Former Western Bulldogs President and Life Member, David Smorgon OAM will be awarded AFL Life Membership next month, following an announcement on Thursday.
Smorgon will be conferred the prestigious accolade in Adelaide next month alongside eight others, including Western Bulldogs Development Coach Joel Corey
A life-long Bulldog who was Club’s President for 16 years from 1996 to 2012, Smorgon has been conferred the honor under the ‘Special Service to the Game.’
While Smorgon is fondly regarded as a Bulldog devotee whose blood runs red, white and blue – his passion and contribution to football extends well beyond Whitten Oval – having taken a prominent leadership role amongst the AFL Presidents during his Bulldogs tenure.
During his Presidency, Smorgon oversaw a critical period of development for the Club only made possible by the leadership and stability he brought to the role.
Some of the achievements delivered during his tenure include:
- The $31 million redevelopment of Whitten Oval resulting in leading community, commercial and elite facilities
- Changing the Club’s name to the Western Bulldogs – reflecting the Club’s strategic direction to Win the West and capitalise on the growth of the Western Region of Melbourne – the Bulldogs Heartland.
- Secured the Bulldogs reputation as the Community Club of AFL
- The Club’s 2010 NAB Cup victory
Life membership is most commonly conferred to a player, umpire or player and coach upon reaching their 300 game milestone at the game’s highest level.
Bulldogs Development Coach Joel Corey, the Cats' best and fairest in 2005 and 2008, retired at the end of 2013 after playing 276 league games, 31 pre-season games, one state game and two matches for Australia.
