
SharkMeister4
Senior List
- May 18, 2016
- 233
- 397
- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
Absolutely agree, having an easily day trippable road trip there and back is far superior to cairns darwin and hobart and canberra, and seemingly lands us in a better financial position. Yknow you're pretty switched on for a North fan?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![]()