I've honestly never been as disinterested and pessimistic about our chances than I am right now. Not just in how we're playing but how we've positioned ourselves moving forward. I hate being negative about all this and I'll always support the club but I know A LOT of Bulldogs supporters who feel the same way. The club has been so badly mismanaged over the years it borders on criminal. Our recruitment for the most part has been a joke. Can anyone really tell me adding Luke Thompson to this squad makes us anywhere near a finals contender?
Unfortunately the one crucial off field decision post-Hasler/Dib was always going to be hiring the right coach. That's who would define our playing style, our culture and our ability to attract players. It was a bad hire, there's no two ways about it. Lovely bloke sure, but in way over his head. What I think the club is really struggling to understand is they can't afford to be in 're-build mode' for 5 years. Sure the die-hards (like us on the forum) will still be there. But what about everyone else? Sport is entertainment. And there are a myriad of options around for people to spend not only their money but their attention on rather than the Bulldogs. It's an absolute slog to watch us play and it's been that way for at least 3-4 years. You can't tell me that hasn't done damage to the brand. Do you really think the next generation of Bulldog supporters are being inspired to follow the club because of the excitement of watching Tolman get it on the 4th? To watch us struggle to score 2 tries in 80 minutes? None of this is new. It's been happening for years and years. And I've got no faith that our leadership is showing enough urgency to fix it.
Yes mate, it hurts and you've highlighted some good points.
Just a couple of corrections though: it won't simply be a matter of adding Thompson to this squad. We currently have 18 of 30 spots locked in for 2021 - so of the 12 remaining, it's fair to say that probably half of the that number from the existing squad won't be renewed.
Those spots will be taken by other 2021 recruits to be unveiled later in the year and perhaps promoting a couple of juniors too.
Secondly, Pay was actually hired by Dib. He was extended for 12 months by the Anderson board only.
You're right about your sport/entertainment point and how people spend their money. The club has data on this, I watched Andrew Hill present some of this data at a member function last year.
They're very aware of how it all ties together - get the right squad (and perhaps coach, though this was not discussed), get the results heading in the right direction - and the crowds, memberships and sponsorships follow.
It might look like nothing is being done, but I don't believe that's the case just because it's a pragmatic approach and there's no running commentary on it.
Let's see how things shape up for 2021 before getting too far ahead of ourselves.
Unfortunately that might mean some more lean results in 2020 - it feels like 2008 all over again in that respect, but the ship simply has to turn. Hang in there.