Benny Gale was on SEN just before.....
* First 9 games not flash except for 2 games. But internally we saw gradual improvement. eventually improvement within the group, familarity, confidence resulted in our first win which built on the confidence and a few more wins. We always expected to improve in the second half of this year.
* 42000 members was our 2010 bench mark. Our fans are incredibly loyal and it's a reflection on the journey we are on. We had a shared understanding of what we needed to do to improve. We've articulated that message and been transparent with our menebrrs on that and it's been endorsed by our memebrs.
* We are ambitious people and club - setting targets of 75k members within 5 years etc. Keeps us up at night sometimes lol. We'll raise the bar from 42k next year.
* Collingwood game reminds us how far off we are and the work to do to get to where the best are at.
* At the start of the year we set a whole range of "not very sexy" communicators to judge how much we have improved. Based around teaching and development rather than wins/losses. We've met most of them to this stage. Don't know if Hardwick is coach of the year. Damien would be embarrased by it to be honest. Harvey and Malthouse would be up there.
* Gale doesn't have a whole lot to do with the footy side of things so hard to coment of individuals. Did play with Newy in his first year. Remembered after the loss to Adelaide earlier in the year the players were inconsolable. Newy's strength is in rallying the boys and agrees with March's comments about Newy.
* Cousins - decision most likely before the end of the season. Decision is up to the football/list manager (hence Cameron). Ben has been very productive thus far. We have to ask will he be in our best 18 come round 1 and 22 next year. Benny gets plenty of stuff from supporters about Ben; some we take on board; some we don't (laughs)
* Gale has seen Cousins' doco although it was unfinished. Gritty, confronting but instructive as well and much to learn.
* Punt Rd redevelopment is going well. A real-life metaphor for the transition we are going through. Punt Rd Oval will give us a leverage for hospitality and functions. We are really proud of the venue.
* A long way to go but appreciate the sentiments (hartford said he's doing a great job with the Tigers)
Callers rang up afterwards asking why Hartford didn't ask Gale about what Gale and the Club has planned to eliminate our $4m debt. Hartford said there wasn't enough time as Benny has to head off to a meeting.
