Now now Crazy Cat, it seems you dont fully understand. While i fully support the JV and have embraced it as a reality and dont normally buy into these discussions, its hard to accept some of your asertions and claims.
Wests Tigers is far better branding than the Balmain Magpies for obvious reasons...you limit it geographicaly too much otherwise. Nothing to do with Balmain-more the opposite, have to remove 'Balmian' from it as far as possible.Thats the only reason for the emblem. A Tiger is sexier and more exotic than a Magpie..sure. 'Tigers' rolls off the tongue better than 'Wests', hence the overemphasis and association with Balmain as a result of a simple mascot that comes with it and what you take as being a meaningful contribution, of which it is not.. No problem. Is that the reason for stating 'bring the branding'? Are you saying the Balmain tiger is the brand? Magpies are the best known football brand in this country thanks to Collingwood, but thats beside the point, but makes those claims moot. Are you saying a tiger is better than a magpie? Who really cares? A mascot is a mascot and only as successful as the club is. In terms of supporters, not sure how one can claim that-has someone done a headcount and survey? I wont say one way or another, but dont forget most older WT supporters west of Haberfield would have originally been Magpies supporters. Having lived and grown up nearby, that was and is obvious. Hell, even Concord oval was the original ground for the Magpies (St Lukes as it was known then). That is why many older Wests supporters have happily gone on supporting the WT and Camp Concord and remain silent. Why is the Balmain leagues club an insolvent basketcase..not enough balmain supporters around?
A JV was neccessary, and while there are no perfect JVs in football, it was a a more palpable marriage, as Balmain and Wests were essentially neighbours and both foundation clubs. Ructions will always remain from a JV.
I agree with you with regards Balmain being too localised. I also regard Wests as too
limiting and not catering to a large enough area which is why I am a strong advocate for
a return to the much broader appeal of the Sydney Tigers. Wests is also a tarnished
brand that represents mediocrity and poverty which is hard to sell.
Rugby league is widely regarded as a mans sport for tough men, hence the need for
tough emblems. AFL is a sport that can be graceful but is very scrappy like seagulls
picking up chips. This is why the AFL has many birds as emblems the hawks, the magpies,
the eagles, the crows, the swans etc. The new franchises that are now in have powerful
names like the suns, the power, the giants.
The days of selling namby pamby macots has come and gone (even in the AFL). Collingwood
is strong by virtue of being a foundation club. They have history to thank, not their mascot.
Like it or not, Balmain chose your club because you were weak. The magpie may
push on in bundy for a bit to appease a few die hards. In another ten years the old
Ashfield magpies will be dead or retired, so Campbelltown needs to start earning its keep.
I think you find NRL clubs care a lot about whether or not they can sell their brand,
especially if it directly impacts upon your survival.
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