Western Bulldogs and their partnership with Ballarat a success

[mackem]

We have over 55,000 members and people are saying move the 2 Ballarat games to Western Oval which won't hold much more than Mars.

Look at when we played Freemantle, they had one side of level 3 closed off.

 

[lachy]

The Ballarat Courier article above says that the City of Ballarats continuation to the 3 year deal is $1.375 million. That is around $450k per annum to us if it is all cash. Plus the state government contributes something. Assuming it’s the same that means $900,000 per annum less our costs. Does anyone know what we actually get?

My understanding is the Council gets the funds from the State Government so we don't get both

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[BallaratBulldog]

We have over 55,000 members and people are saying move the 2 Ballarat games to Western Oval which won't hold much more than Mars.

Look at when we played Freemantle, they had one side of level 3 closed off.

Agree it’s just a spiritual wish that won’t happen.

Ballarat games always should be the Freo or GWS types of side where the average is less or just 20,000.

If supporter’s don’t like it they need to turn up to Marvel..

I wouldn’t play Brisbane there anymore like a few of them were in the past.

 

[MYOB]

No where was it said people were turned away. At least 12,000 members didn't even bother and even if they did the majority still wouldn't have got in.

This is a very poor initiative for the majority of supporters and members and is at best marginally better than selling a couple of games interstate where at least you can make a holiday of it

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You said it:

hope we really do make a heap from these games as turning away at least 12,000 members from a home game

And as was pointed out, if people wanted to go, they could have gone, so no one was turned away

 

[lachy]

You said it:

hope we really do make a heap from these games as turning away at least 12,000 members from a home game

And as was pointed out, if people wanted to go, they could have gone, so no one was turned away

If they wanted to go they could have got in??

Maybe turned away should be can't get in even if you want to but simple maths would suggest when capacity is barely 11,000 and 9,000 odd turn up where is the option for your paid up members to actually go?

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[Zeno The Great]

Does anyone here live in Ballarat and can tell us if it is actually growing our supporter and membership base? We need to grow our membership base to keep up with the bigger teams, I like the initiative to try to do that by encompassing the greater western region, but have no idea if it is working.

 

[dergert]

Doesn't help we are dropping winnable games there!

 

[BeMoreBont]

Does anyone here live in Ballarat and can tell us if it is actually growing our supporter and membership base? We need to grow our membership base to keep up with the bigger teams, I like the initiative to try to do that by encompassing the greater western region, but have no idea if it is working.

My son (grade 1) has six kids in his class who support the Dogs. I don't know whether that's coincidence or not, but I remember growing up and it was rare having a fellow supporter in any class.

I've made my thoughts known a few times, but I feel like we could do a heap more to ensure we are really taking this Ballarat thing seriously. The Bulldog themed events that do pop up here never include a player. Kids want access to players, not mascots.

 

[geoffjennings79]

Does anyone here live in Ballarat and can tell us if it is actually growing our supporter and membership base? We need to grow our membership base to keep up with the bigger teams, I like the initiative to try to do that by encompassing the greater western region, but have no idea if it is working.

It's hard to tell on the ground. The Bulldogs supporters I know in Ballarat area have always been Bulldogs supporters, even before games started being played here. There are some neutrals who are happy to be Bulldogs for a day, other neutrals I know who follow anothervteam but can't get to games, so the Ballarat games serve as a twice-yearly live AFL fix.

There was some debate a few years back about the club releasing numbers - AFAIK they've never published definitive numbers of members in the area before games started, and if those numbers have increased and by how much.

I know they know who lives in the area, as an example a few years ago I received a text addressed to all Ballarat, Hepburn and Golden Plains members (I'm in Golden Plains, but club has my address as a PO Box in Ballarat, so not sure what they consider me!

My son (grade 1) has six kids in his class who support the Dogs. I don't know whether that's coincidence or not, but I remember growing up and it was rare having a fellow supporter in any class.

