What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 3

[flipper83]

Hunter.

I recall Stringer saying in 2015 that he did his whole preseason with Hunter and went through a few pairs of runners.

Left them behind sneaking out windows

 

[Whoyagot]

The best time to support a footy club is when you're on an upward trajectory. Even if you win 8 games for the year, if you only won 4 the previous year then you're reasonably happy. It's difficult to be moving in the other direction and feel okay about it. We made a GF last year, we were as close to the ultimate success as you can get without actually achieving it. After 6 rounds we are probably something like a 0.05% chance of making the top four or winning a flag (we would realistically need to win 14 of our next 16 games). There's no doubt that we have gone backwards as a collective. If anyone wants to hold out hope for a miraculous turnaround then that's their decision and it's not for anyone else to judge. But personally I try to keep realistic expectations because I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than let down.

It's tough to stomach the years in which your club takes a step backwards. Especially when it happens so early in the season that the outcomes of our games will lose a lot of their significance pretty quickly. At that point what are you even hoping for? For me I'll just be looking for signs that we can bounce back next year. A lot of that will be in watching the young players. Even if we are a mathematically impossibility of making finals, we could still derive some pleasure from seeing JUH kick six or Arthur Jones getting a rising star nomination. Maybe seeing Bruce back later in the year and building back some form to set himself up for a big 2023. Maybe even a Sam Darcy debut. I hope we can enjoy at least a few nice moments over the course of this season.

How shit is is that though after the experience of last year. It was so obvious we’d regressed this preseason and to be where we are now so early in the season is such a shame as you said.

I remember so many of the players doing media over the summer saying they just had to go one better this year. Absolutely wrong philosophy, you’re back to square one and have to put in an insane effort to make a grand final again. Even talks of top 4 were pissed down the drain after the carlton loss.

It burns even more seeing the likes of Melbourne completely dominate the year when for parts of last year we looked like we could really take it up to them. The comparison in fitness of us and Melbourne is insane as well. Problem is that the fan base and the football department are too lethargic to address it and unfortunately I’m with them.

 

[maddog37]

The only way I am going to enjoy the footy this year is to alter my expectations and treat any win as a bonus.

All the angst of win or no fun defeats the purpose of going to games.

 

[dergert]

I can just see us needing to win the last 4-5 games to limp into finals.

 

[footscray1973]

So we're back to accepting mediocrity again? Oh well, not like we're new to it.

Hope we can at least get a good first round draft pick, we need more quality inside mids.

 

[immortalmike]

Yep this is different to Stage 2B works (Whitten Stand redevelopment, broadcast lights, matchday pavilion, etc, etc) which has already been fully funded by the State Government and the club respectively. It was actually announced in late March but today was the photo op.

Bulldogs welcome Federal Government funding commitment

The Western Bulldogs have today welcomed the Federal Government’s budget commitment of $15 million to enable the Club to deliver its full vision for the redevelopment of its Victoria University Whitten Oval home.

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Frydenberg can suck my big toe.
And the club can kiss my arse for agreeing to this bullshit publicity stunt before an election. We are a working class club with working class values.

Josh probably needed Google maps to find the ****ing place.

Could not be more disillusioned with the leadership on and off the field for the club. Wouldn't have happened with Gordon in charge.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I’m ready to start tipping against us, just to pick up points in my tipping comp

 

[Mofra]

Stringer literally came out a couple of months ago and said he hadn't run over 2km in years. Absolutely baffling.

There isn't a need for steady-state runs when you're training for repeat max efforts.
I vomited a few years back trying to replicate an old Swans running session and the longest distances as part of that session were a pair of 750m runs back to back (1 minute rests) - pyramiding up from 150m and back down again.

 

[maddog37]

So we're back to accepting mediocrity again? Oh well, not like we're new to it.

Hope we can at least get a good first round draft pick, we need more quality inside mids.

View attachment 1385252

If accepting mediocrity means staying sane then I’m in.

 

[dogwatch]

There isn't a need for steady-state runs when you're training for repeat max efforts.
I vomited a few years back trying to replicate an old Swans running session and the longest distances as part of that session were a pair of 750m runs back to back (1 minute rests) - pyramiding up from 150m and back down again.

