more coastal lifestyle.

[doggies ftw]

Geography is an undeniable issue. Prospective trade targets love the idea of living bayside in Melbourne.

It's not just us - players in recent years aren't too thrilled by the prospect of Arden St or The Hanger either. It's even starting to affect Carlton - the northern suburbs are not an appealing location for would-be AFEL footballers and their future real estate portfolios.

I get that but Footscray is pretty central, you don’t have to live in the western burbs, it’s a pretty short commute from any of the nicest areas in Melb. Bont from Kew etc

Hawks will have it much worse out in Dingley village and it hasn’t seemed to affect them although maybe it will in the future, but you’d think any of their recent recruits would have considered the facilities move.

Maybe we need to get a property developer in Williamstown on board as a sponsor, so we can offer nice house packages under the table…

[Rocket Science]

Geography is an undeniable issue. Prospective trade targets love the idea of living bayside in Melbourne.

It's not just us - players in recent years aren't too thrilled by the prospect of Arden St or The Hanger either. It's even starting to affect Carlton - the northern suburbs are not an appealing location for would-be AFEL footballers and their future real estate portfolios.

There's a common denominator here alright and it ain't a lack of sea views.

It's a lack of success.

[GVGjr]

We are at a massive disadvantage compared to a lot of team in the competition.
4 GF in 100 years isn't a compelling for people to request trades with us as a destination.

In the past we have missed players because of our facilities.
That has been rectified and we now have a competitive but by no means do we have a superior environment.

We have also missed out on high profile players in their prime because of our membership numbers and participation with attendances at Marvel.
We just aren't seen as an attractive club to join.
I'm not sure what we can do there, we typically don't draw big crowds unless we become a genuine top side and we are as competitive on the field as we need to be.

We also don't have the 'go home' appeal other clubs have but that might change with Butters next season.

Some of the fixes might be:
Become an AFL leader in the medical recovery or fitness aspect for players.
Perhaps we need to invest some more money there and get the right people. If you build it we will come mantra

Add more coaching resources which might be attractive for players.
We have a good development team with energetic coaches. With some additional resources it could get even better

We have good player facilities at the club. Could these become even better with some additional financial support?

Beef up the recruiting to ensure we are right across the all the players in the state and talent leagues.

Be more frugal and ruthless with our list management. Lets not be reckless and treat people poorly but in a perfect world we may not have given the likes of Duryea and JJ extra season and maybe Gardner could be coming out of contract this year rather than next.

Essentially we need to be the best or near the best in a few fields that focused players might appreciate.
In other professional sports there are smaller market teams that compete well on the field and especially off it.

[Eastdog]

Geography is an undeniable issue. Prospective trade targets love the idea of living bayside in Melbourne.

It's not just us - players in recent years aren't too thrilled by the prospect of Arden St or The Hanger either. It's even starting to affect Carlton - the northern suburbs are not an appealing location for would-be AFEL footballers and their future real estate portfolios.

Fair point although the inner west of Melbourne today (Footscray, Seddon, Yarraville, Spotswood, Newport and Williamstown) is very appealing. Property prices in the area have gone gang busters. We also have Williamstown and Altona in terms of more bayside locations.

[Grantysghost]

There's a common denominator here alright and it ain't a lack of sea views.

It's a lack of success.

Sadly this is accurate.

We've only won finals in two years of bevos reign
It's probably one of the biggest droughts in my lifetime but of course the two years were so amazing it's a mad skew.

[Grantysghost]

We are at a massive disadvantage compared to a lot of team in the competition.
4 GF in 100 years isn't a compelling for people to request trades with us as a destination.

In the past we have missed players because of our facilities.
That has been rectified and we now have a competitive but by no means do we have a superior environment.

We have also missed out on high profile players in their prime because of our membership numbers and participation with attendances at Marvel.
We just aren't seen as an attractive club to join.
I'm not sure what we can do there, we typically don't draw big crowds unless we become a genuine top side and we are as competitive on the field as we need to be.