I've made my thoughts known a few times, but I feel like we could do a heap more to ensure we are really taking this Ballarat thing seriously. The Bulldog themed events that do pop up here never include a player. Kids want access to players, not mascots.

Have heard quite a few people express the same frustration. It's less than 90mins from WO - how hard is it to send a player (even not in current 22, but from senior list) a few times a year to events?
They did it early years - one competition on radio to have 4 players Inc Bont(!) come and have kick-to-kick at your place, but hardly anything since.
Peter Gordon came to Ballarat early on for a q&a at the Leagues club, but again, nothing since.
Hawk, Liber snr and EJ jnr have been involved with Sons of the West, but as you say, kids want a name they know.

 

[Roogal]

When the great Bulldogs-Giants rivalry will return to Mars Stadium​

The Western Bulldogs are set to face the Gold Coast Suns, and their great rivals GWS Giants, at Mars Stadium next season after the release of the AFL fixture for 2024 on Thursday afternoon. The AFL has avoided the dead of winter in Ballarat, with matches scheduled for 1pm, Sunday, March 24 against the Suns and in the final round, which will likely be the last weekend of August against the Giants.

The date and time of the Giants clash will be decided in the weeks leading up to the contest as per the AFL policy of leaving the last few rounds open ended. Bulldogs chief executive officer Ameet Bains said the club was excited by a fixture that he said had plenty to offer for Bulldogs members and fans. "We're really pleased with both the football and commercial outcomes of the 2024 fixture and welcome the connection with our Victorian members through the opening three rounds," Bains said. "The fixture is bookended by games in Ballarat in Rounds 2 and 24, following on from a successful pair of games in 2023, with a record of number of attendees cheering on the club at Mars Stadium. Our fans generally turned out in strong numbers this season, eclipsing the 40,000 mark on three occasions at Marvel Stadium and we expect this fixture to provide the same level of excitement."

The return of the Giants will be a great way for Ballarat fans to cheer on the Bulldogs as they search for what is hoped to be a finals place next season. The rivalry is immense, with the Giants playing just their second game at Mars Stadium this season. That day they came from behind to win a club-record seventh consecutive game on the way to a preliminary final berth. The Suns have been a regular staple in Ballarat, having played three previous matches at Mars Stadium, with their one win coming against the Giants by one point during lockdowns in 2021.

 

[lachy]

Went to both games last season think I will go to Libbas pub or from the comfort of home this year. Would sooner go interstate than to the Rat. Hope the government are still tipping in big

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[Freshwater]

When the great Bulldogs-Giants rivalry will return to Mars Stadium​

The Western Bulldogs are set to face the Gold Coast Suns, and their great rivals GWS Giants, at Mars Stadium next season after the release of the AFL fixture for 2024 on Thursday afternoon. The AFL has avoided the dead of winter in Ballarat, with matches scheduled for 1pm, Sunday, March 24 against the Suns and in the final round, which will likely be the last weekend of August against the Giants.

The date and time of the Giants clash will be decided in the weeks leading up to the contest as per the AFL policy of leaving the last few rounds open ended. Bulldogs chief executive officer Ameet Bains said the club was excited by a fixture that he said had plenty to offer for Bulldogs members and fans. "We're really pleased with both the football and commercial outcomes of the 2024 fixture and welcome the connection with our Victorian members through the opening three rounds," Bains said. "The fixture is bookended by games in Ballarat in Rounds 2 and 24, following on from a successful pair of games in 2023, with a record of number of attendees cheering on the club at Mars Stadium. Our fans generally turned out in strong numbers this season, eclipsing the 40,000 mark on three occasions at Marvel Stadium and we expect this fixture to provide the same level of excitement."

The return of the Giants will be a great way for Ballarat fans to cheer on the Bulldogs as they search for what is hoped to be a finals place next season. The rivalry is immense, with the Giants playing just their second game at Mars Stadium this season. That day they came from behind to win a club-record seventh consecutive game on the way to a preliminary final berth. The Suns have been a regular staple in Ballarat, having played three previous matches at Mars Stadium, with their one win coming against the Giants by one point during lockdowns in 2021.