I nearly vomited just thinking about it.

 

[Prince Imperial]

Frydenberg can suck my big toe.
And the club can kiss my arse for agreeing to this bullshit publicity stunt before an election. We are a working class club with working class values.

Josh probably needed Google maps to find the ******* place.

Could not be more disillusioned with the leadership on and off the field for the club. Wouldn't have happened with Gordon in charge.

Except this did happen under Gordon who is far more pragmatic than what you think. Two months before the state election in 2014, Country Party Sports Minister Damian Drum attended the Whitten Oval to promote the state government's funding of upgrades to the venue.

I'm no fan of the Tories myself, but as a member I expect our club leaders to do what is necessary for the long term benefit of our club which means attracting support from both sides of politics for our programs and facilities.

Bulldogs Media | Western Bulldogs

Watch the latest videos from the Western Bulldogs

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

 

[Mr. Walker]

Frydenberg can suck my big toe.
And the club can kiss my arse for agreeing to this bullshit publicity stunt before an election. We are a working class club with working class values.

Josh probably needed Google maps to find the ******* place.

Could not be more disillusioned with the leadership on and off the field for the club. Wouldn't have happened with Gordon in charge.

I normally like your posts even the ones I disagree with but this one is nonsensical. To argue the club should not accept the money is based on what? Ethics? Is it stolen money? No. Inappropriate use of public money? Is it for jobs for the boys or lining the pockets of mates? No. Is it plain old political bias on your part? We have a winner.
This is taxpayer funds to be used to better the lives of local community members. Taxpayer money paid by, umm, people like us.
The club did the right thing accepting the money. If you know of a valid reason they shouldn’t have please share it.

 

[Oliver G]

Frydenberg can suck my big toe.
And the club can kiss my arse for agreeing to this bullshit publicity stunt before an election. We are a working class club with working class values.

Josh probably needed Google maps to find the ******* place.

Could not be more disillusioned with the leadership on and off the field for the club. Wouldn't have happened with Gordon in charge.

Although I agree with your assessment of Frydenberg and his cronies, no sports club is ever going to turn down funding regardless of who is in government.

Our 2005 redevelopment was partially funded by both Federal ($8m) and State governments ($3m) and the same goes this time around, although this time the State has provided significantly more ($36m+) than the Federal ($15m).

 

[Philthy1]

Frydenberg can suck my big toe.
And the club can kiss my arse for agreeing to this bullshit publicity stunt before an election. We are a working class club with working class values.

Josh probably needed Google maps to find the ******* place.

Could not be more disillusioned with the leadership on and off the field for the club. Wouldn't have happened with Gordon in charge.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Especially when it's both our tax dollars paying for this and it is for our benefit. Take the leg up while it's on offer.

 

[NBates]

The underperformance of our midfield is a real head scratcher - as too is our historical ability to back up any semblance of on-field success. The view that we are lethargic, look demotivated and are simply not working hard enough - all of which are undoubtedly true - can only be attributed to Bevo and the coaching team to a point. My main concern is...who is driving individual standards? Mental toughness and competitive drive is a huge part of elite level sport, so who of our players - particularly our most talented ones - are looking at the slop we've been dishing up and saying, "No way, not on my watch."

I have no way of answering that question, but find it instructive to remember Jason Akermanis's observation about his early days at the kennel - that Moz was the only player in the group with the obsessive professionalism and drive to do what it takes to really succeed. Fast forward a decade...who is our Moz?

Tom Boyd speaks very candidly about his own lack of motivation to maintain elite level standards - hence his departure from the AFL. He was not a competitive beast, by his own admission. Who ARE our competitive beasts? Naughts? Libba? Do we have enough of them? I worry that Bev seemingly has to spin a narrative out of his backside every year to apparently inspire the type of efforts which should be a prerequisite at this level. If our standards and will to succeed are really that conditional, then its time to prioritise competitive instincts and leadership qualities during the draft and trade period.

As a mug punter in the stands, I just want to see more evidence of personal responsibility from the players. Insane repeat efforts. Bone crunching tackles. I would like to see them get sh1tty once in a while - with themselves and even with each other. Our underperformance is not just down to injuries. Our entire midfield is available, and that is where we are being smashed by much less celebrated opposition. At the moment, it looks for all the world that we are easy to predict and easy to play against. We are meek, nice and lost for answers. Did I hear somebody say, "Not on MY watch?!"

