Summary
* Thursty was initially meant to do the interview but he had to do his rehab (swim).
* Leadership group - There was a vote before Christmas after the boot camp and Kayne said getting voted in by your peers is a bit of a honour. It was secret ballot and players with most votes got into the leadership group. Foley also got in which shows the respect he has from the whole group. Leadership group entails both on and off-field roles. They have meetings and go through a fair bit of stuff. Only been in it a month but enjoying it very much.
* Last year was very disappointing especially in first 10 rounds when we let winning positions slip. We've got a very young list. We're training well and training more on our gameplan. Improvement to come from development of young guys like Edwards and co, Simmo back in full flight, Browny hasn't missed a beat, Newy back's after a big preseason and of course Cogs. 4-5 main senior blokes back should boost the side and improve our depth.
* 2008 Gameplan? Refine last year's. We didn't have a ruckman last year and played players behind the ball. More attacking this year as we have a pretty dangerous forward line. Lids played well down there plus Richo, Browny, Polak. Need to get our inside 50s up and we'll give a lot of good sides a shake and kick good scores.
* Lids - will play forward line, midfield and across half-back. Leading our bench press and is very quick. Use him like a Brad Johnson. If we can get a bit of consistency from Brett he'll kick a lot of goals.
* Browny will take the workload of Richo. Very confident old man now (laughs), very fit and can't wait until he plays St Kilda. Polak and Schulz will also help in terms of workload.
* SOG Boot camp - 2 days at Anglesea and then went to the Grampians. 1000 push ups, Up at 5 o'clock, Carrying 30kgs above our heads. All about a bit of mental toughness and team bonding. Finding your own food, orienteering, rockclimbing. Joked about chasing down a couple of rabbits. It was boxes in which were packets of food (baked beans). As a country boy enjoyed it but some of the city boys didn't find it as easy in a sleeping bag under the stars. Richo brought a sheet and wrapped himself up in that instead of bringing a sleeping bag (laughs). Toughest camp he's ever been on but the boys got through it and a lot out of it. Had a meeting and talk about it. All positive.
* Talked about Echuca and the community camp (interview before intra-club game in the arvo). Visited his old school. Petts, Lids and Connors come from this region with Browny and Collins from Bendigo.
