SFNL: Why Dandenong had to revive the Westerners for 2024 and beyond

The Westerners are back. Dandenong will officially return to its previous identity of Dandenong West for 2024 and beyond. President Matt McCabe explains why.

s09os961 FOOTBALL SFL .. Dandenong v Sandown ( Sat.21/08/10 ) Dandy West 5 Mick Reid leads his team out for his 450th game

The Westerners are back.

Southern league club Dandenong will officially return to its previous identity of Dandenong West for 2024 and beyond.

Club president Matt McCabe believes the shift back will help bring past players and supporters back to the club.

“The original idea to go back to Dandenong West was tabled by our vice president Justin Smith to try and bring back a lot of the history of the club,” he said.

“Bring back the old players, the supporters the club used to have, bring them back down.

“Our playing guernsey’s have already started making the transition now, we haven’t completely gotten rid of the Redlegs logo but we have got the big DW in the centre and are back to the old navy blue.”

The famous DW will be back in 2024.

With history at the forefront, McCabe said it’s “paramount” for the clubs future to honour past efforts while also still respecting the short history of the Redlegs.

“We will still have the Redlegs logo in the corner because that’s now 15 years’ worth of our history as well,” he said.

“It’s always going to be a part of the club.

“It’s paramount, without our past players and supporters being there, the clubs not really going anywhere.

“We want to honour what they have put into the club over the years and hopefully can bring them all back down to help us continue to grow the club.”