Player Club Viewing NightTravelled down to Punt Road tonight along with Camboon for the Player Club Viewing Night. I wandered in around 6pm and was given a signed photo of one of the players but later had it taken back off me when they found out it belonged to someone with the exact same name as me! What are the chances! It’s not like my name is John Smith either!
Anyhow, the function was held in the players gym with four players in attendance – Angus Graham, Daniel Connors, David Astbury and Jake King. Camboon and I was able to speak for a fair time with both Dave and Daniel, and each of the four players were interviewed in turn by the host.
When we were viewing the lockers we noticed that Dusty Martin had a post-it note stuck on his locker saying he owed $10. For those that haven't heard of this before, the players are fined for every time they have their photo shown in a paper. These funds go to the end of year celebrations.
Connors and Astbury explained that Lids was in charge of fines this year and he was ruthless. Apparently Lids gives fines even if only the side of your head is shown and a front page spread (Connors said
) was worth as much as $60. You can pay a $200 blanket fee to cover yourself for the year but supposedly Jack refused to pay this this he is now up to around the $600 mark
Here is a brief summary of each player– Astbury Big lad. Still very raw but a really nice kid. Enjoying his footy and happy to play either end of the ground. Played most of his footy down the backline and says Dimma keen for him to play out his career there. Mentioned he had put on 6kg since arriving at the club but reckons he is looking forward to the pre-season so he can try and work towards adding the 10kg he thinks he still needs.
I asked him about some of the other players and he said he thinks out of those who are yet to play Browne is the closest chance of getting a game, perhaps soon
Also mentioned, as we have heard, that the players watch videos of themselves using the footage from the networks plus footage from a camera the club sets up behind each goal. The footage from behind the goals is so the players can observe the set ups and structures away from the ball. Dave mentioned that they had about 20 different KPI’s they were measured on.
When he was interviewed Dave said his biggest highlight to date was his debut, which can sooner than he thought it would thanks to Sydney adventures of some of the lads (Connors and Kingy burst out laughing along with everyone else in attendance).
Connors Is a very confident character who loves a joke. Said he didn’t play much footy in the past because of his injury and then last year wasn’t fit enough with a pre-season behind him.
Enjoyed running off the half-back line and along with Newman and Deledio the club was assembling a fantastic backline with the three of them (then he realized what he had said and was embarrassed).
I asked him what the biggest difference he had noticed between TW and Dimma and he said he actually liked TW! I got the impression that he didn’t like Dimma anymore or any less than TW.
When he was interviewed someone asked him to explain the team plan he basically explained that it is too complex to explain so King jumped in!
KingySmall in stature as you would imagine and not the most eloquent speaker I’ve ever heard but undeniably loyal to the club
. Said he was dropped earlier in the year and was frustrated so was rubbed out a couple of times.
Dimma called him in and laid down the law reminding him that it was the last year of his contract and unless he started to control himself, improve his form and focus his aggression he was gone. He said with the support of a few of the players and the coaches he played his behind off and fought his way back into the team.
Kingy said he doesn’t care where he plays but is intent on playing a role, following the game plan and running the lines. He said those that don’t follow the rules and support their team-mates don’t play.
The MC asked Kingy if he was looking forward to getting stuck into a few of the Collingwood boys. Kingy said all the rights things at first – he is controlling his aggression and doesn’t want to be rubbed out – but when pressed said if the opportunity arises….
Angus GrahamHuge unit. Benched pressed 160lb as a bit of a side act while we all watched. Said he pulls up sore from most games with back, thumbs ect problems and is always the last players with the Chiropractors.
Likes the idea of feeding the ball down to the likes of Cotchin, Martin, Foley, Jackson and Deledio for the next decade. Has worked with 4 different part-time ruck coaches who he has taken something from each of them though is appreciating working with and rucking against a full time ruck coach full time.
The MC asked about his challenging month playing against the likes of Sandilands and now this week Jolly. Responded that he has enjoyed playing on Jolly in the past, Jolly enjoys going forward to kick goals and Gus wants to do that to him this week as he hasn’t kicked many lately.
Before they played AFL Kingy and Astbury played in the backline, Connors was a ‘rover’ and Gus used to play CHF!
Anyhow, it was a interesting evening and I want to thank OE and WP for choosing my post so I could attend but particularly I would like to thank 635 RFC for allowing me use of his ticket.
Thanks
Stripes
