Bulldogs Comeback a Boost for Junior FootballThursday, April 28, 2022 - 3:00 PM - by Mark Readings

A club which helped launch the careers of WA football greats Dwayne Lamb and Matthew “Spider” Burton is about to make a stunning return after folding seven years ago. 

The Innaloo Bulldogs Junior Football Club couldn’t be sustained at the beginning of 2015, primarily because the number of participants from feeder schools had dropped from 250 to 120 when Junior sides were in place between 2009 and 2014. 

Bulldogs President Cody Richardson and the club’s administration recently launched a plan to revive the club. 

“The numbers for the 6-week Auskick program were a lot better than everyone at the club expected.  

We had roughly 15 boys and girls in all different age groups every Sunday.? 

We advertised through local schools, the Stirling times, and created signs, posters, and social media to promote the club. 

Parents also pitched in to make this a real team effort. 

We approached the WAFC, and they helped us get it up and running with equipment which we really appreciate,” Richardson said. 

It’s not the first time the club has been through adversity. 

The original North Innaloo Junior Football Club ran from 1961-2001 but struggled for numbers between 2002-2008 before it was revived. 

Richardson is optimistic about what the club’s return means for the local community. 

“Very exciting, especially for the senior club and it’s future. 

It gives local families a chance to walk down and have a feeling of ownership again. 

Many people don’t know this was a powerhouse junior club in the 60’s,70’s and 80’s,” Richardson said. 

The Bulldogs are promoting their return as a great place to bring families. 

“We have good facilities, a renovated clubroom, and a beautiful oval, what more could you want?” Richardson enthused. 

Innaloo, which is in Claremont’s zone, is aiming to get all age groups back, from Auskick right through to ages 11-12 and the Seniors 16 and over. 

“We are ready to go and even have 10 boxes of old jumpers from the 2000s which can be proudly worn,” said Richardson. 

For anyone interested in being part of the Bulldogs revival head to the club’s new website