As published in the 4 June, 2014 edition of the Star Weekly, below is the first installment of Peter Gordon’s weekly column in the publication.

I’m pleased to have this new column and the opportunity to talk to western suburbs people about the club.  Here’s a response I sent out last week to suggestions that we should make significant wholesale changes:

“Thanks for your email and for your membership commitment. 

People were unhappy about the game last week, having achieved such a gutsy win in our previous game against Melbourne – but I don’t agree with your suggestion that the players are not playing for the coach or that the players are not trying to win. I know the players well and I know that like everyone else at the club, they are trying their hardest.

We are all frustrated to have not won a number of the games that we have put ourselves in a position to win this year. Progress can be measured in many ways and while we have some work to do, in reality we have been out of contention in the last quarters of only two of the opening nine games. We are all working overtime to ensure these competitive efforts start turning into wins. 

Because you know my history, you will know that I have not shirked stepping up myself when it is the right thing for the club and also stepping aside when it is the right thing for the club; I know there are some supporters who are unhappy with the coaches, just as I know there are members who would tear up their memberships if we took the other course you are suggesting. 

In the end, my job is not to guess which would be the most popular decision.  It’s to make the decisions I believe are in the best interests of the club. The unanimous judgement of the board and senior management is that this is a time for sticking together, hanging tough and supporting our players and our coach and not diverting from the clear path we have taken.  There may well be more tough games ahead.”

If you’ve got a question or comment about the Dogs you’d like me to address, send them to me at Star Weekly on westletters@starweekly.com.au