Smashed by 1,000 points in four matches, these Dogs are refusing to lie down

By Daniel Miles

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Four light towers flicker to life as what's left of the Dennington Bulldogs make their way onto the oval.

It's Thursday night, a surprisingly warm winter's evening. The oval hasn't yet turned to mud. Its centre square, used for cricket in the summer, feels like grass-covered bitumen.

The blokes who turn up to training know what's coming this weekend, but they turn up anyway.

The Dennington Bulldogs have lost their opening three matches in the Warrnambool District League by an average of 266 points.

Another triple-figure loss looms on Saturday. But the drills begin with the same rhythm as any other team.

The hurt isn't confined to the oval. The senior netball side is facing a similar fate, forfeiting matches and conceding 100-goal margins.

The Dennington Bulldogs pride themselves on being a family friendly club.  (ABC News: Daniel Miles)

As darkness descends, a few juniors stick around to watch the older men train, scoffing chips and gravy and doling out "advice" to injured captain Tom Noonan, who has been relegated to water-boy duties.

In the middle of it all stands Tim "Condo" Condon, the new coach who inherited a club that haemorrhaged roughly three-quarters of its total playing list in the off-season.

"C'mon, boys, give him the option. We've gotta start doing that at training," he bellows as aged and cracked Sherrins fly in all directions.

If anyone knows the reason for the exodus, they don't say it out loud; it feels like the result of everything and nothing colliding at once.

The local rumour mill has been sent into overdrive, tolling the Dogs' death knell on social media.

"Look, everyone's probably a little on edge at the moment, but we're not about to lie down and just let it close," said club president Anthony "Sludge" Dowd.

The sun starts to set over the Dennington Bulldogs training session in April 2026. (ABC News: Daniel Miles)

There's no single culprit for Dennington's disastrous state. It's a mix of missed calls, better opportunities, and the quiet lure of other cashed-up clubs and leagues.

A series of "crisis meetings" has been held with the committee, the members and even the league itself.

Dennington players cut a dejected picture during their 300-plus point loss to Russells Creek.  (ABC News: Daniel Miles)

Condon said Dennington has rectified the "internal issues", but at this point, the damage has been done.

He knows the side's problems are more than just financial. But the money of things still stings.

Dennington played with intensity throughout their match with Russells Creek. (ABC News: Daniel Miles)

While AFL Victoria mandates salary caps, Condon argues that enforcement is the weak link.

It's not the reason for Dennington's plight, but it certainly doesn't help.