Summary* Expectation this year is obviously to improve. We haven't had a lot of success for a long time now so we're really looking to improve this year. We've got a lot of young players who have impressed during the summer and had some really good gametime. Hopefully we can get as much experience into those guys and move on very quickly.
* Fev is living with Newy's brother. Newy has spoken to Fev. He's struggling obviously but he's had a lot of support and Newy's brother has kept him occupied and busy. He's gone OS on a trip with his brother. Hopefully he can freshen up a bit. Newy said he knew the extent of Fev's issues. Wasn't surprised by the footy show interview but it was really hard to watch personally for Newy seeing a friend come down and tell the world his problems and then getting crucified for it was pretty hard for Newy to watch. Hopefully him airing those things and getting them off his chest can help him and hopefully he can recover.
* Eddie said there's a sliding doors effect with Newy and Fev. Both from the same background yet Newy is Richmond captain and leading by example while Fev despite all this talent has had problems. Eddie said himself, Newy and others have all tried to help. He asked Newy what it is that Fev despite being 30 years of age doesn't get? Newy replied it's the million dollar question. Fev has a personality that is larger than life. Obviously everyone knows that. He did pour his heart out saying in the interview he was insecure. He lets everything build up and come to a head. He then has his big nights out and he gets into trouble. Newy thinks Fev has had things a lot his own way growing up. Always very competitive when they were growing up. You'd be playing cricket and he'd swing the bat at ya and not let you have a go. He's a very competitive human and wants the best for himself. Sometimes that comes unstuck as he just wants too much.
* Adelaide game as our last hit out was a very disappointing result. Didn't start very well and they got the jump on us. 2nd and 3rd quarters we came back and got to 4 goals down at 3/4 time and thought we could run the game out. However they ran the game out and smashed us.
* Ty Vickery looks like being the 2nd option up forward alongside Jack this year. With the new interchange rule he's going to have to go down there and play forward. He's been very exciting - played against Port and kicked 5 goals in our win. So he'll get a lot of opportunity up forward.
* Ben Griffiths will be the other one to go forward and Brad Miller as well. We're looking good up forward. We've got the taller players who can take the pressure off Jack Riewoldt.
* Hardwick was unhappy with the last week's game so they're having a full scale intra-club practice match this week. He's doing it because he has so much care for the team and knows what we are capable of. It kills him seeing us run out games like that. He does care and he's the sort of coach that everyone wants to play for and wants success under him. He's got some very good strategies in place; he's a very smart man; and Newy thinks they are in very capable hands.
* Talked about Jack being called 'big head'. Newy said "well he has got a big head" lol. He's very good for us Jack.
* Of the young guys Rance has a personality. Eddie asked if Alex has woken up after being cleaned up a couple years ago. Newy said Rance is very rare and he's never met someone like Alex. He gets around the changerooms in all sorts of outfits. Nah he's very good around the place and gets us up. Eddie asked about the outfits - "Is Rance a crossdresser?" Newy replied he wouldn't be surprised if he was [laughs].
* Eddie claimed the hardest thing this year is managing expectation. Melbourne will cop this as well. You're a young side and it may be the start of a new era but it's only the start. It'll take 3-4 preseasons to build up the required stamina to match the big boys. Is that worry - the Tigers have got a young side and brand new facilities - but don't jump the gun? Newy replied it's always a danger. Mick Molloy probably knows better but probably our supporters are running out of patience and rightly so. Eddie then said the problem at Richmond is they are always 3 years into a 5 year plan for the fifth time. Mick then jumped in and said as long as Richmond supporters can see improvement and the club moving forward then everything will be okay. As long as we are better then that's it. Being competitive. Making the Eight would be best case scenario but as long as we are better and moving north then we'll get away with it. Newy replied that that is the aim. We want to improve this year and we feel we have the cattle to do that. Eddie reckons we won't make the Eight this year but will in 2 years time.
* Darcy believed Hardwick making King captain for one of the preseason games was a really good sign as Kingy was gone 18 months ago. A message that Dimma wants players who give their all and have a go. Newy agreed. The 'push-up' King is a lovable character believe it or not and highly respected internally. He got the opportunity to be captain and run out with a lot of the younger guys. He didn't have any success in round 1 (of the NAB Cup) but his speech before the game was pretty good (laughs).
http://austereo.castmetrix.net/podcast/378302368699184592/1/TripleMsHotBreakfastWithEddieMcGuire15thMarch.mp3