Happy with Ballarat but round 2 is much too early. Our members need a few home games first before Ballarat. The last few years we’ve had great weather in April and May there, we didn’t need a March game there.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

First time without an SA team.

 

[LondonBulldog]

You need to get all the supporters on board and signed up early so round 2 should have been at Marvel.

I'll still go, yet to be honest, its become a pain and the sooner they knock Ballarat on the head the better. Much prefer Marvel and we have never been given any stats to prove the people of Ballarat even support this. I see the same faces in the crowd I would see at Marvel. So essentially your just forcing the die hards to travel.

 

[Roogal]

Happy with Ballarat but round 2 is much too early. Our members need a few home games first before Ballarat. The last few years we’ve had great weather in April and May there, we didn’t need a March game there.

The first game would hopefully be a relatively soft game against the Suns (although they are improving considerably), but the Dogs do have a good record against the Suns. Certainly the weather in Ballarat is normally very good in March and into early April so the conditions will play more favourably, particularly as we are likely to be coming off what is forecasted to be a long and dry Summer. The last game of the H&A season against the Giants will be more interesting, particularly if the Giants are as competitive next year. That round may well see again four teams battling for the number eight spot on the ladder and depending upon where the Dogs and Giants are sitting on the ladder by that stage, it could be a finals defining match that determines where the Dogs will place in the final eight (Yes I'm predicting that the Dogs will make the eight).

I think that it was a pretty good draw result, as it certainly beats playing in Ballarat in mid-May and late-July. At least it allows the club to bookend both ends of their season with Ballarat and concentrate on their home games being continuously scheduled throughout the remainder of the season at Marvel.

At least Ballarat next year, there is somewhere nearby now to go for a drink and to get some eats with the new ten-pin bowling alley and entertainment complex soon to open on the corner of Norman Street and Creswick Road only a short 400 metre walk to the stadium:

 

[Roogal]

First time without an SA team.

Well they have to mix it up a little. In 2025 it will probably be Port or the Crows and Brisbane.

 

[Roogal]

You need to get all the supporters on board and signed up early so round 2 should have been at Marvel.

I'll still go, yet to be honest, its become a pain and the sooner they knock Ballarat on the head the better. Much prefer Marvel and we have never been given any stats to prove the people of Ballarat even support this. I see the same faces in the crowd I would see at Marvel. So essentially your just forcing the die hards to travel.

2023 was essentially the fifth season in Ballarat (with crowds allowed). The broader mood is positive and there was a strong positive reaction by supporters to the recent stadium upgrades that were done during the pandemic when full crowds were allowed back for the 2022 season. Nobody is expecting any serious announcements on the next major upgrade until at least next year's State Budget. 2025 will likely be when you will see the next round of significant upgrading in Ballarat begin (12-18 months out before the next State election). The State Government have lost a lot of credibility in the country by cancelling the Comm Games and each of the major regional cities will hold the government to their word of delivering the facility upgrades that they promised. Nobody is more aware of that than the State Member for East Bendigo (The Premier herself). To put it kindly, they have a lot of promises to make good on by the November 2026 State election.

Anybody of influence in Ballarat is advocating for the construction of the train station adjacent to Mars (Eureka) Stadium and are insisting that the promised construction of an international standard level 1 athletics competition field at the old Showgrounds and the expansion of Mars Stadium to 16,000 must be accompanied by a vital piece of public transport infrastructure. i.e. The Events Platform at Mars Stadium.

