Memo to everyone in the football department and our fans.
Dear Everyone,
Looking back, maybe our fast and winning finish to season 2013 gave us a sense of optimism and inevitability for a further ladder climb in 2014. Maybe the competition got better. Maybe 2014 showed the growing pains that are unavoidable and unpredictable for a young side on the move.
But no explanation provides much comfort as we assume our all-too-familiar position at the top of the bottom quartile of the AFL ladder for season 2014.
There’s been so much hard work by so many good people that it hurts to sit here this morning and write reflections on another season that was just not good enough.
So while I wish the players well on their Mad Monday, truth is, it’s a mad Monday for me, too … a different kind of mad. This morning, we begin a review of football operations that will be characterised by brutal honesty.
No one comes in to footy seeking out mediocrity. I know I didn’t resume the position of president at the Western Bulldogs prepared to accept year after year of unfulfilled promise. This year was not good enough.
I will get better and work harder for our club. That’s my promise to you. It’s also my expectation of each and every one of you.
Thanks to all our members and fans who helped us out this year. Thanks to everyone who made it such a huge and successful day for the return of blockbuster footy at the Whitten Oval on Sunday. Good luck to our young Footscray side in the next month as it battles for VFL honours.
And thanks to the people of Star Weekly for the opportunity I have had this year to write for our many western region fans.
BULLDOGS IN FOCUS
THE PLAYERS
Tom Liberatore | Keeper of the kennel
Tory Dickson | Fatherhood and football
Jason Tutt | My best moment so far
Mitchell Honeychurch | My first six months
Jordan Roughead | Still living the dream
Tom Campbell | Heartbeat of the West
PETER GORDON
