clontaago
First Grader
THE Bulldogs are investigating a shock move to Gosford as the club tires of never-ending drama.
Fed-up with persistent controversy dating back to the 2002 salary cap scandal, high-ranking officials are now pondering the merits of a lucrative $11million relocation to the Central Coast.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal several directors and senior football department staff have spent the past six weeks contemplating a seismic shift away from their traditional south-western Sydney heartland.
Furore surrounding Sonny Bill Williams' defection to French rugby has intensified talks - but the move was first discussed in earnest because of secret frustrations with the team's new base at Homebush Bay.
The Bulldogs are deeply dissatisfied with landlord Sydney Olympic Park Authority, which has failed to deliver a permanent training venue.
SOPA promised its NRL tenant full-time use of Sydney Showground for training. But five months after shifting, the Bulldogs are still being forced to rotate sessions between a warm-up athletics track and their former home Belmore.
In response, angry club officials are now canvassing alternative kennels - including Gosford.
Bulldogs chairman George Peponis confirmed the Central Coast was one option if current negotiations with SOPA don't work out. There is also a push for a nostalgic return to Belmore, but the Bulldogs cannot hope to raise $20million needed to restore the dilapidated venue to NRL standard without funding from government sources or a rich benefactor.
"Our first priority is try to secure what we were promised in regard to a permanent training facility at Sydney Showground," Peponis said.
"For whatever reason that hasn't eventuated and we can't see that improving. There's certainly no assurances it will improve.
"If we can't come to some sort of arrangement where we've got a permanent training base for next season, we'll have to take a closer look at the options available to us.
"Whether that includes Gosford, Belmore or the Crest (at Bass Hill) ... remains to be seen."
Although the Bulldogs have more than a year remaining on their SOPA lease, powerbrokers are not confident of a resolution.
Anticipating another move, they have taken the opportunity to investigate the Central Coast as a possible new home.
Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg said there had been "no discussions at board level as yet".
He added: "I think all Sydney-based clubs need to look at the merits of relocating to Gosford.
"Club CEOs would not be doing their jobs properly if they did not look at the fors and againsts of such a move.
"We are having some difficulties with our relationship with SOPA and some significant frustrations with the facilities. Those frustrations are shared by the playing and coaching group."
Apart from the NRL's $11million relocation carrot, those who fancy the idea are attracted by the chance for the Bulldogs to make a "fresh start". "Look at what the club has been through - the salary cap scandal, Coffs Harbour and now Sonny Bill Williams walking out - there's a lot of baggage," one club insider said.
After dropping all references to "Canterbury-Bankstown" 13 years ago, the Bulldogs brand has been progressively removed from its geographical roots into a moniker that can be transported anywhere.
The Bateau Bay Bowling Club - one of the Central Coast's premier licensed venues - is also controlled by Canterbury Leagues.
Opposing a full-scale move to Gosford is the Bulldogs' 15-year lease to play home matches at ANZ Stadium. One possible solution would be for the team to be based and train at Central Coast Stadium, but still host its biggest-drawing games at the 80,000 seater.
Fed-up with persistent controversy dating back to the 2002 salary cap scandal, high-ranking officials are now pondering the merits of a lucrative $11million relocation to the Central Coast.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal several directors and senior football department staff have spent the past six weeks contemplating a seismic shift away from their traditional south-western Sydney heartland.
Furore surrounding Sonny Bill Williams' defection to French rugby has intensified talks - but the move was first discussed in earnest because of secret frustrations with the team's new base at Homebush Bay.
The Bulldogs are deeply dissatisfied with landlord Sydney Olympic Park Authority, which has failed to deliver a permanent training venue.
SOPA promised its NRL tenant full-time use of Sydney Showground for training. But five months after shifting, the Bulldogs are still being forced to rotate sessions between a warm-up athletics track and their former home Belmore.
In response, angry club officials are now canvassing alternative kennels - including Gosford.
Bulldogs chairman George Peponis confirmed the Central Coast was one option if current negotiations with SOPA don't work out. There is also a push for a nostalgic return to Belmore, but the Bulldogs cannot hope to raise $20million needed to restore the dilapidated venue to NRL standard without funding from government sources or a rich benefactor.
"Our first priority is try to secure what we were promised in regard to a permanent training facility at Sydney Showground," Peponis said.
"For whatever reason that hasn't eventuated and we can't see that improving. There's certainly no assurances it will improve.
"If we can't come to some sort of arrangement where we've got a permanent training base for next season, we'll have to take a closer look at the options available to us.
"Whether that includes Gosford, Belmore or the Crest (at Bass Hill) ... remains to be seen."
Although the Bulldogs have more than a year remaining on their SOPA lease, powerbrokers are not confident of a resolution.
Anticipating another move, they have taken the opportunity to investigate the Central Coast as a possible new home.
Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg said there had been "no discussions at board level as yet".
He added: "I think all Sydney-based clubs need to look at the merits of relocating to Gosford.
"Club CEOs would not be doing their jobs properly if they did not look at the fors and againsts of such a move.
"We are having some difficulties with our relationship with SOPA and some significant frustrations with the facilities. Those frustrations are shared by the playing and coaching group."
Apart from the NRL's $11million relocation carrot, those who fancy the idea are attracted by the chance for the Bulldogs to make a "fresh start". "Look at what the club has been through - the salary cap scandal, Coffs Harbour and now Sonny Bill Williams walking out - there's a lot of baggage," one club insider said.
After dropping all references to "Canterbury-Bankstown" 13 years ago, the Bulldogs brand has been progressively removed from its geographical roots into a moniker that can be transported anywhere.
The Bateau Bay Bowling Club - one of the Central Coast's premier licensed venues - is also controlled by Canterbury Leagues.
Opposing a full-scale move to Gosford is the Bulldogs' 15-year lease to play home matches at ANZ Stadium. One possible solution would be for the team to be based and train at Central Coast Stadium, but still host its biggest-drawing games at the 80,000 seater.
