FOOTBALL REPORT - Craig Cameron
RFC Annual Report 2008
The 2008 season, hopefully, was a stepping stone for the sort of sustained success that all members of the Yellow and Black faith have been craving.
In saying that, however, it's important we don't just assume success will automatically follow, as all the clubs in the competition are desperately striving to improve. Our task now is to work harder - and smarte to ensure we turn the gains made in 2008 into something quite substantial.
It was very pleasing to finish the '08 season full of running, winning eight of our last 11 games, while, at the same time, continuing to get invaluable match experience into our large group of quality, young players.
The amount of game time that these Tiger cubs have received over the past couple of years, will hold them - and our team, overall - in really good stead for the future.
Congratulations go to Brett Deledio for his inaugural Jack Dyer Medal win in 2008 (the first of several we'd like to think); to Matthew Richardson for proving his wonderful adaptability by moving to the wing at age 33, in his 16th season of AFL football, and subsequently finishing equal third in the Brownlow Medal and gaining All-Australian selection; to Joel Bowden, who reached the 250-game milestone with the Club during the year; to Nathan Foley and Troy Simmonds, who both represented Victoria against the Dream Team in the game's special 150-year celebration match; and to Nathan Foley for earning selection in the Australian team for the International Rules series against Ireland in October.
One of the lowlights of the season from a Tiger perspective was the life-threatening brain injury suffered by Graham Polak, following our Round 14 loss to Carlton, when he was struck by a tram in an horrific accident. While that was a particularly traumatic time for all Graham's family, friends and teammates at the Club, it also was uplifting to see so many people rally to help. I would like to thank all those from the Club who assisted, and all the Tiger supporters who sent wonderful messages of support to Graham. It's pleasing to report that Graham is continuing to make good progress in his rehabilitation.
To Greg Miller, who put so much time, effort and energy into the role of Director of Football during his six years at the Club, I offer sincere thanks and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. There's no doubt that Greg has played a significant part in setting up the next era of sustained success at Tigerland.
I would also like to thank Paul Armstrong for his commitment to the Club over the past four years in his capacity as Football Operations Manager, and wish him good luck in his new position with the AFL Coaches' association, and, likewise, Warren Kofoed, who has joined the West Coast Eagles following an eight-year stint as the Club's Rehabilitation and Conditioning Coach.
During the off-season, the Club's football department will build on the strategic plan that was devised last year, with an aim to become the best football department in :he competition.
Quality people make a department great and, while we farewell three such individuals in Greg Miller, Paul Armstrong and Warren Kofoed, we welcome several terrific acquisitions to Tigerland for 2009:
Ross Monaghan
Football Operations Manager.
Wayne Campbell
Assistant Coach responsible for the midfield group.
Tim Livingstone
Player Development Manager (off-field)
Terry Condon
Rehabilitation/Strength and Conditioning.
Brendan Farhner
Sports Science.
As well as those new faces in the football department, we have made some noteworthy moves with other key personnel...
Dale Weightman has shifted from Player Development into the newly-created, important role of Club Relationship Manager. Football clubs, even at the elite level, still rely heavily on volunteers, the former players and officials' group, along with country and interstate supporter groups, to function properly. Dale will ensure this entire collection of committed Tigers is fully accommodated and that they all feel a full, rewarding connection to the Richmond Football Club.
'Flea' also will work with our Commercial Operations department in seeking new opportunities with members, supporters and community groups. And, he will continue to assist Craig McRae with skill acquisition development for some of our younger players.
Brian Royal will look after the forwards group in 2009, while continuing in his role as Director of Coaching.
Jade Rawlings coached the forwards in 2008 and also performed the senior coaching duties at our VFL affiliate Coburg. He has now moved into our expanding player development area, but will remain as Coburg's senior coach in '09. This move provides a great symmetry between developing the skills and game understanding of our younger players during the week at Richmond, and then coaching many of them on match day with Coburg over the weekend.
Plenty of hard work has been done by many people over the past few years to ensure that the Club is in a position to maximise the talent within our developing playing list. We are well placed to deal with the introduction of the AFL's two new expansion clubs...
Richmond members can rest assured that the bar will be placed high by the football department and I am confident the continued implementation of the strategic and operational plans will reap the game's ultimate reward.
signed
Craig Cameron
General Manager of Football