I maintain to all of those who insist that the Western Bulldogs should play all of their home games in Melbourne that you need to get a grip of reality. Your team is not an AFL powerhouse. It's not a Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton or Essendon. Like all of the smaller teams in Melbourne (Saint Kilda, North Melbourne and Melbourne) the Bulldogs have to sell two or three home games per season in order to make money. The reality for the Bulldogs is that you have been blessed by not having to sell your games interstate where there is significant travel and accommodation expense for those "Die Hards" who commit to travel. Your "Die Hards" only have to travel an hour and a half out of Melbourne twice a year and can do so very easily with little expense by either car or train. As a North Melbourne supporter I honestly wish that I had your dilemma. Your "Die Hards" aren't paying expensive air fares or hotel/motel fees to see the two home games that you aren't playing in Melbourne. Heavens, our club plays three, sometimes four home games in Hobart every season. At most we only get to see eight home games in Melbourne every season, and most of those are at damn 5 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon. Trust me, if you think that you're getting a raw deal, you have nothing at all to whine about.

Consider, it could be a damn sight worse. Think instead about how lucky your club is.

Anyway, enough said on that. I wish all forumers here a happy, safe and prosperous new year. I wish your team every on field success (Except against my team ) and I look forward to engaging with you all throughout 2024.

Peace and love everyone Roogal

 

[dogwatch]

Thanks Roogal. Some whingers are going to whinge no matter where we play.

Most supporters would understand the reality that "big clubs" get to play where they want (mostly at the MCG) and "small clubs" have to sell their arses to the highest bidder (well at least for a couple of games a year). With the AFL acting as the official pimp.

I suspect some of the dissatisfaction has now moved on to the membership packaging and lack of compensation games for any games that are played in Ballarat. They have some basis for grumbling about that, especially with the limited Mars capacity. It's not Ballarat's fault that the club chooses to package it like that.

 

[Freshwater]

Th

2023 was essentially the fifth season in Ballarat (with crowds allowed). The broader mood is positive and there was a strong positive reaction by supporters to the recent stadium upgrades that were done during the pandemic when full crowds were allowed back for the 2022 season. Nobody is expecting any serious announcements on the next major upgrade until at least next year's State Budget. 2025 will likely be when you will see the next round of significant upgrading in Ballarat begin (12-18 months out before the next State election). The State Government have lost a lot of credibility in the country by cancelling the Comm Games and each of the major regional cities will hold the government to their word of delivering the facility upgrades that they promised. Nobody is more aware of that than the State Member for East Bendigo (The Premier herself). To put it kindly, they have a lot of promises to make good on by the November 2026 State election.

Anybody of influence in Ballarat is advocating for the construction of the train station adjacent to Mars (Eureka) Stadium and are insisting that the promised construction of an international standard level 1 athletics competition field at the old Showgrounds and the expansion of Mars Stadium to 16,000 must be accompanied by a vital piece of public transport infrastructure. i.e. The Events Platform at Mars Stadium.

I maintain to all of those who insist that the Western Bulldogs should play all of their home games in Melbourne that you need to get a grip of reality. Your team is not an AFL powerhouse. It's not a Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton or Essendon. Like all of the smaller teams in Melbourne (Saint Kilda, North Melbourne and Melbourne) the Bulldogs have to sell two or three home games per season in order to make money. The reality for the Bulldogs is that you have been blessed by not having to sell your games interstate where there is significant travel and accommodation expense for those "Die Hards" who commit to travel. Your "Die Hards" only have to travel an hour and a half out of Melbourne twice a year and can do so by easily with little expense car or train. As a North Melbourne supporter I honestly wish that I had your problem. Your "Die Hards" aren't paying expensive air fares or hotel/motel fees to see the two home games that you aren't playing in Melbourne. Heavens, our club plays three, sometimes four home games in bloody Hobart every season. At most we only get to see eight home games in Melbourne every season, and most of those are at bloody 5 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon. Trust me, you lot have nothing at all to whinge about.

Consider, it could be a damn sight worse. Think instead about how lucky your club is.

Anyway, enough said on that. I wish all forumers here a happy, safe and prosperous new year. I wish your team every on field success (Except against my team ) and I look forward to engaging with you all throughout 2024.

