Bulldogs supporter culture

[SonofScray]

WOOFERS,

I had a surreal experience at work the other day when I was playing the Proclaimers in the auditorium as a joke to myself and a couple of students walked in and started singing Sunshine On Leith at the top of their lungs. The song of course being a feature of match days last Hibernian over in Scotland.

This, the booing conversation and a general interest in fan behaviour got me thinking about our supporter culture and your perceptions around collective identity and rituals that you associate with being a member of the Footscray Football Club.

So a few questions to ponder that if you have time to reflect and respond, would be interest to me:

1. How would you describe our supporter culture? (is it something you can see? is it different to other clubs?)
2. Has the culture changed significantly in your lifetime? (what's come along? what's disappeared?)
3. What would like to see emerge as part of a quintessential, unique culture of support at the Bulldogs?


I have some thoughts that I'll share later on.

[westbulldog]

In answer to 1. We don't sulk off home at 3/4 time if we are getting done and we don't switch allegiances if we have a few bad years.

[bornadog]

The culture of the supporters is changing as we grow bigger and bigger and more supporters come on board. I think we have a core group that will follow the club through thick and thin, and then we have the band wagoners, like every other team.

The culture has changed dramatically compared to when I was growing up, as we just expected to lose and if we won, we were over the moon. Thanks to some big turn arounds, on and off the field, we expect to win every week and we are very disappointed when we lose. Social media has also contributed to change - just by the comments made.

I would like to see us a bit more like the big clubs who have supporters showing up at games, no matter what. Collingwood are a good example of this and a bad example is Hawthorn. Supporters quickly drop off when they are not winning.

[D Mitchell]

You must be a Chalkie, SOS. "Sunshine on Leith" Hibs. 2016, Scottish Cup victors over Rangers with a Socceroo, Cumings, front and centre. Google 2016 Hibs Scottish Cup.

1. Emerging. Gratifying that our eastern suburbs children stick fat.
2. Absolutely. 2016. Poor old Bulldogs who couldn't even keep their name to everyone wants to be us.
3. no change at all. We are unique. Our children and theirs, even more passionate that we are.

[D Mitchell]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdP_KK75ThI

[SonofScray]

In answer to 1. We don't sulk off home at 3/4 time if we are getting done and we don't switch allegiances if we have a few bad years.

I think both yourself and BAD have identified something that rings true. We do have a really staunch core support of around 18-20k that never waver. We have plenty more passionate fans, the turn out for Bonts 200 indicated that we’ve grown quite a bit and perhaps have a more diverse type of support than just that staunch, game day crowd. A few more theatre goers perhaps.

I’d love to see data around attendance as a % of memberships.

[SonofScray]

You must be a Chalkie, SOS. "Sunshine on Leith" Hibs. 2016, Scottish Cup victors over Rangers with a Socceroo, Cumings, front and centre. Google 2016 Hibs Scottish Cup.

1. Emerging. Gratifying that our eastern suburbs children stick fat.
2. Absolutely. 2016. Poor old Bulldogs who couldn't even keep their name to everyone wants to be us.
3. no change at all. We are unique. Our children and theirs, even more passionate that we are.

I’ve been doing some teaching at TAFE right in the heartland. One of the students lived across from Easter Rd and told me all about their experience. They were surprised to know their teacher had a soft spot for Partick Thistle and was reasonably well versed in Scottish football.

Agree with no 2. The flag that wagged was a big catalyst for change. Undoubtedly good, with perhaps some loss there too, we’d invested a lot of time and story telling into the drought and sticking fat through thick and thin. Not sure we’ve filled the gap yet.

I think we are very unique with that strong local identity as a supporter group. Folk often have a story to tell about the neighbourhood in the context of the footy club, even if they’ve moved away, or their ties are more historical.

