West Coast Pirates Bid News

[Miller was a legend]

Fail yourself bro

Blazinga ... Good come back!

 

[Clarke]

That's nicer, I think the original has too much of a faux bikie/WWE overkill feel about it. For alliteration purposes, I think Perth Pirates sounds better too.

I wonder how it would work with your bauxite colour scheme?

I always though part of this bid was to give a team for all Western Australians to support/Follow. Naming the team Perth sounds limited to me.

 

[GAZF]

If the WA bid were to keep the name "Reds", I'd prefer they also use "Perth". I don't care for the alliterative "Perth Pirates" though.

 

[chibimatty]

Honestly, I think the name "West Coast Pirates" sounds too much like a try-hard biker-gang and I think the logo is too much like a Mattel action figure toy-line. HAAAARRRRGH! Admittedly, I like the idea of them being "Perth" because it rolls off the tongue better and I hate the name "West Coast," but I do see the essential maritime link between "coast" and "pirates."

Personally, I like the old "Western Reds" name not because they were "Reds" who were geographically "Western;" but because they were named after the "Western Red" kangaroo, which is considered to be an animal synonymous with WA. When you consider that the black swan is our State symbol, (and that the other local animal options are the unfortunate quokkas and numbats) and the club wanted a different identity; it was a pretty unique choice for it's time. I admired their ability to create a unique kangaroo-based brand identity in a sport where the national team are already the Kangaroos and there's also a Kangaroos identity in the AFL. Yet it was unique to RL fans throughout the country as a "Western Australian" identity, to overseas fans as an Australian identity, and to locals as an RL identity. I don't think "West Coast Pirates" does any of that.

And on a side note, I think your Reds designs would have seriously sold a lot of items.

 

[WayneBennett]

Blazinga ... Good come back!

Dude are you geniused ?

 

[BunniesMan]

I always though part of this bid was to give a team for all Western Australians to support/Follow. Naming the team Perth sounds limited to me.

Ridiculous logic. So non Melbourne Victorians are turned off by the Storm because they're "Melbourne"?

The Broncos, the Dragons, the Rabbitohs, the Storm have all been able to build widespread support despite being linked to their respective urban base by their name.

Only an idiot would have the attitude "I'll follow West Coast, but name them Perth and I'll never support them". But we are talking about Western Australians who had a referendum in the 30s to leave Australia. The referendum passed but it was ignored by everyone that matters. So I guess they are capable of being that stupid.

 

[chibimatty]

Truth be told, we had that referendum three times and it passed three times. It was scuppered by the privy council backed up by self-interested financiers. It seems "everyone that matters" as always are those who can keep the "government" on their payrolls iggy:

I'll stay on topic now, sorry folks

 

[Clarke]

Honestly, I think the name "West Coast Pirates" sounds too much like a try-hard biker-gang and I think the logo is too much like a Mattel action figure toy-line. HAAAARRRRGH! Admittedly, I like the idea of them being "Perth" because it rolls off the tongue better and I hate the name "West Coast," but I do see the essential maritime link between "coast" and "pirates."

Personally, I like the old "Western Reds" name not because they were "Reds" who were geographically "Western;" but because they were named after the "Western Red" kangaroo, which is considered to be an animal synonymous with WA. When you consider that the black swan is our State symbol, (and that the other local animal options are the unfortunate quokkas and numbats) and the club wanted a different identity; it was a pretty unique choice for it's time. I admired their ability to create a unique kangaroo-based brand identity in a sport where the national team are already the Kangaroos and there's also a Kangaroos identity in the AFL. Yet it was unique to RL fans throughout the country as a "Western Australian" identity, to overseas fans as an Australian identity, and to locals as an RL identity. I don't think "West Coast Pirates" does any of that.

And on a side note, I think your Reds designs would have seriously sold a lot of items.

Fair points, although I would like to know how/why the Red Kangaroos are synonymous with WA. Obviously the bad side of the Perth/Western Reds branding is that it leaves it open to a wide number of people thinking it's a previously failed team/brand ignorantly or stupidly.

Ridiculous logic. So non Melbourne Victorians are turned off by the Storm because they're "Melbourne"?

I don't know why you are asking me, anyone with a knowledge of English can tell what I posted was not a statement. Merely, something I had heard from the bid previously.

Although anyone thinking that comparing the relationship between Melbourne and the rest of Victoria to the relationship between Perth and the rest of WA is a apples for apples comparison is far from reality.

The Broncos, the Dragons, the Rabbitohs, the Storm have all been able to build widespread support despite being linked to their respective urban base by their name.

So has Canterbury, Parramatta and the Wests Tigers.

Only an idiot would have the attitude "I'll follow West Coast, but name them Perth and I'll never support them". But we are talking about Western Australians who had a referendum in the 30s to leave Australia. The referendum passed but it was ignored by everyone that matters. So I guess they are capable of being that stupid.

lol ...

 

[chibimatty]

Fair points, although I would like to know how/why the Red Kangaroos are synonymous with WA. Obviously the bad side of the Perth/Western Reds branding is that it leaves it open to a wide number of people thinking it's a previously failed team/brand ignorantly or stupidly.