Peace and love everyone Roogal

Thanks Roogal. Your argument stands up 100% that surely Ballarat is better than interstate, those with any sense have been arguing this for years now. Different story if it’s against games at Marvel and I get the arguments on either side. I personally think we should have the long term vision to stay in Ballarat. I actually think it’s one of the main reasons we continue with our new name of ‘Western’ instead of Footscray. The regions are growing, think of Geelong 25 years back, they were about to shut the joint down and move to the MCG. Ballarat won’t quite grow that fast but has a mighty future. Geelong has got their stadium built by us the taxpayers so I reckon Ballarat should ask for a similar type of deal.

 

[LondonBulldog]

2023 was essentially the fifth season in Ballarat (with crowds allowed). The broader mood is positive and there was a strong positive reaction by supporters to the recent stadium upgrades that were done during the pandemic when full crowds were allowed back for the 2022 season. Nobody is expecting any serious announcements on the next major upgrade until at least next year's State Budget. 2025 will likely be when you will see the next round of significant upgrading in Ballarat begin (12-18 months out before the next State election). The State Government have lost a lot of credibility in the country by cancelling the Comm Games and each of the major regional cities will hold the government to their word of delivering the facility upgrades that they promised. Nobody is more aware of that than the State Member for East Bendigo (The Premier herself). To put it kindly, they have a lot of promises to make good on by the November 2026 State election.

Anybody of influence in Ballarat is advocating for the construction of the train station adjacent to Mars (Eureka) Stadium and are insisting that the promised construction of an international standard level 1 athletics competition field at the old Showgrounds and the expansion of Mars Stadium to 16,000 must be accompanied by a vital piece of public transport infrastructure. i.e. The Events Platform at Mars Stadium.

I maintain to all of those who insist that the Western Bulldogs should play all of their home games in Melbourne that you need to get a grip of reality. Your team is not an AFL powerhouse. It's not a Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton or Essendon. Like all of the smaller teams in Melbourne (Saint Kilda, North Melbourne and Melbourne) the Bulldogs have to sell two or three home games per season in order to make money. The reality for the Bulldogs is that you have been blessed by not having to sell your games interstate where there is significant travel and accommodation expense for those "Die Hards" who commit to travel. Your "Die Hards" only have to travel an hour and a half out of Melbourne twice a year and can do so by easily with little expense car or train. As a North Melbourne supporter I honestly wish that I had your problem. Your "Die Hards" aren't paying expensive air fares or hotel/motel fees to see the two home games that you aren't playing in Melbourne. Heavens, our club plays three, sometimes four home games in bloody Hobart every season. At most we only get to see eight home games in Melbourne every season, and most of those are at bloody 5 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon. Trust me, you lot have nothing at all to whinge about.

Consider, it could be a damn sight worse. Think instead about how lucky your club is.

Anyway, enough said on that. I wish all forumers here a happy, safe and prosperous new year. I wish your team every on field success (Except against my team ) and I look forward to engaging with you all throughout 2024.

Peace and love everyone Roogal

That's all well and good, yet we never get any information on how Ballarat has grown our membership? Surely if you follow the dogs in Ballarat you can get the vline to Marvel. I do it from Torquay.

As a current member gold level reserved seats, I know after covid, I lost two home games and did not get any replacements.

I do agree I prefer it than playing in Darwin or Canberra and get its a money grab yet the ground needs the capacity increased and this is not confirmed now.

So the question the club should be asking is:

What would get us more long term members. Playing the full 11 home at Marvel (pushing for new members in Tarneit and the growing west etc.) or playing 2 in Ballarat and trying to convert people who already have allegiance to other clubs.

I'll support the club whatever they do, yet for me I would have all at 11 and Marvel (keep building) and just have a pre-season game in Ballarat.