[D Mitchell]

I’ve been doing some teaching at TAFE right in the heartland. One of the students lived across from Easter Rd and told me all about their experience. They were surprised to know their teacher had a soft spot for Partick Thistle and was reasonably well versed in Scottish football.

Agree with no 2. The flag that wagged was a big catalyst for change. Undoubtedly good, with perhaps some loss there too, we’d invested a lot of time and story telling into the drought and sticking fat through thick and thin. Not sure we’ve filled the gap yet.

I think we are very unique with that strong local identity as a supporter group. Folk often have a story to tell about the
neighbourhood in the context of the footy club, even if they’ve moved away, or their ties are more historical.

I'm no longer worried about the culture of the Club or its survival. What's intriguing is your discovery of Easter Road. I stumbled onto Hibs during lockdown, loved it that 2016 was Hib's glory and the videos showing the passion of the supporters, reminiscent of vids of ours in the same year and I'm still desperately and tragically in love with the lass at 3.39 in the link in my previous post above. Partick Thistle stands a chance of advance to the Premiership League, 3rd on the table and equal on points. Partick Thistle, St Mirren, Heart of Midlothian, St Johnstone, fascinating names. I've now added a Hibs-Hearts and an Old Firm game to my bucket list.

[D Mitchell]

I’ve been doing some teaching at TAFE right in the heartland. One of the students lived across from Easter Rd and told me all about their experience. They were surprised to know their teacher had a soft spot for Partick Thistle and was reasonably well versed in Scottish football.<br>
<br>
Agree with no 2. The flag that wagged was a big catalyst for change. Undoubtedly good, with perhaps some loss there too, we’d invested a lot of time and story telling into the drought and sticking fat through thick and thin. Not sure we’ve filled the gap yet.<br>
<br>
I think we are very unique with that strong local identity as a supporter group. Folk often have a story to tell about the&nbsp;<br>neighbourhood in the context of the footy club, even if they’ve moved away, or their ties are more historical.<br><br>I'm no longer worried about the culture of the Club or its survival.&nbsp; What's intriguing is your discovery of Easter Road.&nbsp; I stumbled onto Hibs during lockdown, loved it that 2016 was Hib's glory and the videos showing the passion of the supporters, reminiscent of vids of ours in the same year and I'm still desperately and tragically in love with the lass at 3.39 in the link in my previous post above.&nbsp; Partick Thistle stands a chance of advance to the Premiership League, 3rd on the table and equal on points.&nbsp; Partick Thistle, St Mirren, Heart of Midlothian, St Johnstone, fascinating names.&nbsp; I've now added a Hibs-Hearts and an Old Firm game to my bucket list.<br>

[SonofScray]

1. How would you describe our supporter culture? (is it something you can see? is it different to other clubs?)

I think our fans are very loyal, as most fans tend to be and we don?t see massive fluctuations in attendance in the way that the Hawks and Tigers do depending on if they are up or down. I have Essendon fan friends (shameful people) that treat the footy like an optional, social activity where each game seems to have it own appeal on whether to go or not. ?Are you going to the big game?? Real cringey americanised stuff. Reckon we just go and keep going. For me, that?s the stand out, the drought and fight back and right family connections to the club have built an aspirational, loyal fan base.

I think it?s difficult to actually see, as in directly observe anything particularly unique about our fans on game day. Pt Adelaide have their sing along, away games v Sydney and St Kilda they seem to really pack level one behind the goals, Collingwood fans still can get a whole stadium chanting, Geelong fans are incredibly dull, living up to the country hick, sleepy hollow vibe.


2. Has the culture changed significantly in your lifetime? (what's come along? what's disappeared?)
Our crowds have become less vocal and less colourful over the years, I think. The changes in stadiums from VUWO, to PP to Docklands have played a big role in that, as well as the way game day activation and fan engagement has encroached on the fans experience.

