A promise that can't be kept?

[footyman]

As much as I admire David Smorgon for his positive attitude, comments like the one below might only have a negative impact in a years time.

“It’s not our intention to talk publicly about those negotiations but I don’t have to tell anybody that Luke Darcy, Nathan Brown, Robert Murphy, Daniel Giansiracusa are loyal Bulldogs and they will be in Bulldogs colors for next year and beyond.”

I think he needs to be careful...he shouldn't make promises he has no control over. Would be much better to say "we will do everything we can to make sure they remain Bulldog players next year".

It's only my opinion and generally I think he handles himself well in the media - he has to as he is the face of the club.

 

[OldSchool]

Agreed

 

[jim440]

Non-issue.

 

[Larry6]

Originally posted by jim440
Non-issue.

Please explain.

 

[jordy23]

its all kool

 

[mel 40]

Hopefully hes right.But i agree with you footyman he shouldn't make promises he has no control over.

 

[jordy23]

yeah i know mel40

 

[Curly5]

I'm afraid it's going to be an issue, the media will make sure it is. It would be better if David didn't make those sorts of statements just yet, it sets up the wrong sort of vibes all around.

 

[jim440]

I can't see what the problem is.

"President wants to keep star players"

Nope. Doesn't sound like a headline to me.

 

[Isdogisgood]

Originally posted by jim440
I can't see what the problem is.

"President wants to keep star players"

Nope. Doesn't sound like a headline to me.

More like 'president promises to keep star players'

 

[bulldogs1]

Its plainly bravado, and I'm sure most fans will accept it as such.

 

[mels]

It will be an issue if they dont sign

 

[Doggiesrule1020]

I hope Smorgan is right and all those boys are playing in the bulldogs red,white and blue next year.But he shouldve said his words more carefully and agree that he shouldnt be making promises that he may not be able to keep.

 

[OldSchool]

Just to keep on the Smorgon theme, If we remember back to the bloodless coup and the name change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs it is was to broaden our appeal to the western region. Given that we only have six western suburbs companies contributing more that $5,000 each with the club I wonder if he would concede that the name change was an error ?

The name change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs really does not concern me but it seems like it put some people off side for no apparent return.

 

[footyman]

Originally posted by OldSchool
Just to keep on the Smorgon theme, If we remember back to the bloodless coup and the name change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs is was to broaden our appeal to the western region. Given that we only have six western surburbs companies contributing more that $5,000 each with the club I wonder if he would concede that the name change was an error ?

The name change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs really does not concern me but it seems like it put some people off side for no apparent return.

I agree OldSchool, I feel the change took away some of the identity of the club. I was very surprised with the decision at the time.

However, David Smorgon has done a great job for the Western Bulldogs and I admire the passion he shows for the club.

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by footyman
I agree OldSchool, I feel the change took away some of the identity of the club. I was very surprised with the decision at the time.

However, David Smorgon has done a great job for the Western Bulldogs and I admire the passion he shows for the club.

I am a supporter of Smorgon and his tireless efforts for the club but I think he got this one wrong. It does not appear to have broadened the corporate appeal at all and whilst we have made some gains in our memberships, perhaps due to the switch of grounds, I wonder if it also might have cost us in some other areas.

 

[SCRAY72]

They should be thinking about working out how to beat the Dees this week not how much money to offer our uncontracted players.
Stephen Newport can organise meetings with their managers and the process will begin.

 

[scoreboardend]

Originally posted by OldSchool
Just to keep on the Smorgon theme, If we remember back to the bloodless coup and the name change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs it is was to broaden our appeal to the western region. Given that we only have six western suburbs companies contributing more that $5,000 each with the club I wonder if he would concede that the name change was an error ?

The name change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs really does not concern me but it seems like it put some people off side for no apparent return.

No doubt one of the biggest mistakes IMO the club has ever made changing the Footscray name to Western Bulldogs, second only to moving from the Whitten Oval which we have paid for ever since then closely followed by the Allan Jacovich signing.

 

[Chops]

I disagree. Change the name was a good idea in theory.
We needed a bigger scope. It's the council’s fault that Footscray has deteriorated so badly and now a haven for druggies, and basically people that don't give a stuff about the local team.

If the 6 councils agreed to it then it’s their fault for not forcing local industry to support their club. I work in the west and have lived most of my life in the west. Local companies have made billion dollars profits in our backyards, polluting the atmosphere and what do they give back to the local community??

Why don't these local councils tax these companies or force them out? Either way we win!

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by Chops
I disagree. Change the name was a good idea in theory.
We needed a bigger scope. It's the council’s fault that Footscray has deteriorated so badly and now a haven for druggies, and basically people that don't give a stuff about the local team.

The change of name was a good idea in theory. I sat in the stand the day that Smorgo delivered the message and he had me convinced. The reality is that the local companies did not support it at all. He has tried several things like changing from the Whitten Oval to Optus to Doglands to try and generate additional corporate support however, it has not worked out as we all would have liked.

 

[dancingdoggie17]

Originally posted by SCRAY72
They should be thinking about working out how to beat the Dees this week not how much money to offer our uncontracted players.

Smorgo's the President, not the coach. Fair enough that hes defending the media's constant claims that browny and darce won't be with us next year.

 

[-PC28-]

Originally posted by dancingdoggie17
Smorgo's the President, not the coach. Fair enough that hes defending the media's constant claims that browny and darce won't be with us next year.

Spot on

 

[scoreboardend]

Originally posted by OldSchool
The change of name was a good idea in theory. I sat in the stand the day that Smorgo delivered the message and he had me convinced. The reality is that the local companies did not support it at all. He has tried several things like changing from the Whitten Oval to Optus to Doglands to try and generate additional corporate support however, it has not worked out as we all would have liked.

I am sure back in the 30s Adolph Hitler thought he had some good ideas in theory as well, of course he was horribly wrong and so was the Footscray board at the time of our name change.
You were obviously not anywhere near the people around me when the change of name decision was announced, who including myself, were in no way convinced it was the correct decision.

 

[Chops]

Originally posted by scoreboardend
I am sure back in the 30s Adolph Hitler thought he had some good ideas in theory as well, of course he was horribly wrong and so was the Footscray board at the time of our name change.
You were obviously not anywhere near the people around me when the change of name decision was announced, who including myself, were in no way convinced it was the correct decision.

Are you sure your not JG? Smorgon=Adolf Hitler?
Horribly wrong? Somehow I don't think a name change could be the cause of all our problems. More that these other councils have promoted it. I love the Footscray but I love the Western Bulldog name just as much.

 

[scoreboardend]

Originally posted by Chops
Are you sure your not JG?

Yeh i am sure and dont start the alias thing up again.

Smorgon=Adolf Hitler?

The only thing missing is the worm above Smorgos top lip.



Horribly wrong?

You betchya changing the name was horribly wrong, huge mistake and right up there with rolling over and showing our bellies on ground rationalisation when moving from the sacred turf at our beloved Whitten Oval.

Somehow I don't think a name change could be the cause of all our problems.

Not saying the name change is the cause of all our problems but we certainly lost some identity and culture with the name change.

I love the Footscray but I love the Western Bulldog name just as much.

Still Footscray to me and always will be.