 

[doggies ftw]

That's all well and good, yet we never get any information on how Ballarat has grown our membership? Surely if you follow the dogs in Ballarat you can get the vline to Marvel. I do it from Torquay.

As a current member gold level reserved seats, I know after covid, I lost two home games and did not get any replacements.

I do agree I prefer it than playing in Darwin or Canberra and get its a money grab yet the ground needs the capacity increased and this is not confirmed now.

So the question the club should be asking is:

What would get us more long term members. Playing the full 11 home at Marvel (pushing for new members in Tarneit and the growing west etc.) or playing 2 in Ballarat and trying to convert people who already have allegiance to other clubs.

I'll support the club whatever they do, yet for me I would have all at 11 and Marvel (keep building) and just have a pre-season game in Ballarat.

15k at WO twice a year, rotate the ability to buy tickets to members every season

 

[dogwatch]

15k at WO twice a year, rotate the ability to buy tickets to members every season

It's fun to fantasise but it's not going to happen. The AFL is never going to allow a return to very small capacity suburban grounds, no matter how flash they look after renovations. Not any time soon anyway.

If we are ever going to play 11 home games in Melbourne it's going to have to be at Marvel and/or the G. The only thing that's likely to make that possible is if we go on a St George-like run of premierships (11 Rugby League flags between 1956 and 1966) and create a whole new generation of Bulldog fanatics.

 

[Roogal]

Thanks Roogal. Your argument stands up 100% that surely Ballarat is better than interstate, those with any sense have been arguing this for years now. Different story if it’s against games at Marvel and I get the arguments on either side. I personally think we should have the long term vision to stay in Ballarat. I actually think it’s one of the main reasons we continue with our new name of ‘Western’ instead of Footscray. The regions are growing, think of Geelong 25 years back, they were about to shut the joint down and move to the MCG. Ballarat won’t quite grow that fast but has a mighty future. Geelong has got their stadium built by us the taxpayers so I reckon Ballarat should ask for a similar type of deal.

The fact is that as long as the Bulldogs claim Ballarat then they morally have a legitimate claim to the entire Western Victoria from Melton all the way westward to Horsham encompassing a population sphere of approximately 400,000. To cede Ballarat and withdraw back into Footscray (population 57,000) offers the club zero future growth or expansion potential. To abandon Ballarat re-opens the door to North Melbourne who will be actively looking for a new second home once Tassie shows them the door in 2027. But if the Dogs were silly enough to follow that pathway, I'm sure that many members would be stunned by such a decision.

 

[Freshwater]

The fact is that as long as the Bulldogs claim Ballarat then they morally have a legitimate claim to the entire Western Victoria from Melton all the way westward to Horsham encompassing a population sphere of approximately 400,000. To cede Ballarat and withdraw back into Footscray (population 57,000) offers the club zero future growth or expansion potential. To abandon Ballarat re-opens the door to North Melbourne who will be actively looking for a new second home once Tassie shows them the door in 2027. But if the Dogs were silly enough to follow that pathway, I'm sure that many members would be stunned by such a decision.

Super post! Even if the naysayers don’t turn up, they surely can’t deny the project helps the club long term.

 

[LondonBulldog]

The fact is that as long as the Bulldogs claim Ballarat then they morally have a legitimate claim to the entire Western Victoria from Melton all the way westward to Horsham encompassing a population sphere of approximately 400,000. To cede Ballarat and withdraw back into Footscray (population 57,000) offers the club zero future growth or expansion potential. To abandon Ballarat re-opens the door to North Melbourne who will be actively looking for a new second home once Tassie shows them the door in 2027. But if the Dogs were silly enough to follow that pathway, I'm sure that many members would be stunned by such a decision.

Really, that's crazy logic quoting 57k population in Footscray. What does that matter? Collingwood population is 22k yet we know how big they are.

We don't need to play in Ballarat to represent the greater west. Its like suggesting St Kilda need to play games in Seaford or Carlton and Collingwood should be playing games North of Melbourne.