Former club captain Bob Murphy holds the belief that the Western Bulldogs should change their name back to Footscray.
The name was changed in 1996 in order to broaden the scope of a club struggling financially, with the Bulldogs winning an AFL and AFLW premiership under the new moniker.
Murphy, who played 312 games for the Bulldogs between 2000 and 2017 and captained the club between 2015 and 2017, feels the time is right to return to their historical roots.
“I have long held the thought that I would love the Western Bulldogs to go back to being the Footscray Bulldogs,” he told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“This is just me speaking for me, I understand why it was done in the first place, they were bleak times at the end of 1996.
“I think enough time has gone past and we still are in Footscray and I actually don’t think going back to (being called) Footscray leaves anyone out.
“I don’t really buy the theory that calling ourselves the Western Bulldogs opens ourselves up to including more and bringing more people in.
“Footscray is a tangible feeling as much as it is a place of geography. That’s where the heart of the football club is, that’s where the football ground is, that’s where the players are.”
Listen to the full discussion with Bob Murphy and Andy Maher below
Garry Lyon and Tim Watson also gave their thoughts on the idea