The equalisation debate will reach a head when club and League chiefs meet on Wednesday to discuss how the revenue generated by the game can be better split.
The Bulldogs, with their heritage in Footscray, are the AFL's representatives in the fastest growing population in Australia.
"The AFL has made it clear. They really want us developing the western region of Melbourne for AFL football," Gordon told SEN Radio on Tuesday morning.
Instead of pouring money in to the club's development in the area, the Bulldogs need to ensure they have adequate finances just to remain relevant in football department spend.
"Every dollar that we have to divert away from that sort of growth and development and marketing in to that region, in order to stay competitive, is an advantage to our real competitors which are the other codes," Gordon said.
As a matter of course, the Bulldogs spent $5.5 million less than blockbuster club Collingwood in 2012.
Gordon said the club's recent "below average" on-field performances were tied closely with the club's membership figures and overall revenue.
"We're not far off being able to compete, but we don't have the sort of capital base or strength of revenue that the larger franchises do," Gordon said.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter - @AFL_BenGuthrie
