Prediction Bulldogs v Magpies annual R1 fixture

[Bont2Bruce]

I have a lot of man love for Peter Gordon and the things he is doing for this footy club.

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2015-07-26/dogs-pies-want-annual-round-one-match

Bulldogs, Magpies want annual round-one match

THE WESTERN Bulldogs and Collingwood want to face each other in an annual round-one meeting at the MCG.

Bulldogs president Peter Gordon revealed plans for the clash at a function before the Dogs and Magpies met at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, saying the clubs would lodge a joint submission to the AFL to lobby for the fixture.

"This will be a rivalry which over the next few years should guarantee the showcasing of two teams of the biggest emerging stars of the competition," Gordon said.

"We're not looking to steal anyone else's blockbuster games – we just want to create one of our own.

"We figure the Pies and the Dogs will be meeting a few times at the 'G over the next few years (and) we'd just like the chance to start the season that way as well as ending it there against them."

Gordon reinforced the Bulldogs' aim to be scheduled four to six Friday night games next year.

He said the club would also break the $40 million revenue barrier for the first time in the club's history, post a "healthy" profit and a record membership figure of about 36,000.

 

[VitalDread]

Yes plz

 

[FROGGR]

Hopefully the performance (and crowd turnout) today gives food for thought to the AFL - in terms of the proposed Good Friday game for next year (as well as a round one game versus Collingwood). They've certainly been left with mud on their faces with respect to Carlton/ Friday night games this year - so a Carlton/ North blockbuster as proposed by a posturing James Brayshaw looks increasingly unlikely.

 

[FROGGR]

I also share the Gordon love. We are in good hands.

 

[dogwatch]

Constructive thinking but I'm a bit conflicted. No, actually I'm not even conflicted. I'm opposed to it.

If we "create one of our own" we'll certainly be better off than we are (i.e. none), but will we be as well off as we would be if we could dismantle the whole schemozzle of having clubs locked into their blockbusters? All we do is create a race to establish blockbusters (usually with one of the clubs that already has a large Vic following). In the long run we are more likely to lose out in that race than win it.

I would rather things like the ANZAC Day fixture be allocated on an annual basis (rewards-based preferably) rather than lock Essendon and Collingwood into a gold mine of gate receipts and fan recruitment in perpetuity. Especially when one of those clubs has behaved disgracefully towards its players, the AFL and the competition in recent years... why should they be allowed to continue to cart away the gold?

Furthermore, every club is courting Collingwood to be their opponent in a blockbuster. What is that going to do to Collingwood's long-term prospects? How does that put us or any other club on an even footing with them?

Call me an idealist, but if you want to talk about level-playing fields then you don't lock in even more blockbusters. You dismantle the whole Old Boys club and allocate premium venues/dates according to merit.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

Constructive thinking but I'm a bit conflicted. No, actually I'm not even conflicted. I'm opposed to it.

If we "create one of our own" we'll certainly be better off than we are (i.e. none), but will we be as well off as we would be if we could dismantle the whole schemozzle of having clubs locked into their blockbusters? All we do is create a race to establish blockbusters (usually with one of the clubs that already has a large Vic following). In the long run we are more likely to lose out in that race than win it.

I would rather things like the ANZAC Day fixture be allocated on an annual basis (rewards-based preferably) rather than lock Essendon and Collingwood into a gold mine of gate receipts and fan recruitment in perpetuity. Especially when one of those clubs has behaved disgracefully towards its players, the AFL and the competition in recent years... why should they be allowed to continue to cart away the gold?

Furthermore, every club is courting Collingwood to be their opponent in a blockbuster. What is that going to do to Collingwood's long-term prospects? How does that put us or any other club on an even footing with them?

Call me an idealist, but if you want to talk about level-playing fields then you don't lock in even more blockbusters. You dismantle the whole Old Boys club and allocate premium venues/dates according to merit.

Except that we are living in an entirely different space, in which the AFL holds all the cards and blockbusters are not going to disappear just because you (and I) think they are unfair.

 

[AFDogs]

I like the idea. Us and Collingwood always have good games and are mostly exciting fixtures. Make it happen.

Most importantly, throw it on a Friday night too.

 

[dogwatch]

Except that we are living in an entirely different space, in which the AFL holds all the cards and blockbusters are not going to disappear just because you (and I) think they are unfair.

