The Canterbury Bulldogs secretly discussed launching an audacious bid to buy the Western Sydney Wanderers in a move that would have changed the course of history for the A-League grand finalists.

As the Wanderers attempt to win their first premiership against Adelaide in the City of Churches, Fairfax Media can reveal Bulldogs powerbrokers discussed the prospect of owning their cross-code neighbours.

With the fledgling franchise in need of strong financial backing ahead of their introduction into the A-League, several parties were approached about the prospect of owning the Wanderers. One of those sounded out was the Bulldogs, who showed enough interest in the initiative to take it to the Canterbury Leagues Club board.

There was robust discussion about the prospect of basing the Wanderers at Belmore Oval, which would act as their base for training and the staging of home fixtures. The proposal held some appeal given the ground, which now hosts the occasional NRL fixture and is the home for NSW National Premier League Club Sydney Olympic FC, didn't host any elite sporting matches at the time.