I missed the middle part as I had to answer a phone call but here's what I caught of the interview. I'm guessing the bit I missed was about free agency and the need for the Fighting Tiger Fund.
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* Playing 4 teams in the top half. In winning positions in two of them and disappointing we only got 2 points against St Kilda but two points nevertheless. Hawthorn was disappointing but there were still positives - we moved the ball well through their zone, our pressure inside 50 was good. In the wet their bigger mature bodies really showed.
* Ball movement this year has been good but we want to see improvement in defence compared to last year. Didn't progress as much as we should've defensively in 2010. Personnel issues has hurt us but it gives Astbury and Grimes chances for further development.
* Conca - leadership, mature young man. We did a lot of homework watching him last year. Always had someone watching him. Shows composure with the ball and impressed by his willingness at the footy. Milney got hold of him early but he stuck at it. Runs the patterns well.
* We have a number of measurements to measure our improvement (most are not very sexy) but wins/losses are still important. We were in front with a couple of minutes to play against St Kilda and just a lack of composure allowed the Saints to get some easy forward entries.
* ME Bank Centre very important. Old facilities were very archaic for about 15 years. Now the cricket club has gone we can now get on with redeveloping the Punt Rd oval surface and widening the oval a.s.a.p. All the recovery, player facilities etc ..will help the players. Players now spend more time at the club. No more excuses now.
* Jack a really passionate individual and you can't harness that but there are a lot of kids watching so it's probably right for the AFL to fine him and for Jack to apologise. Still a lot to learn for Jack and we don't want him kicking 78 goals every year and relying on him.
* FTF - ambitious $6 million target. Just shy of 2.5. Raised 2.1m in 20 minutes on the gala. Other initiatives will be rolled out throughout the year. If we want to kee up with the big boys we need to grow - fund various areas of the footy dept. Great start but a long way to go.
* Most improtant thing is membership. So if you haven't renewed or not a member join up. If you have spare over then donate to the FTF. No one is forcing anyone as we aren't going under; it's about growing the resources of the club.
* Massive facility upgrades at all clubs now in Victoria so that's pretty even now. FTF implies free agency as you need to invest and go other players but still it comes down to people make the right decisions.
* Excited about Collingwood game as it's another test. They are the benchmark and this is an opportunity to test ourselves against the best.
* With gambling a hot topic at the minute any difficulties having a betting agency as a sponsor in the current climate? No. We have a good lucrative relationship with luxbet. At the end of the day people have to take responsiblity for their own actions.
* Tucky a chance. Like last year as the grounds got heavier and the game slowed he came in and had a major impact. So he'll be on the cusp.
* Batchelor - steely resolve, mature, played U18s while working, excellent left foot.
* Taylor - no further update. Club in constant contact. Left club indefinitely. Found AFL tough. We've taken measures to support him as have other people. We've had to compromise our standards at times which hasn't worked. He's got to go away and decide if he wants to put in the work to make it and take responsibility for where he is at.