When we moved to the Docklands, I sat with my family on level 1 bay 42, a bay that was about 3/4 sold on the edges of our members reserved seat area. There was another family in front of us and the dad used to make sure he and the kids had flags to wave and every goal, he?d lead the charge with a ?DOGGIES DOGGIES DOGGIES? chant and the classic ?BULLDOGS? clap clap clap. Don?t see that sort of behaviour as much anymore. No real efforts to pull the crowd together as a collective. I?d say our supporter culture has become more focused on smaller groups and individuals observing and consuming the game rather than participating in it as a collective.

There?s less dread since the flag. I don?t feel like the grim reaper is coming for our club anymore, we?re a bit more comfortable, which is good, but I?m not certain we?ve replaced that collective experience yet. We were all on a journey to survive and win a flag. Beyond another flag, I don?t know if we as fans have a real sense of what we are about. Growth is part of it, but outside of the financial element, I don?t think we necessarily want to be one of the big clubs either, do we? For me I want to see 3 more flags in my lifetime in the men?s competition and see a Men?s and Women?s flag wag in the same season. Perhaps in terms of fans, crowds, success, put some distance between ourselves Norf and St Kilda.

3. What would like to see emerge as part of a quintessential, unique culture of support at the Bulldogs?

I?d love to see more flags and banners around the ground. We have great colours that exist on a bunch of national flags and I?d love to see more getting waved around, and hung over the fences and railings. Of course, stadium policy and the digital hoardings have ruined some of the opportunity but it?d be great to see.

I?d like to hear the crowd cheer as a collective a little more often. Bulldogs chant used to get up after every goal, now it gets going after a particularly good goal, or goals late in a tight contest. New York Jets have a good one that the club and stadium help along J E T S Jets Jets Jets, something like that added to our crowd would have appeal if folk have it a go and stuck with it. Could do it just before they run out and before the bounce each quarter or something.

[AshMac]

I always tell people you don?t choose to support the bulldogs, you inherit them.

[D Mitchell]

I always tell people you don?t choose to support the bulldogs, you inherit them. Add that you earn them. More prosaically, tell them that you are called to support our Club so have to be worthy.

[HOSE B ROMERO]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdP_KK75ThI

Oh man! Sunshine on Leith's lyrics just get me. And the Hibs fans delivered. Course then i went down the rabbit hole: 'Grace' sung by Celtic, then 'Fields of Athenry' sung by Liverpool. Lump in the throat stuff.

[SonofScray]

Ballarat presents an interesting dynamic for supporter culture that we should lean into a bit more. A couple of things I noticed:

1 the main members stand was pretty vocal, consistently more barracking and cheering after goals and more spontaneous BULLDOGS chants in play. You don’t see that very often these days.

2 the outer was full of kids with their families. What a great thing that our fans get to experience an aspect of footy that has since been replaced by creature comforts and manufactured experiences. It’s a connection to the experience of older supporters, to the game in a more pure sense. An opportunity not to just be ticket holder 1478 in 41 B 3 but part of the collective. Just another voice in the cacophony of the Outer.

It really feels like a space that ours to make of it what we will.

[kruder]

My personal view is that Bulldog supporters are generally quite at the footy compared with other clubs it feels like we lack a little belief.

[GVGjr]

Ballarat presents an interesting dynamic for supporter culture that we should lean into a bit more. A couple of things I noticed:

1 the main members stand was pretty vocal, consistently more barracking and cheering after goals and more spontaneous BULLDOGS chants in play. You don’t see that very often these days.

2 the outer was full of kids with their families. What a great thing that our fans get to experience an aspect of footy that has since been replaced by creature comforts and manufactured experiences. It’s a connection to the experience of older supporters, to the game in a more pure sense. An opportunity not to just be ticket holder 1478 in 41 B 3 but part of the collective. Just another voice in the cacophony of the Outer.

It really feels like a space that ours to make of it what we will.

