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Where are all the critics that said we would lose players because of the Tom Boyd deal? We still didn't spend 100% of the cap in 2016!
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THE Western Bulldogs’ remarkable cut-price premiership was achieved despite the club paying less than 100 per cent of the salary cap.
The Dogs have hit pay dirt with their unlikely premiership, cashing in on $1 million in prizemoney as well as sponsor bonuses and merchandise sales.
Western Bulldogs chief executive Gary Kent said the bonanza would allow the club to pay down debt and declare a big profit.
But it has emerged not only did the Dogs pay a much smaller wage bill than rivals, they were $1.4 million below the AFL’s $9.3 million football department cap.
The club aims to continue boosting its football department spend next year in strategic areas and will also pay all of its salary cap.
The Dogs were down near 95 per cent of the salary cap in 2014-15 before rising to a figure several per cent below the $10.3 million cap this season.
Having spent under the cap in the past three years the Dogs can bank those savings and use that extra money to pay over the cap under the AFL’s equalisation rules.
The Dogs believe their success will help them bridge the gap between themselves and the AFL’s powerhouses.
After making a record profit of nearly $400,000 last year the Dogs can begin eating into their $10 million debt with a bumper financial figure.
“We have got a pretty big smile on our faces about the revenue and profit coming our way from prize money, merchandise sales, sponsor bonuses and everything in the last month we hadn’t forecast. The figure will be very healthy,’’ Kent said.
“Last year we were something like $1.4 million below the soft cap and only about four clubs spend it.
“We (spent less than 100 per cent) of the salary cap and our aim along with retention of the list is to be at 100 per cent.
“That is our main aim and we have got some savings from prior years so we can spend that plus some more.”
The Dogs will secure Magpie Travis Cloke for a bargain-basement pick and wage, and could secure extra draft picks if Nathan Hrovat and Koby Stevens leave.
Essendon confirmed its interest in Stevens, with the club hopeful Lin Jong will accept a two-year contract rather than go to Gold Coast.
With Will Minson retiring, the Dogs are one of several clubs who will consider finding a back-up ruckman from a relatively barren market.
The Dogs also hope to expand their reach into the western suburbs next year. Part of that focus is expanding into Ballarat, where the Dogs will play for premiership points against an interstate team at the new Eureka Stadium.
“The stadium should be finished by May and we have asked for our game to be played in June or July.
Our preference would be to play Adelaide or Port Adelaide to promote the regional town. The stadium in Ballarat holds 11,000 people,” Kent said.
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THE Western Bulldogs’ remarkable cut-price premiership was achieved despite the club paying less than 100 per cent of the salary cap.
The Dogs have hit pay dirt with their unlikely premiership, cashing in on $1 million in prizemoney as well as sponsor bonuses and merchandise sales.
Western Bulldogs chief executive Gary Kent said the bonanza would allow the club to pay down debt and declare a big profit.
But it has emerged not only did the Dogs pay a much smaller wage bill than rivals, they were $1.4 million below the AFL’s $9.3 million football department cap.
The club aims to continue boosting its football department spend next year in strategic areas and will also pay all of its salary cap.
The Dogs were down near 95 per cent of the salary cap in 2014-15 before rising to a figure several per cent below the $10.3 million cap this season.
Having spent under the cap in the past three years the Dogs can bank those savings and use that extra money to pay over the cap under the AFL’s equalisation rules.
The Dogs believe their success will help them bridge the gap between themselves and the AFL’s powerhouses.
After making a record profit of nearly $400,000 last year the Dogs can begin eating into their $10 million debt with a bumper financial figure.
“We have got a pretty big smile on our faces about the revenue and profit coming our way from prize money, merchandise sales, sponsor bonuses and everything in the last month we hadn’t forecast. The figure will be very healthy,’’ Kent said.
“Last year we were something like $1.4 million below the soft cap and only about four clubs spend it.
“We (spent less than 100 per cent) of the salary cap and our aim along with retention of the list is to be at 100 per cent.
“That is our main aim and we have got some savings from prior years so we can spend that plus some more.”
The Dogs will secure Magpie Travis Cloke for a bargain-basement pick and wage, and could secure extra draft picks if Nathan Hrovat and Koby Stevens leave.
Essendon confirmed its interest in Stevens, with the club hopeful Lin Jong will accept a two-year contract rather than go to Gold Coast.
With Will Minson retiring, the Dogs are one of several clubs who will consider finding a back-up ruckman from a relatively barren market.
The Dogs also hope to expand their reach into the western suburbs next year. Part of that focus is expanding into Ballarat, where the Dogs will play for premiership points against an interstate team at the new Eureka Stadium.
“The stadium should be finished by May and we have asked for our game to be played in June or July.
Our preference would be to play Adelaide or Port Adelaide to promote the regional town. The stadium in Ballarat holds 11,000 people,” Kent said.
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