Brendon Gale on SEN @ 11.40am / Plus video of Gale interview at Punt Rd Oval

[wayne]

B. Gale on SEN now.

Gale was nervous, a lot of stake.

** work phone call, missed a bit **

Had to provide facts and figures to show how behind we were. Had to break the cycle and put us on the path to success.

Hawks and Pies spending $700k a year on recruiting in 2004, we spent $140k with a part-time recruiter.

$2.1m on the night was an outstanding achievement. Great unity and feeling.

We're ok this pre-season, last Friday night was bad. As long as we continue to improve, that's the main thing.

We have a couple of other irons in the fire, it's a year long campaign. We're at $2.3m.

[one-eyed]

Benny Gale was just KB's show.....

* He was nervous before the night. A lot of stake and a lot of important people of the past/present from the club there. Also the building itself was only handed over a couple of days. A big night and definitely had a couple of butterflies beforehand.

* Need money to invest up there with the big boys. There's a correlation between football investment and success. We just couldn't say we need money so we needed to present facts and figures about our poor recruiting and poor investment etc. Investment in football dept matters otherwise you're wallow in mediocrity.

* KB said a list of names of first round picks was presented who are no longer at Tigerland. Gale said that demonstrated our lack of investment. It was mentioned we had for some time just a part time recruiter who was coaching his U18 side on Saturday so he wasn't getting to too many footy games to watch potential recruits.

* Gale said KB's speech was outstanding. People there were spellbound. Jack spoke well as did Dimma.

* When the crowd were taken on a tour of the old stand and then the new facilties, Dimma took the mic gave a guided tour of the new gym which was unplanned lol.

* $2.1m raised on the night.

* A night of real warmth and unity. People who had given to the club on and off field were there. That alone was special.

* Club mantra is 'right here, right now'. We as managment take responsibility for where we are. No point laying blame on the past. People do their best to help the Club and it's important they are recognised. Yes we have challenges financially but we have a strong foundation to build on.

* Gale is an optimist and expects to go into round 1 and win. Yes we were disappointing against Adelaide but we're on the right track. At times we'll disappoint and other times we'll fill supporters with pride. As long as we continually improve as we go that's what matters. We do want to eliminate the blow outs. He mentioned something like the average margin in our big losses was 69 points last year.

* $2.3m all up to the Fund - $200 from fans + $2.1m from last night's gala.

* Hopefully this gives the campaign/membership a kick along. We've got other irons in the fire to raise more money.

* BT, Richo and Kate Cebrano were terrific.

* Francis Bourke was doing air guitar towards the end so KB knew it was time to leave lol.

* Gale supports the AFLPA process regarding Nixon.

* KB has a feeling we'll belt the Blues. Benny said that would be terrific wouldn't it.

[one-eyed]

Video of Benny Gale interview at Punt Rd Oval today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0_Ym-GOPXI&feature=feedu

Benny said the night was a great success and he's grateful for the generosity of our supporters.