What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread

[ossie_21]

I think that the naming of the VFL side has increased the possibility that one day the AFL team will revert to Footscray as well. That might be a way off, but it could conceivably happen. That would make old campaigners like you pretty happy I'm sure.

Not sure if calling him actual campaigner....or word filtered campaigner

 

[Mutt]

Not sure if calling him actual campaigner....or word filtered campaigner

Actual campaigner and in the most positive of senses.

SonOfScray and I had a couple of stoushes about this a few years ago and he has always been strident about wanting the full restoration of Footscray as the trading name of the club, replacing Western Bulldogs.

SOS was always respectful and stuck to arguing the merits of his case and I really came to admire him for that. Not your usual internet shitfight - he wouldn't stoop that low (me on the otherhand....especially over on the Essendon Doping Board...)

Over time, I have mellowed in my opposition to the point where I reckon I would not oppose any move to revert. In fact, sometimes I even agree with him.

Sorry for the meandering story...I like it when someone can make me think about a strongly held view and can then change my mind. Takes some talent.

 

[SonOfScray]

I think that the naming of the VFL side has increased the possibility that one day the AFL team will revert to Footscray as well. That might be a way off, but it could conceivably happen. That would make old campaigners like you pretty happy I'm sure.

It could be a catalyst. Look at the Swans GF victories and how quick "South" and "The Bloods" entered their narrative again.

I've been pretty good at not harping on about it these days, because we have the name back in the lexicon of the Club's day to day life, have honoured tradition with the jumper and still formally exist as the FFC. Changing the AFL team's name back would be my ideal scenario and has plenty of merit but it'll have to wait until our leadership come to see it that way as well. Until then I'm happy to do as I see fit and call the Club Footscray on game day and on here, social media and any banners I make.

 

[SonOfScray]

Cheers Mutt, appreciate your comments. Love places like this for the opportunity to discuss the Club and learn what it mean to us through those very same conversations.

 

[Mutt]

It could be a catalyst. Look at the Swans GF victories and how quick "South" and "The Bloods" entered their narrative again.

I've been pretty good at not harping on about it these days, because we have the name back in the lexicon of the Club's day to day life, have honoured tradition with the jumper and still formally exist as the FFC. Changing the AFL team's name back would be my ideal scenario and has plenty of merit but it'll have to wait until our leadership come to see it that way as well. Until then I'm happy to do as I see fit and call the Club Footscray on game day and on here, social media and any banners I make.

If Footscray Bulldogs are successful in the VFL and maybe even win a flag the groundswell will grow. It's a good point you make about the Sydney "Bloods" and harking back to the "blood stained angels" to help reinforce and strengthen their culture. I could see something like that working for us and I wouldn't be surprised if the notion might appeal to Peter Gordon somewhere down the track.

 

[bazzadog]

To be honest i prefer to keep the name "Western Bulldogs"

 

[Mutt]

Cheers Mutt, appreciate your comments. Love places like this for the opportunity to discuss the Club and learn what it mean to us through those very same conversations.

Likewise mate.

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

I'm not too fussed as to whether we stay or go back but as long as we're called the Western Bulldogs, the Footscray name will always linger in the back of my mind.
I'll go from hearing all the relatives and older friends refer to them as Footscray to calling them as such myself and drawing a blank look from younger people closer to my own age (18).
I have to admit, I've swayed towards the Footscray side of the discussion - we'll still be investing heavily in the west through the men's health initiative, school/Auskick clinics and membership drives, we can reconnect with older generations, define ourselves geographically and have a strong brand in another avenue - we're still the 'Doggies', everyone's second team, but we're also Footscray, the 130+ year old blue collar club from Melbourne's west.

Like I said though, I'm not too fussed. I think it'd be a positive move and I'd put money on it happening at some point, but I'm happy for the club to remain as the Western Bulldogs.

 

[bazzadog]

I'm not too fussed as to whether we stay or go back but as long as we're called the Western Bulldogs, the Footscray name will always linger in the back of my mind.
I'll go from hearing all the relatives and older friends refer to them as Footscray to calling them as such myself and drawing a blank look from younger people closer to my own age (18).
I have to admit, I've swayed towards the Footscray side of the discussion - we'll still be investing heavily in the west through the men's health initiative, school/Auskick clinics and membership drives, we can reconnect with older generations, define ourselves geographically and have a strong brand in another avenue - we're still the 'Doggies', everyone's second team, but we're also Footscray, the 130+ year old blue collar club from Melbourne's west.

Like I said though, I'm not too fussed. I think it'd be a positive move and I'd put money on it happening at some point, but I'm happy for the club to remain as the Western Bulldogs.