We also don't have the 'go home' appeal other clubs have but that might change with Butters next season.

Some of the fixes might be:
Become an AFL leader in the medical recovery or fitness aspect for players.
Perhaps we need to invest some more money there and get the right people. If you build it we will come mantra

Add more coaching resources which might be attractive for players.
We have a good development team with energetic coaches. With some additional resources it could get even better

We have good player facilities at the club. Could these become even better with some additional financial support?

Beef up the recruiting to ensure we are right across the all the players in the state and talent leagues.

Be more frugal and ruthless with our list management. Lets not be reckless and treat people poorly but in a perfect world we may not have given the likes of Duryea and JJ extra season and maybe Gardner could be coming out of contract this year rather than next.

Essentially we need to be the best or near the best in a few fields that focused players might appreciate.
In other professional sports there are smaller market teams that compete well on the field and especially off it.

Marvel. That's a factor I think. We are the only team to ever win a flag from Marvel.

[Eastdog]

On the recent member survey from the club I said that we should request to play more at the MCG.

Playing there against higher drawing teams certain helps.

You need to play there to win it. It was great night there for our 100th anniversary game against Collingwood getting 78K for a home game although the result not so much.

[Aidan7557]

On the recent member survey from the club I said that we should request to play more at the MCG.

Playing there against higher drawing teams certain helps.

You need to play there to win it. It was great night there for our 100th anniversary game against Collingwood getting 78K for a home game although the result not so much.

Agree with this so much. Not playing 4 or 5 games at the MCG a year is a huge issue. Not just for player attraction and things like that but because of the large crowd atmosphere and noise which imo is something we have struggled with in big games even at Marvel. There is a reason no clubs who play a majority of their games at Marvel have finished top 4 since the Saints 15 years ago.

[Bornadog]

On world-class medical/Fitness, etc, this is where we need to really partner with Victoria University and set up some really good courses for players who want a career path, plus use their research etc into fitness etc. Perhaps Whitten Oval can become a fitness, medical facility so palyers know they are well looked after?

Also, I know Deakin Uni has a very good Uni course on sports which covers many things such as sports management, Sports development etc , but I am not sure Vic Uni does. Classes can be held at Whitten Oval, and on the job and playeers can be encouraged to do a course.

[FrediKanoute]

The saints are spending massive $$$ on these players which we are unwilling to do. That's the only reason they've gotten players to choose them.

Outside of the $$$ it all comes down to big clubs vs small clubs. The saints know this and have decided the only way to get ahead of the big clubs is to spend big. I'm not sure that it's an effective strategy but they're trying something different.

We don't have the same luxury as we have a fair number of top talent players (Bont, Darcy, Naughton with Richards and Freijah probably not far behind. Jamarra was part of this as well). I don't know what the answer is. I would've thought playing with Bont would've been enough but apparently not. I am a little concerned how irrelevant we'll become post Bont but maybe Darcy can fill those shoes.

I do agree that getting Butters will flip the tables immediately. A big name changes the reputation in player circles. It's what the Saints are trying to do. It's basically propoganda at this point. "Hey look how many players want to come here. We're a destination club". Nevermind the only reason players are going there is big coin.

Really though, who have the Saints recruited that will really, really tip the scales? Silvagni, Flanders, etc they are good players, but not game changers. They should be better next season yes, but will it propel them up the ladder and into the top 4? Maybe, but I don't see their list having the depth or the grit. When it comes to it, building a list with a bunch of guys is still better than buying that list in. There is a sense of this being very mercenary and the fact that the Pres had to step in on WIlkie suggests that there is some separation there.

[ArsenalFC]

I like this topic, i always think when you win a preimership and/or play in grand finals, you can attract (good) players based on potential success. I don't think we recruited "stars' after 2016 and 2021. Lost opportunity.

[JackCJohnston2000]

I like this topic, i always think when you win a preimership and/or play in grand finals, you can attract (good) players based on potential success. I don't think we recruited "stars' after 2016 and 2021. Lost opportunity.

Travis Cloke?!?!?!?!

:P