OK, I understand that - and the pragmatic view is understandably to salvage what we can - but if we do that let's not pretend we still occupy the moral high ground.

If it turns out badly for us in the medium to long term we would be hypocrites to then call for a restructuring of blockbusters, etc.

 

[Tommycash]

OK, I understand that - and the pragmatic view is understandably to salvage what we can - but if we do that let's not pretend we still occupy the moral high ground.

If it turns out badly for us in the medium to long term we would be hypocrites to then call for a restructuring of blockbusters, etc.

I think we should attempt this but as soon as it happens argue your point. Collingwood might pull their support if they think we will start shaking things up for them. If anything, it will add legitimacy for a club with a decent blockbuster to call for a more balanced blockbuster distribution.

 

[go you pups]

We've played the Pies in round 1 a few times over the last 25 years, it's just it's never been a permanent fixture though

I'm sort of with dogwatch on this one, sure Collingwood have drawing power, but there's a queue of sides lining up to play Collingwood every year in primetime due to their drawing power on both fronts, as a small club, there's no guarantees we'll be guaranteed a game like this every year due to the other "Big 4" pull likely to drag Collingwood away from us if Carlton and Essendon get their shit together and rise up on the ladder, we played Collingwood twice in 09-10 but that's all it's been since 2005 IIRC.

We need to get St Kilda involved also in getting Friday/Saturday nights against us hence helping out both our teams in the future with the fixture and building on the rivalry we already have with them, their future is just as bright as Collingwood's and ours, though they may be a little behind in their rebuild than us, our long term prospects of a successful rivalry with St Kilda is far greater than what it is with Collingwood imo due to Collingwood's existing rivalries with Carlton, Essendon, Richmond and Geelong.

This may be a good short term idea to gain instant exposure for us and a good membership drive puller if we play well in that game, but like I said, it will be only relevant while Carlton and Essendon in particular are down.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

Furthermore, every club is courting Collingwood to be their opponent in a blockbuster.

Yeah you can kinda understand why though. Firstly they are a big club so lots of their supporters show up. But secondly everyone else hates them so lots of your club's own supporters show up too. Equals big numbers to games V Collingwood.

 

[Mutt]

I don't support the logic of some on here who essentialy are saying:

"we don't like the AFL scheduling blockbuster games because we don't get to participate and therefore it creates disadvantage...and by the way, we don't want the proposed blockbuster game we'd feature in because it hurts the argument that we are disadvantaged."

 

[who_let_the_dogs_out]

Gordon for PM, bloke is a legend.

 

[dogwatch]

I don't support the logic of some on here who essentialy are saying:

"we don't like the AFL scheduling blockbuster games because we don't get to participate and therefore it creates disadvantage...and by the way, we don't want the proposed blockbuster game we'd feature in because it hurts the argument that we are disadvantaged."

That's not a fair and accurate reading of the argument.

Blockbusters are fine and we want to participate. The argument is that our disadvantage comes from having permanently locked-in contestants. If you want to get rid of inequality you recast the way blockbusters are allocated. If you want to entrench inequality you arrange yet another one with Collingwood... and most likely stir up others to arrange further blockbusters of their own, all of them with their own locked-in contestants. In a blockbuster "race" (over say 10-15 years) we would be long odds to finish anywhere near the front. More likely near the rear.

I understand why we'd want to take what we might be able to get now, but it may not be a sound long term strategy.

And "by the way" (not as central to the argument) it blunts our credibility when arguing against inequality. We can't credibly say "we should be given as much opportunity as Collingwood to succeed" because our own actions have contributed to them being perennially in the wealthy class. People like Eddy would therefore be doubly happy that we want to make a joint proposal to the AFL for a WB-Collingwood Rd 1 "fixture". It removes a vocal critic.

If you lie down with dogs you should expect to get up with fleas.

 

[Mutt]

That's not a fair and accurate reading of the argument.

Blockbusters are fine and we want to participate. The argument is that our disadvantage comes from having permanently locked-in contestants. If you want to get rid of inequality you recast the way blockbusters are allocated. If you want to entrench inequality you arrange yet another one with Collingwood... and most likely stir up others to arrange further blockbusters of their own, all of them with their own locked-in contestants. In a blockbuster "race" (over say 10-15 years) we would be long odds to finish anywhere near the front. More likely near the rear.

