Western Bulldogs

Spluttering on the smell of an oily rag

The Western Bulldogs were initially known as the Footscray Imperials. Although Footscray wasn't quite as middle-class as neighbouring Essendon, it was relatively more affluent than Melbourne's toilet otherwise known as Collingwood.

These days, the worm has turned. Collingwood has found some affluence and the the club formerly known as Footscray has become the battlers. So much so, they have changed their name to escape the associations.

On welfare and on the move

The Footscray Football Club was established in 1883 and named the "Imperials" in tribute to the British Royal Family. They were later called the "Tricolours" due to their patriotic colours of red, white and blue.

For a number of reasons, Footscray was not invited to join the VFL breakaway in 1896. In the VFA, Footscray won 8 premierships. After winning the premiership in 1924, Footscray played Essendon, the VFL premier, in the socalled ''Championship of Victoria''. Foootscray won by 26 points. The victory led to Footscray receiving an invitation to join the VFL the following year.

In 1938, they changed their name from "Tri-colours" to the "Bulldogs" after a Bulldog accidently led them onto the field. In 1954 they won their first and only VFL premiership.

In the 1970s, as the inner city suburbs of Collingwood and Carlton began to be gentrified with an influx of yuppies, Footscray got an influx of Vietnamese refugees with no interest in football. Of course immigration to Melbourne is not new however for some reason, Footscray was unable to tap the migrant's psyche as effectively as other VFL clubs. The club's failure came as a surprise as it shared many associations with the region's population. Just as local residents were familiar with welfare, so were the Bulldogs. In fact, had it not been for the generosity of other clubs, the Bulldogs would have gone under. Likewise, just like the migrant population of Footscray was accustomed to a change of scenery, so were the Bulldogs. They played "home" gamed all over Australia.

In 1996, the club responded to the lack of local support by changing its name to the "Western Bulldogs". The name change was done in the hope that the Bulldogs could represent suburbs outside of the Footscray demographic. It also tried to build a very un-Footscray like image in its communications with the public. Rather accept its battler and dole bludging status, the Bulldogs tried to convince the football world that it was a "sleek and modern unit ". 

Unfortunately, its actions are speaking louder than its words. On the field, the club continues to play like battlers; raising to the occasion when a tall poppy club needs to be cut down or when their backs are against the wall only to then fail against the middle of the road teams. Off the field, the club's financial plight has it scragging to survive from year to year. Despite a host of innovations aimed at realising success, all they have done so far is alienate loyal supporters. Consequently, although it wishes to be seen as a slick, well-oiled machine, the image of a club spluttering on the smell of an oily rag is proving difficult to break.

Roy Morgan research

Western Bulldogs supporters are:

2001 when compared to other Australians

 

• 27% more likely than the average person to be in the lowest (FG) socio-economic group;
• 34% more likely than the average person to vote for the ALP;
• 38% more likely to smoke cigarettes;
• 19% more likely to say they were "born to shop".

 

2004 when compared to other AFL supporters

• 30% more likely to be semi-skilled workers
• 25% more likely to live in a household of five or more people
• 70% more likely to prefer bright lights and big cities when they travel
• 53% more likely to believe they were born to shop
• 51% more likely to have been to a theme park
• 21% more likely to enjoy buying magazines
• 16% more likely to not trust the current Australian government

 

2006 when compared to other AFL supporters

• 20% more likely to believe it's important to look fashionable 
• 31% more likely to believe there were born to shop
• 25% more likely to try to buy organic food whenever they can
• 24% more likely to have travelled by bus in the last three months

Club song western bulldogs theme song

Sons of the West

Red,white and blue

We come out snarling

Bulldogs through and through

Bulldogs bite and bulldogs roar

We give our very best

But you can't beat the boys

of the Bulldog breed

We're the team of the mighty West

Rivalries

Historically, the Western Bulldogs have been too hopeless to have a rivalry. However in recent times, they have become like a yappy dog which is ignored as a non-threat. The dog bites onto the leg and proves to be quite persistent and formidable until eventually it is sent packing. Sydney, Richmond and Essendon have all found that the Bulldogs have risen to the occasion to the extent they have become annoying. As the level of annoyance has risen, so too has the desire to see the dogs fail. 

Perhaps Essendon may be a potential rival. The two compete for the same fans of western Melbourne. Furthermore, it was due to the defeat of Essendon that Footscray came into existence.

Western bulldogs jokes

1)What do you say to a Bulldogs fan that has a job?
"Can I have a Big Mac and medium fries, please?"

2)Why can't Bulldogs supporters get a drink at the Whitten Oval?
Because all the cups are at Windy Hill and the mugs are playing footy

3) A Footscray fan took his bulldog to the pub and was enjoying a few beers until the footy scores appeared on the TV. When it was announced that the Bulldogs had lost, the dog went mad, knocking over tables and snapping at other drinkers. "What's got into your dog?" asked the barman. "He just can't handle it when Footscray is beaten" explained the fan. "Geez, what does he do when they win?" "Don't know. I've only had him for two seasons.".co

4) Rodney Eade, the coach of the Western Bulldogs, hears of new young recruit who lives in Bosnia. Eade catches a plane to war torn Bosnia and tracks the young boy down. He risks life and limb dodging bombs, bullets and grenades but finally find him and convince him to come to Australia.

The boy does a full pre-season,plays all the practice matches and gets picked on the bench in the seniors for the first game of the year. Ten minutes into the first quarter, Chris Grant goes down with a severe knee injury. Eade turns to the boy and says "This is it son, go to centre half forward and show us what you can do."

The boy proceeds to play the greatest debut game in AFL history. He kicks 9 goals, takes mark of the year, and kicks the winning goal after the siren from outside 50. The Western Bulldogs chair him off the ground and give him three cheers back in the rooms.

Eade tells the team what the boy from Bosnia has been through and that he is a model lesson for all. Eade then pulls the boy aside and says "Go into my office son, ring your Mother and tell her what you did today". He proceeds to do so.

"Mum", he says down the phone, "Guess what I did today? "I don't care what you did today his Mother replies. "I tell you what happened here today", she goes on. "Your Dad was murdered, our house torched, our car blown up, your sister raped and your brother abducted." "Gee," says the boy. "I feel a bit responsible for what happened". The Mother replies "So you should be. If it wasn't for you we wouldn't have shifted to Footscray."

ctcreations.com

Western Bulldogs as a wine

Dogbreath Grappa:
This bottle of wine is best used for belting someone over the head with while they are not looking. More a weapon than a wine.

IconS

• Ted Whitten - Tough rover who was not afraid to let a stray fist hit an opponent in the face. His own face also seemed to have bear an uncanny resemblance to a Bulldog.
• Simon Beasely - Although the Bulldogs never had any hope of winning the flag, Beasely's performances in front of goal in the 80s at least ensured they made some headlines.
• Doug Hawkins - Amassed a club record of games 329 games. Was asked to retire but left to play a final year with Fitzroy.

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