My thoughts exactly its mostly the older generation of supporters who want the name change

 

[Mutt]

To be honest i prefer to keep the name "Western Bulldogs"

That's ok too bazzadog - I think we'll still have it for a while yet. As long as we can talk it over without turning all Richmond (or sack McCartney thread) about it, the club will be the better for it whatever decision is made.

 

[Sentinel]

I'm of the opinion that the name Western should stay, but I'd love for the song to revert back to 'Sons of the 'Scray'.

We can be the Western Bulldogs but still refer to our roots this way, given the club was born out of Footscray, Sons of the 'Scray makes sense. IMO its a great way of acknowledging the past, like the jumper, without holding back where the club's direction is focused.

 

[Scary_Foot_9]

We are officially called the Footscray Football Club anyway. I don't think I've ever called us the Western Bulldogs, I think. it's always been the Doggies or the Dogs and will even if we changed back. I think it would be kind of cool if it went back because it was the name we won our VFA flags and one VFL flag under, just like I enjoy the hoops. Either way we will always represent Melbourne's west.

 

[Next Waiting]

I think it'll happen at the end of 2017 for the 2018 season. Footscray may well have won a VFL flag again by then and the seniors will be a top 4 team expected to be a genuine flag contender in 2018. Our midfield will be feared across the competition and we'll already have acquired an A Grade KPF and KPD in the interim. Footscray will be an easy sell as the fairy tale beckons and fronkalicious opens his cheque book at the Edgewater Club for Tutty's 100th game.

 

[the dog's kennel]

I'm of the opinion that the name Western should stay, but I'd love for the song to revert back to 'Sons of the 'Scray'.

We can be the Western Bulldogs but still refer to our roots this way, given the club was born out of Footscray, Sons of the 'Scray makes sense. IMO its a great way of acknowledging the past, like the jumper, without holding back where the club's direction is focused.

I agree with this completely. Much prefer "Western Bulldogs" to "Footscray Bulldogs", but think that's a good way of acknowledging the club's heritage.

I have a suspicion my antipathy towards the Footscray name is because I'm not from Melbourne. The name "Footscray" sounds odd and means little to my Sydney ears. By contrast anyone (on the East coast) can empathise with the concept of the western suburbs. I wonder if the Melbourne/non-Melbourne divide reflects the Footscray/Western Bulldogs divide.

 

[ivan rassmussen]

I have never, ever, referred to my team as the "Western" Bulldogs.

Dogs, Bulldogs, occasionally even 'Scray or Footscray at the footy.

Western is an adjective, not a proper noun, and I have never been able to find "Western" on a map.

 

[Chicago1]

My thoughts exactly its mostly the older generation of supporters who want the name change

Not this one. On every forum except this one I use a variation of "Western Bulldogs" as my nic. I'm too old and too ornery to change it. So there.

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

Sliding Doors indeed.

 

[Dale4captain]

Sliding Doors indeed.
View attachment 64375

fantastic journalism once again. Riveting stuff

 

[AlwaysFootscay]

My thoughts exactly its mostly the older generation of supporters who want the name change

Sorry to disagree but i have been handing out footscray car stickers on game day for the past 2 years( about 2,500 of them ) and the the most positive reaction has been from young supporters 20 to 35 age group. A small sample i know but interesting.

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

Sorry to disagree but i have been handing out footscray car stickers on game day for the past 2 years( about 2,500 of them ) and the the most positive reaction has been from young supporters 20 to 35 age group. A small sample i know but interesting.

Opinions differ even between age groups. I'm 18 and I'm leaning on the fence in the Footscray camp, and my Dad's been following the Dogs for 48 years and he's firmly in the Western Bulldogs camp, and while he wouldn't care if they changed back, he wouldn't necessarily agree with it.

I'll have to see what my Pa (77 - he's seen a Footscray flag!) thinks about it when I see him on Sunday.

 

[cleveland]

Sorry to disagree but i have been handing out footscray car stickers on game day for the past 2 years( about 2,500 of them ) and the the most positive reaction has been from young supporters 20 to 35 age group. A small sample i know but interesting.

Can I have one? Please

 

[AlwaysFootscay]

Can I have one? Please

Not able to get to game on sunday, but give me an address and i will send you a couple , otherwise going to next home game against the suns and will let you know when and where i will be.

 

[Dogs Rule]

Not able to get to game on sunday, but give me an address and i will send you a couple , otherwise going to next home game against the suns and will let you know when and where i will be.

That would be fantastic. I'd love to come by and grab one as well.

 

[Pannalstaroz]

I have never, ever, referred to my team as the "Western" Bulldogs.

Dogs, Bulldogs, occasionally even 'Scray or Footscray at the footy.

Western is an adjective, not a proper noun, and I have never been able to find "Western" on a map.

I had real trouble finding Greater Western Sydney on the map too.

 

[Next Waiting]

Sliding Doors indeed.
View attachment 64375