Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon admits there had been dark times when he despaired his club would never make it to an AFL grand final.Gordon had to fight tooth and nail to keep the wolves at bay during his first stint as president - from 1989-96 - of the then financially crippled club.And as he soaks up the clubs first grand-final week since 1961, Gordon cant help but cast his mind back to how the Dogs had arrived there.What I love about it is the struggle ... its just a story that if you keep pushing hard enough, then finally the door breaks down, Gordon said.(The club) was in receivership (in 1989) and it was days away from being wound up. The VFL had plans to raffle off our players to various other clubs ... it was closer to extinction than any other club that has survived has ever been.And its not the only time. In 1996, we had our struggles and I know that in the 16 years of David Smorgons presidency before I came back, there were various moments when the sheriff was nearly at the door.Its been a history of struggle, the Bulldogs embody struggle, and I guess the moral to the story is if you continue to struggle and you continue to believe, then eventually a week like this will come along.I hope Bulldogs supporters are further rewarded on the weekend.Gordon has been a constant presence at the club this week, chatting with fans and watching the team train during breaks from official business.Hes been thrilled with the number of members, supporters and past players who have come down to Whitten Oval to experience the grand-final week atmosphere.The club remains unsure exactly how great a financial windfall the grand-final appearance will provide but, whatever it is, the days when that might be the difference between survival and extinction are long gone.Its 2016 and we are not the club that, back in 1989, was fighting for survival, Gordon said.Weve broken a lot of records this year ... 40,000 members would have been a dream for me when I first became president in 1989 and we had 4000 members.Weve broken records in revenue, were going to declare a healthy profit this year and well be able to invest back into Whitten Oval.As someone whos been involved in it for such a long time and seen so many people work so hard ... this is the realisation of a dream. 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Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Brendon Santalab has already blotted his seal of approval on any potential Western Sydney bid for Dimitar Berbatov, saying hed jump at the chance to play with the former Manchester United striker.Berbatov is the latest prospective marquee linked to the Wanderers as the A-League club attempt to solve what, before last weekends 4-1 rout of Central Coast, appeared to be a goal drought.With the apparently imminent capture of Robbie Keane looking more unlikely by the day, coach Tony Popovics hunt for a striker continues as he aims to bolster his squad before the Asian Champions League starts in February.The urgent need for a reliable scorer was highlighted by Popovics decision to start 19-year-old Lachlan Scott against the Mariners instead of Kerem Bulut, whos yet to score and was again left out of the match-day squad.Santalab has scored five goals this season but is used mostly as a substitute.And while the club declined to comment on reports theyd been alerted to free-agent Berbatovs availability, Santalab believed the 35-year-old Bulgarian would make an ideal addition.Yeah, definitely. Hes a superstar, isnt he, Santalab said.The names being thrown about are quite special, and to play up front with the couple that have been mentiioned would be incredible and only strengthen our squad.ddddddddddddWith the ACL coming up its an exciting time for us so well see who Popa brings in, if anybody comes in January.The main concern around Berbatov might be his fitness given the former Tottenham and Bayer Leverkusen mainstay hasnt played since leaving Greek outfit PAOK at the end of June.Meanwhile, Keanes strong work ethic and record 68 goals for Ireland make the departing LA Galaxy star a highly attractive proposition for Popovic.However, the 36-year-olds wage demands, which have already ruled Brisbane out of the race for his signature, appear too high for the Wanderers.Western Sydney will host Melbourne Victory at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, a day after Sydney FC and Melbourne City play at the same venue.A win would not only be sweet revenge after Victory downed the Wanderers 3-0 in round six, but also a chance to crack the top four.(Third-placed) Victory are where we want to be, Santalab said.For us its a big game, especially at home - we havent won at home yet and we need to get that monkey off our back and keep moving forward. 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