The stand was getting right behind the players which was great to hear and I did notice a lot more kids and families than before
It was a good match day experience from my perspective, staff were great and the fans right behind the boys.
I absolutely enjoyed the ceremony and the way the players from both clubs stood alongside each other.
Whoever organised this deserves some acknowledgment.

[SonofScray]

My personal view is that Bulldog supporters are generally quite at the footy compared with other clubs it feels like we lack a little belief.

Think that?s a fair assessment. Especially this season, we let teams back in, or leave the door ajar so you never feel safe to get obnoxiously loud!

[Grantysghost]

The stand was getting right behind the players which was great to hear and I did notice a lot more kids and families than before
It was a good match day experience from my perspective, staff were great and the fans right behind the boys.
I absolutely enjoyed the ceremony and the way the players from both clubs stood alongside each other.
Whoever organised this deserves some acknowledgment.

I like it maybe once a year, however early say second or third round.

Overall the stadium is pretty average, facilities and amenities are lacking ; its barely afl standard and has terrible parking opens. Surface is very nice for players which is a bonus.

It is fun though and does give you a sense of nostalgia for those who like to snort that like shredded Jeff Kennett policies.

Financially it makes a lot of sense for the club so I lean towards it being a good thing.

Personally I'd prefer we ditch it after the WO redevelopment and play those games there.

Surely it would not take too much to get it to Ballarat level.

[bornadog]

I like it maybe once a year, however early say second or third round.

Overall the stadium is pretty average, facilities and amenities are lacking ; its barely afl standard and has terrible parking opens. Surface is very nice for players which is a bonus.

It is fun though and does give you a sense of nostalgia for those who like to snort that like shredded Jeff Kennett policies.

Financially it makes a lot of sense for the club so I lean towards it being a good thing.

Personally I'd prefer we ditch it after the WO redevelopment and play those games there.

Surely it would not take too much to get it to Ballarat level.

If we want to continue to build the brand we should stay in Ballarat. We are targeting a bigger audience through the West of Victoria.

The ground is going to be improved further with the commonwealth games due there in 2026 (check date)

[Prince Imperial]

I like it maybe once a year, however early say second or third round.

Overall the stadium is pretty average, facilities and amenities are lacking ; its barely afl standard and has terrible parking opens. Surface is very nice for players which is a bonus.

It is fun though and does give you a sense of nostalgia for those who like to snort that like shredded Jeff Kennett policies.

Financially it makes a lot of sense for the club so I lean towards it being a good thing.

Personally I'd prefer we ditch it after the WO redevelopment and play those games there.

Surely it would not take too much to get it to Ballarat level.

We wouldn't get the money we do from both state and local government at the WO. It's that which makes the difference not the quality of facilities, otherwise we would just play these matches at Marvel.

[Grantysghost]

We wouldn't get the money we do from both state and local government at the WO. It's that which makes the difference not the quality of facilities, otherwise we would just play these matches at Marvel.

I mentioned that part.

Agree.

Playing at a ground you own, I expect that we'd make some coinage.

[Prince Imperial]

The new Whitten Stand will seat 1500 which is less than the previous one. Standing room in front of it is gone along with areas for the new player facility.

I went to the largest attended AFLW match against Freo and it was said to be 10k and it was pretty full. I doubt the capacity now would be much greater.

Compared to Marvel, the ground will severely lack corporate facilities and reserved seating. Marvel is getting a $225m upgrade with improved bar and food facilities which should enhance the club's cut of pourage and catering rights. I don't know the terms of our deal but it was significantly improved a few years ago.

Maybe a one off heritage match would work but unfortunately I can't see the WO being able to compete financially against Marvel and the club seems to be of the same view.

[Flamethrower]

I like it maybe once a year, however early say second or third round.

Overall the stadium is pretty average, facilities and amenities are lacking ; its barely afl standard and has terrible parking opens. Surface is very nice for players which is a bonus.

It is fun though and does give you a sense of nostalgia for those who like to snort that like shredded Jeff Kennett policies.

