Tweet
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.''
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.''
Comment