We have had a bit of discussion about Williamstown returning to standalone status, and we won't comment on that in this thread, however, I have been discussing the options, pros and cons of how the Bulldogs will tackle this in 2013 if the alignment with the Seagulls is over.
I believe the licence cost is in the approximate range of $150K. The costs to run a club week-in/week-out has been speculated at being around $400/$500K.
Does that include the wages paid to what would effectively be 'top-up' players?
How would the club generate the revenue to fund this side? Currently, Bulldogs members get into Seagulls games free, however, I believe the club would have no option to charge some kind of membership free.
As with some AFL clubs, the Bulldogs could offer an additional VFL membership for say, another $25 dollars, or offer a standalone VFL membership for say $50.
I think it's quite achievable for the club to sell 500 $50 memberships. Or for supporters to pay an extra $25 on an existing AFL membership. Particularly with the auto-renew options that clubs provide these days.
Charging an entry to Whitten Oval will be difficult with the ground currently unfenced. If temporary fencing is put up on match days the club has to factor that in. Perhaps if the club approaches the VFL to relax this rule, then they can hope to recoup some of these losses on the Bulldogs merchandise shop, Cafe and other retail at the ground. The cost of fencing would have to weighed up against actual gate receipts. Offering free entry may entice more supporters along anyway.
Aside from the fence issue, the club must invest in a decent scoreboard if regualar matches are to be played there.
I see the club going one of two ways... Playing exlusively out of Whitten Oval, and getting some decent use out of all the money they have spent on the ground. Potentially reverting to the Footscray name and really building up the history and links to the area.
OR
As discussed in the Herald-Sun, the Bulldogs stick with the Western Bulldogs name, and play at venues all around the western suburbs. Each game could be marketed in the local communities, playing a game at Yarraville one week, and say Deer Park the next. Apart from drawing along the die-hards, you might get a few that go along for a look because it is being played nearby.
With regards to playing list, I don't believe the club can afford to pay top-up players anything decent, so perhaps, with the Jets aligned to Williamstown (as they should be), the Bulldogs draw top-ups from the WRFL. I think the WRFL player would jump at the chance and would help reinforce the clubs mentality of representing the great west of Melbourne.
Either way, I think it's not unreasonable to think that the Bulldogs could draw a couple of thousand supporters or more to games throughout the season. Some people I have spoken to who are disenchanted with the Etihad experience would prefer to go to the VFL games over the AFL.
I belive Collingwood went out and sought supporters to volunteer in roles to reduce costs, I'd expect the Bullodgs to do the same.
I would be surprised if Footscray aligned with Coburg, as I could only see it as a stop game move, that wouldn't really be of value. I also don't think supporters would get behind the short-term venture.
* Please stay on topic.
