Western Bulldogs to sell remaining poker machines and spend up on Whitten Oval redevelopment

ONCE a financial battler, the Western Bulldogs are poised for their greatest-ever off-field performance — and they’re ditching poker machines to help their on-field push for success.

Luke Beveridge’s club is in a strong financial position. Pic: Getty Images

WESTERN Bulldogs will sell their remaining pokies machines and plan to use that revenue to help fund a Whitten Oval redevelopment.

President Peter Gordon revealed at Wednesday night’s best and fairest that the club was on track to post its biggest-ever profit in 2018.

Gordon said state-of-the-art training facilities would help attract star talent with the club able to match salary cap and football department spending with the biggest in the competition.

Bulldogs president Peter Gordon.

The Bulldogs will turn over more than $55 million this year and post a third successive profit of more than $1 million.

Gordon wants Whitten Oval’s capacity to grow to 15,000 for AFLW matches.

“We don’t rule out seeking the odd AFL fixture as part of heritage round sometime in the future,” Gordon told last night’s best-and-fairest count.

“We are moving to sell our remaining gaming assets and using those asset sales as part of the capital commitment to the (Whitten Oval) redevelopment.

The Bulldogs want Whitten Oval’s capacity to grow to 15,000. Pic: Getty Images

“We aspire to build something that’s new and suited to the needs of our teams in the 21st century while also retaining the soul of the 150-year-old western oval.

“Our growth and strength in membership over the past two years has been the biggest in our history. We are no longer shackled by crippling debt.

“We have made historic agreements with the state government to redevelop our spiritual home.”