I've left out a couple of questions that were too difficult to scan (too lazy tonight to type them out lol). In a nutshell, Staf said the young guys give the older blokes like him renewed energy and enthusiasm and that as a older player you need to show leadership whether you're captain or not. Staff's also got a film script that he wants to turn into a movie before he retires from footy. So we might see him at the Oscars one day
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Fountain of Youth ... Just the tonic for 'Staf' ...
Fighting Tiger Bulletin
by Tony Greenberg
He's big, he's strong, he's aggressive and, despite being in the twilight of his league career, he's an important cog in the Richmond side. Greg Stafford also is refreshingly candid, as the Club's Media Manager, Tony Greenberg, discovered in this exclusive interview for 'The Fighting Tiger Bulletin'.Tony Greenberg: On the eve of your 13th season of AFL football, what expectations do you have?
Greg Stafford: I think the season promises a lot of excitement from a Richmond perspective. We've bottomed out as an organisation, and the breath of fresh air that's come through the place has really got it smelling good. With Terry [Wallace] at the helm, and the people he's brought with him to the Club, along with the new players who've come in, it certainly augurs well for the futute ...
Obviously, Deledio and Tambling are standouts in terms of our young recruits but I believe there's a very strong underbelly as well among the playing group. It doesn't fall away as much as it sometimes does when you recruit a whole bunch of kids at the one time. You look at Danny Meyer, Adam Pattison, Luke McGuane, Dean Limbach... there's no doubt they have plenty of potential, and it's going to be interesting to see how these blokes develop. Danny Meyer, with his balance and poise, reminds me of a young Blake Caracella ... he looks like a class act. The big fellow 'Patto' (Adam Pattison) is pretty raw, but he's an interesting character and I like the way he moves. He gets a lot of the ball, he's just got to work on his skill. But I think he's one to keep a close eye on.
Luke McGuane is probably not as far developed as some of the other young players, but that really means nothing in the long term. Even if Luke doesn't really crack it in the next 18 months, I believe he's worth persevering with because he's got the size, athleticism, and he could do some special things down the track. . .
TG: How hard have the past couple of seasons been at Tigerland?
GS: Obviously, we don't want to. dwell on it too much, because that's all in the past. But, at the same time, it's also important to never forget. It just gives you that fire in the belly, so you don't revisit those times. Sure, it was tough, but thankfully I think those days at the the Club are long gone now.
TG: What did Terry Wallace discuss with you at your initial one-on-one meeting after he'd been appointed coach?
GS: He was of the opinion that the slate for many players has been wiped clean, and you've got to earn your spot, which I think is a sensible approach. If you start guaranteeing things - human nature being what it is - people just take their foot off the pedal. By the same token, he told me that he really wants to play two ruckmen in his team. I like the fact he calls a spade a spade. . . that's the way I like to operate, too.
TG: What's your reaction been to the arrival at Punt Road of fellow big men Troy Simmonds and Trent Knobel in the off-season?
GS: If you had have asked me 5-6 years ago, I would have grumbled and probably gone home to my dartboard with their photos on it! But I think as you get older you understand the game's changed and my role's changed. The ruck spot now is made up of a division, not a player. From West Coast, to Brisbane, to Port Adelaide, you've got 2-3 quality ruckmen, who rotate through the spot, which makes them a good combination.
If you want to rely on only one ruckman, well, it's just bad business because if that bloke goes down, you're left way short. And, for one player to fill that role, against three on-coming sets of fresh legs. . . you have to be Superman. So, I've understood that I've got to embrace my fellow ruckmen like never before and I have. In fact, to get those two players, has been a credit to Greg Miller and the Club. At the end of the day, players don't come to a club if they don't think there's a future there. It speaks volumes for how those two players perceive the future of this place.
TG: So, what will be your on-field role this season?
GS: Well, it'll be in the ruck . . . obviously sharing it with Trent, and Troy, when he goes in there. When I'm not there I'll probably be either up forward or on the bench.
TG: Your on-field aggression has landed you in a bit of trouble with the umpires over the past couple of seasons. Are you across the tribunal changes this year, and are you planning to modify your style of play?
GS: I don't think I'll be modifying my play too much. I've just got to get some of the sloppy things out of the way. I have looked at the rules and regulations and all that sort of stuff and I think the basis is the same. . . , mean, if you go and clobber some bloke, you're in trouble - if you don't, well, you're okay.
TG: What do you believe are your main assets as a player?
GS: Probably being competitive, aggressive, and selfless. I like to bring players into the game, and I don't mind sacrificing part of my game for the greater good. And, on the rare occasion when I do get the ball, I use it okay.
TG: Was it a culture shock to move from Sydney and find yourself right at the coalface of AFL football, involved with a club that has such a strong sense of history, tradition and passionate supporters as Richmond?
GS: It was funny. .. initially when I came down to Melbourne, I only signed on for one year because at that stage of my football career I didn't know if I really wanted to do it anymore. That was because I had some injury problems, I wasn't playing well, and my enjoyment levels were wilting. I thought, look, I'm not going to come down here and take any more than a year because, if after 12 months' time I don't want to continue, I don't want to be in that situation where I'm taking money from the Club, or I'm embroiled in some sort of dispute. So, I just said let's have a crack at it for 12 months and see how it goes. . . I've got to say, it's been terrific.
TG: How much longer would you like to play for?
GS: I've always said that for me to play - and this is why I nearly gave it up four years ago - I need to feel like I'm contributing, that I'm a valued member of the organisation, and that I'm enjoying it. Provided I can tick all those boxes - or at least two of the three - I'll continue. But if I feel that I'm just deadwood around the place, or I'm not enjoying it, well, I'll have to make the call. I'll just assess all that when the season's over.