I understand why we'd want to take what we might be able to get now, but it may not be a sound long term strategy.

And "by the way" (not as central to the argument) it blunts our credibility when arguing against inequality. We can't credibly say "we should be given as much opportunity as Collingwood to succeed" because our own actions have contributed to them being perennially in the wealthy class. People like Eddy would therefore be doubly happy that we want to make a joint proposal to the AFL for a WB-Collingwood Rd 1 "fixture". It removes a vocal critic.

If you lie down with dogs you should expect to get up with fleas.

It is my take on the argument - it was not meant to be your take on the argument.

 

[Next Waiting]

Constructive thinking but I'm a bit conflicted. No, actually I'm not even conflicted. I'm opposed to it.

If we "create one of our own" we'll certainly be better off than we are (i.e. none), but will we be as well off as we would be if we could dismantle the whole schemozzle of having clubs locked into their blockbusters? All we do is create a race to establish blockbusters (usually with one of the clubs that already has a large Vic following). In the long run we are more likely to lose out in that race than win it.

I would rather things like the ANZAC Day fixture be allocated on an annual basis (rewards-based preferably) rather than lock Essendon and Collingwood into a gold mine of gate receipts and fan recruitment in perpetuity. Especially when one of those clubs has behaved disgracefully towards its players, the AFL and the competition in recent years... why should they be allowed to continue to cart away the gold?

Furthermore, every club is courting Collingwood to be their opponent in a blockbuster. What is that going to do to Collingwood's long-term prospects? How does that put us or any other club on an even footing with them?

Call me an idealist, but if you want to talk about level-playing fields then you don't lock in even more blockbusters. You dismantle the whole Old Boys club and allocate premium venues/dates according to merit.

I sometimes think the term block buster muddies the waters a bit. Is it a block buster if they're 17th and 18th the previous year. The TV audience may not think so but members, full of hope and anticipation of redemption, and it's round one with a clean sheet, will probably arrive en masse anyway so it's a block busting gate (not withstanding pies established base and our increasing one).
Perhaps a point not yet considered, is an attempt by both Collingwood and ourselves to lock in a non-travel game in round 1. Pies played in Brisbane round 1 this year and we in a scorching Perth round 1 last year. The possibility of the same happening again probably doesn't suit either club so lets say we make a "block buster" and trump the schedulers. Just a theory.
Dogs and fleas, jumping on backs of Tigers etc is still a valid point/consideration though (from my perspective anyway).

 

[go you pups]

And "by the way" (not as central to the argument) it blunts our credibility when arguing against inequality. We can't credibly say "we should be given as much opportunity as Collingwood to succeed" because our own actions have contributed to them being perennially in the wealthy class. People like Eddy would therefore be doubly happy that we want to make a joint proposal to the AFL for a WB-Collingwood Rd 1 "fixture". It removes a vocal critic.

If you lie down with dogs you should expect to get up with fleas.

Agreed and the same principle should be applied to Norf's "we only want to play Carlton on Good Friday" thinking, it helps Carlton more than it helps them.

 

[Bont2Bruce]

AFL says no.

Disappointing.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

So we have Freo on a Sunday afternoon at Ethiad go round one! Thanks a lot AFL.

 

[Hard Ball Get]

AFL can go and get you know what.

 

[Dogs 13]

After all the mail about playing the Saints or the big push to play the Pies, we end up playing an interstate team round 1 for the 5th year in a row.

 

[ossie_21]

When's the rest of the fixtures released? After this I can't wait to be disappointed

 

[go you pups]

Look at that fixture

Richmond Carltank Thursday night

Sydney Collingwood Saturday night

Hawthorn Geelong Easter Monday

The 4 Victorian "minnows" plus a fallen, tainted and unloved Essendon side up against interstaters




So much for "equalisation"

 

[go you pups]

And I swear

IF WE PLAY MORE BLOODY INTERSTATE TEAMS THAN VICTORIAN TEAMS AT HOME AGAIN I'M GUNNA CRACK THE SHITS BIGTIME

 

[NoName]

What a load of crap. Thanks for nothing AFL, you can't even schedule us to play against Collingwood let alone another Victorian team in round 1. Hate to imagine what the crowd will be like.