IN these days of multi-million dollar turnovers it is nothing extra ordinary but for the Western Bulldogs any year that they can return a profit is a good year.

And for the fifth consecutive year they have done just that in announcing an operating profit of $121,762 for the year ending October 31, 2011.

Bulldogs Chief Executive, Simon Garlick, said today that while it was pleasing the Club had posted its fifth consecutive profit, this year’s result reflected a particularly challenging year on the field.

“While the downturn in our on-field performance in 2011 has certainly had an impact on the business this year, the Club’s strategic direction remains strong and on track, underpinned by our comprehensive five-year Business Plan, ” Garlick said.

“This blueprint is designed to strategically position the Club to build the strongest of futures aligned with the growth of Melbourne’s West”.

Garlick said the recent allocation of AFL Club Future Fund Model represented a significant vote of confidence in the Western Bulldogs’ strategy to ‘Win the West’.

“The Bulldogs’ strategy in the Western Region of Melbourne is already showing dividends. This year’s membership figures show that 45 of the top 50 Bulldogs Membership suburbs were based in the West in 2011 and more than 1 in 10 Members called the Hoppers Crossing and Werribee area home - confirming Melbourne’s West as the Bulldogs’ backyard.”

Garlick also thanked Members and Fans for their generous support of the Bulldogs’ Bulldoze the Debt campaign with the initiative raising funds well in excess of our expectations this year, which will enable the Club to contribute $800,000 to our bank debt.

The recent completion of the $31 million redevelopment of Whitten Oval was also a key achievement in 2011.

“This significant investment has resulted in the Club having some of the leading community, commercial and elite sporting facilities in the competition,” Garlick said.

‘I urge all Members and Fans to join the Western Front in 2012 and continue to get behind the team as we head into a new era at Whitten Oval,” Garlick concluded.

The Club is also looking forward to the expected appointment of Chris Grant to the Western Bulldogs’ Board at the Club’s upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) in December.

Grant, who joins current Board Director Gaye Hamilton as one of two uncontested nominations for the two Board vacancies open at the AGM, will be a significant asset to the Bulldogs, especially in the key position of Football Director.

THE Adelaide Crow’s have turned in an all too regular dismal final quarter to fall victim to the juvenile Western Bulldogs at Etihaad stadium.

After blowing a quarter line of 22 points, the Crows were still breathing at three quarter time where they trailed by only 10 points but in what has become the norm in recent weeks they failed to find the desperation to fight back and eventually went down by 30 points – 14.16 (100) to 10.10 (70).

After a fairly bright start to the season, it was the sixth time from their last seven matches that the Crows have been outscored in the last quarter.

Their only successful last quarter in that period was in round eight at home against the fledgling Gold Coast Suns and even then they had less scoring shots 6.0 (36) to 3.6 (24).

Despite the loss Adelaide coach Neil Craig tried to sound upbeat and said: “"It's an inexperienced team that I think is showing some really good signs.

“It's a new challenge for our football club, it's a different group of players to what we've had in my time here.

“It's an exciting challenge to build this team, but it'll be scary for our supporters for a period of time."

The scares will heat up even more next week when the Crows face the unbeaten Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

While the loss has almost certainly ended and chance Adelaide had of making the finals and most surely put a death certificate on Neil Craig’s coaching career, the win for the Bulldogs have kept alight a flicker of hope for September action and shored up Rodney Eade’s prospects as coach for 2012.

Speaking after the match a relieved Eade said: "Our confidence has been chipped away at but I think, exponentially, it will be more than a win.

“I think it will add a lot and it will get the confidence to grow a bit, and if you can jag another one, you get a bit a momentum and more belief.”

The Bulldogs get their chance to build on thar momentum in coming weeks with a trip to the Gold Coast followed by matches against Melbourne, Carlton and North Melbourne all at Etihaad.

It was a must win game for the Bulldogs who were desperate to help Club stalwart Robert Murphy celebrate his 200^th game.

Senior players like Daniel Giansiracusa (4 goals) and Ryan Griffen played much better football than in some recent games and they were ably assisted by some new blood including Luke Dahlhaus.and Jayden Schofield.