While his form is not 100% at the moment (and I put that down to a few niggles), Bont at least leads by example on & off field. The worry I have is that some experienced players aren't taking the example set seriously. Whether Bevo's mantra of "we're a tight knit group" "we have each others back" etc works both down and up the hierarchy of the team worries me. I could say more, but....that'll do.

 

[immortalmike]

I normally like your posts even the ones I disagree with but this one is nonsensical. To argue the club should not accept the money is based on what? Ethics? Is it stolen money? No. Inappropriate use of public money? Is it for jobs for the boys or lining the pockets of mates? No. Is it plain old political bias on your part? We have a winner.
This is taxpayer funds to be used to better the lives of local community members. Taxpayer money paid by, umm, people like us.
The club did the right thing accepting the money. If you know of a valid reason they shouldn’t have please share it.

What money? This is the same mob that announced a 300 million dollar car park development in early 2019 that has resulted in one car park actually being built in 4 years.

To participate in their charade is beneath our club and to tie our brand to them when they're social capital is so far in the toilet is embarrassing. Just ask the guide dogs.

Even if the money is on the level (unlikely with this group) take it if you must but don't politicise the club two weeks from a vital election in a publicity stunt. And especially with a group that is actively destroying the lives, health and livelihoods of most of our members.

Call it political bias if you wish but I didn't complain when we took money from Howard and probably wouldn't have cared as much if this was last year but I hope the club takes a rightful hit for this.

 

[immortalmike]

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Especially when it's both our tax dollars paying for this and it is for our benefit. Take the leg up while it's on offer.

I'd prefer my tax dollars go to properly funding the NDIS and raising the living standards of those on the jobseeker.

I love the club and always will but not at the expense of the most vulnerable in society especially when I've been there myself. I know this is a bit of a false equivalence however.

 

[Doggy Dan]

Frydenberg can suck my big toe.
And the club can kiss my arse for agreeing to this bullshit publicity stunt before an election. We are a working class club with working class values.

Josh probably needed Google maps to find the ******* place.

Could not be more disillusioned with the leadership on and off the field for the club. Wouldn't have happened with Gordon in charge.

Personally, i’d rather my “football” club be agnostic to politics.

 

[immortalmike]

Personally, i’d rather my “football” club be agnostic to politics.

As would I.

 

[BIG_BONTS]

The club is one of the best in Australia for community outreach. I know a few people personally who have been lifted up by community programs and the volunteering that is offered.

Agree that the redevelopment announcements stinks like politics but that's how these agreements get made. The politicians don't do anything without 'careful' perspection management and brownie points.

Take the money and then kick the bastards out!

 

[Golden_6]

Personally, i’d rather my “football” club be agnostic to politics.

I don’t like Josh as much as the next guy but what do you expect the club to do? Shun the people that are promising to fund the clubs developments? Ban Frydenberg from entering the Whitten Oval?

Unfortunately we need Government funding to realise our plans. There’s no way around avoiding photo ops in these situations.

 

[ScragCity]

Personally, i’d rather my “football” club be agnostic to politics.

We certainly do need to remain non-partisan. That might mean shaking hands with Josh Frydenberg today. It might also mean shaking hands with Jim Chalmers in a few months time. It's not for us to pick and choose. The electorate will decide who is in power, not the Footscray Football Club.

 

[Oliver G]

As would I.

Which it is. Both major parties have either already given us or committed significant funds in the past 24 months.

 

[immortalmike]

Which it is. Both major parties have either already given us or committed significant funds in the past 24 months.

Pretty simple. As I've been saying don't get dragged into bullshit political stunts on the eve of an election. It's basically political advertising. Don't really care about the party. But reserve more scorn for the current incarnation of the libs.

 

[ScragCity]

Pretty simple. As I've been saying don't get dragged into bullshit political stunts on the eve of an election. It's basically political advertising. Don't really care about the party. But reserve more scorn for the current incarnation of the libs.

Fair point, Mike.