Financially it makes a lot of sense for the club so I lean towards it being a good thing.

Personally I'd prefer we ditch it after the WO redevelopment and play those games there.

Surely it would not take too much to get it to Ballarat level.

The biggest issue with bringing Whitten Oval up to AFL standards is that post redevelopment there won't be a lot of room to increase capacity to desired / required levels. One would think that a minimum capacity of 25 to 30,000 would be required given the number of members that would want to attend a game in Footscray.

We would not tolerate a US type stadium where capacity is limited to drive up ticket prices (from $100s to $1000s per seat and higher) to increase revenue. Besides, there is no room on the Doug Hawkins Wing (Gordon Street) and limited room at the Mount Mistake end to build grandstands to reach that capacity.

Better to keep capacity at around 10K for AFLW and VFL games, and for WRFL finals.

Once the Commonwealth Games redevelopment has been done, the facilities at Mars Stadium will be infinitely better. More grandstand seating (hopefully much of it undercover) to increase capacity to closer to 20K, more food & drink oulets, more toilet facilities, more parking and a new railway station right outside the stadium.

All of this should make the gameday experience for Bulldog members, and visiting supporters, much better and a genuine alternative to playing at Marvel for games against lower drawing opponents.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Remember, this is WOOF official anthem.
https://youtu.be/RVeG-MllgXI

[mjp]

I've never been to the footy in Ballarat and likely wont...I like the idea in principle though and would like us to lean into it - continue to build that facility and look to play 2-3 games there per year and make it a bit of a stranglehold/point of difference. I hated it when we sold games up in Cairns and wherever else but Ballarat fits the original vision (from back in '97) of the WESTERN Bulldogs and I still think there's something in that. I mean, it's not SO far away that you can't day trip it - but - and I know this is a bit of a thing - the players aren't in love with heading up there and would much rather play their footy at Marvel.

[SonofScray]

Back in the day when the CS was on the wing and we had the Hyde St Band enclosure, was there ever an unofficial cheer squad behind the goals to?

[Prince Imperial]

Back in the day when the CS was on the wing and we had the Hyde St Band enclosure, was there ever an unofficial cheer squad behind the goals to?

The opposition cheer squad used to sit behind the goals at the Barkley St end and there were definitely supporters of ours with flags grouped behind the southern goal.

[FrediKanoute]

The new Whitten Stand will seat 1500 which is less than the previous one. Standing room in front of it is gone along with areas for the new player facility.

I went to the largest attended AFLW match against Freo and it was said to be 10k and it was pretty full. I doubt the capacity now would be much greater.

Compared to Marvel, the ground will severely lack corporate facilities and reserved seating. Marvel is getting a $225m upgrade with improved bar and food facilities which should enhance the club's cut of pourage and catering rights. I don't know the terms of our deal but it was significantly improved a few years ago.

Maybe a one off heritage match would work but unfortunately I can't see the WO being able to compete financially against Marvel and the club seems to be of the same view.

WO for VFL/WAFL and maybe some pre-season matches

[SonofScray]

Up Yours Oakley and !erge Oakley Into Outer Space.

Classic dogs bumper stickers and banners you’d see everywhere.

Reckon they told the story of a fan base that was rightly, and passionately antiestablishment. Think perhaps that’s shifted significantly over the years as the club has been more diplomatic and less combative with the AFL.

Not an inherently bad thing, just an observation.

[Bulldog4life]

Up Yours Oakley and !erge Oakley Into Outer Space.

Classic dogs bumper stickers and banners you’d see everywhere.

Reckon they told the story of a fan base that was rightly, and passionately antiestablishment. Think perhaps that’s shifted significantly over the years as the club has been more diplomatic and less combative with the AFL.

Not an inherently bad thing, just an observation.

Very well said SOS couldn't agree more.

[The Underdog]

We like to pat ourselves on the back, but we’re basically just a bunch of fatalistic bitches