Smorgon still committed to flag
David Smorgon says he is not surprised there is talk of a leadership challenge but says he is committed to bringing a flag to the club
WESTERN Bulldogs president David Smorgon says his commitment to deliver a premiership to Whitten Oval remains as strong as ever despite news of a potential bid to unseat him as chairman of the club.
Former Dogs' player Paul Dimattina was reported to be part of a group of businessmen preparing a rival ticket by Channel Nine's The Footy Show on Thursday night.
The team has struggled in Rodney Eade's seventh season at the helm and sits in 12th position on the ladder with just three wins going into round 11.
Smorgon was disappointed, but not surprised, that the club's on-field performances had sparked talk of a rival move on the board.
"It doesn't surprise me in me many ways. It's happened before, you lose a couple of games and people start to panic," Smorgon told Melbourne radio station SEN on Friday.
"We're certainly not panicking at the Bulldogs [whether] it be around the board table, around the management team or even in the footy department.
"We know what we've got to do and one of those things is you stick together through these tough times.
"I know that there are some people that are disappointed with our on-field performance to date, as we are, but you work together to work through that.
"I think the direction of the club, the policies and the strategies of the club are as strong as they've ever been and we're continuing to make great progress."
Smorgon took over from Peter Gordon as president in 1997 and has steered the club through some turbulent financial times. The club's second premiership has so far eluded his grasp, but Smorgon isn't about to walk away from something he has invested so much time, money and effort in.
"We've worked too hard at our club to put in place a strategy that has got the acceptance of our members and the respect of the AFL and the rest of the competition," he said.
"We started off at a low base, as everyone in football would know, but one of the best things we've achieved is having stability and unity around that board table.
"That's the way we do it at the Bulldogs."
Smorgon said that he had no issue with Dimattina and wasn't aware if the former 131-game veteran had a problem with his leadership.
The rival bid was reported to have the financial backing required to wipe out the club's debt, which currently stands at just over $3 million after a recent fundraiser at Whitten Oval.
While Smorgon won't go without a fight, he invited anyone who has the talent, credentials and money to help the club to come forward.
"I don't know whether these people were [at the fundraiser] or not, but if they've got the dollars and they've got a plan to wipe off our debt then let them call me today," he said.
"If anyone thinks they've got the attributes to be a board member or even the president then let them call me and we'll put it to the board and see if their credentials and their commitment are going to be better than what we've got around the table and that includes me.
"If they think they can help the club then they know where to call me and I'm happy to present their credentials to the board and to our members. It's not an issue from our point of view."
Smorgon was re-elected to his position for a further three years at the club's annual general meeting in December last year.