Mainly because it's the majority of kangaroos we have over here. There's certainly no real exclusivity, even black swans are found all over Australia anyway; but I think it goes more with the fact that the species is named "Western Red" as opposed to "Southern Red" or "Northern Grey" etc. Not a water-tight argument I know, but at least it sounds like it's from the West.

As for the branding, I actually agree with you that people will see it as a past failure; I just happen to like the name, that's all. Being from an AFL majority State such as yourself, you will understand some of the ignorance that can spout from an AFL mouth. If Adelaide ever made a bid to join SuperRugby for example, you'll find a lot of people coming out with comments like: "Rugby?! Again?! But the Rams already failed... DUH" Which is exactly what happened here when we made our (then) Super 12 bid. Likewise, I'm sure there's folk in Victoria who can't understand why the Rebels and the Storm haven't played a Melbourne derby yet! :lol:

 

[Clarke]

Mainly because it's the majority of kangaroos we have over here. There's certainly no real exclusivity, even black swans are found all over Australia anyway; but I think it goes more with the fact that the species is named "Western Red" as opposed to "Southern Red" or "Northern Grey" etc. Not a water-tight argument I know, but at least it sounds like it's from the West.

Thanks, I've never heard of if referred to as the "Western Red Kangaroo", I've only ever heard it referred to as the "Red Kangaroo".

As for the branding, I actually agree with you that people will see it as a past failure; I just happen to like the name, that's all. Being from an AFL majority State such as yourself, you will understand some of the ignorance that can spout from an AFL mouth. If Adelaide ever made a bid to join SuperRugby for example, you'll find a lot of people coming out with comments like: "Rugby?! Again?! But the Rams already failed... DUH" Which is exactly what happened here when we made our (then) Super 12 bid. Likewise, I'm sure there's folk in Victoria who can't understand why the Rebels and the Storm haven't played a Melbourne derby yet! :lol:

lol Fair enough. Although there has been some talk of such a Melbourne Derby in the pre-season haha.

And I probably should make it clear that I am not from South Australia, merely supporting them because they don't get much support compared to the other state leagues and because I like the new SARL logo.

 

[Diesel]

I thought all the talk was over about the name of a possible NRL side and was decided as the WC Pirates which I hated after the Perth/Western Reds name. The Pirates has grown on me and I like the name West Coast but Reds is a name they should've kept.

The Reds didn't fail, the ARL failed them by making them pay the costs of visiting teams, and if that wasnt enough News Ltd really bent them over and gave it to them royaly by winding them up as a reward for going with SL and trying to look after themselves and WA. If the ARL financially supported them and SL never happened we would still have the Reds.

 

[chibimatty]

The Reds didn't fail, the ARL failed them by making them pay the costs of visiting teams, and if that wasnt enough News Ltd really bent them over and gave it to them royaly by winding them up as a reward for going with SL and trying to look after themselves and WA. If the ARL financially supported them and SL never happened we would still have the Reds.

:thumb
Is there any way to add rep points for this comment; lot of AFL Idiots in this State have no idea about the above information.

It really killed the game here when we got dumped (before the Rams, I might add.) Prior to that, in the early 90's, RL was very strong over here. The WA State side itself were getting close to par with Winfield Cup reserve grade sides even before the Reds entered and we had quality Western Australian-produced players coming through our system. And remember, this is a rah-rah waxing lyrical here about the halcyon days of WA League! It was great stuff!

 

[Perth Red]

All in the past now, mistakes were made by all concerned. The positive is we will be in a lot better position when we do re enter than last time. I think it was a good move to rebrand and start afresh. Annoyed me at the time as I'd spent a lot of time and money getting the reds supporters group up and running but there was a smell of failure around the Reds brand and like it or loath it the Pirates brand is a marketers dream.

 

[chibimatty]

Did you see my message on the WARL forum, Perth Red? I'm looking for old WA stuff, even if it's just pics. I'm keen on finding that NSW Metro Cup series of matches or that France game.

I want to start uploading to youtube soon.

 

[Perth Red]

Hi mate, no didn't. If I come across anything I'll let you know. Get in touch with dale or John at warl as they can probably help.

 

[chibimatty]

Excellent! I'll give it a go!

 

[Clarke]

The Reds didn't fail, the ARL failed them by making them pay the costs of visiting teams, and if that wasnt enough News Ltd really bent them over and gave it to them royaly by winding them up as a reward for going with SL and trying to look after themselves and WA. If the ARL financially supported them and SL never happened we would still have the Reds.

All League fans know the Reds didn't fail. Although I thought it was the ARL that got rid of them, not News Limited.

 

[LJC]

West Coast Pirates or Perth Pirates will work.

The "Pirates" logo is very user friendly for both game day chants from the crowd and capturing the imagination/support of kids!

 

[The Great Dane]

West Coast Pirates or Perth Pirates will work.

The "Pirates" logo is very user friendly for both game day chants from the crowd and capturing the imagination/support of kids!

That's pretty much it, it's all about merchandising and unfortunately Pirates are more "attractive" then red kangaroos.

If the Pirates ever get their team it will be very interesting to see how far they take their merchandising, will they just go with the traditional football merchandise, or will they go crazy and have everything from eye patches to to foam swords.

 

[WayneBennett]

This has nothing on the marketing skills of the Adelaide Rams