Benny was on at around 6.20pm with Brereton, Schwarz and Mark Allen.
Summary
* We're looking forward to round 1 and the challenge of the first 5 rounds.
* Hardwick's re-appointment? There was a comprehensive review and we believe Damien is the right man as coach. The decision was reasonably well received but there's still a lot of work ahead of us. Gone are the days the coach is put out there to get the job done alone. It's a shared responsibility.
* Brereton said Richmond use to go for the quick fix but now it looks like a proper slow build. Gale replied if you're prepared to follow the well proven formula of building your list from scratch under a successful coach and resourced footy dept. the results will come. We've changed our list and footy dept. No quick fixes. Dimma has shown great vigilance along the way given we're doing this at a time which is the code's most competitive period with new teams. Still need to invest in our footy dept. via the Fighting Tiger Fund. Brereton said that the skeleton is there now to build upon which is positive.
* Benny said he takes no sign of the NAB Cup and preseason form regarding Carlton as they've been in finals the last few years. Preseason form more important for us with a young upcoming side for confidence and becoming more and more familiar with team structures.
* Schwarz asked about the club handling expectations? Benny said you do that by being honest. We've told supporters when we started we've got to take our medicine. We've got to improve and this year improve again at the same rate. Supporters know where we are at and the size of the challenge early on (first 5 rounds). They are more informed these days so they understand where we are at.
* Cotch and Martin - you must be excited to have to good ones? Benny said we're "encouraged". It's our responsibility as a club to deepen our list and build around them. We've now got a good environment to develop them and for them to be their best. If in 10 years we look back and they as known as club greats then that will mean they've played in good Richmond teams which is the main thing.
* Do you need to be careful how you speak these days (re: Rendall etc)? You do but when I'm excited you'll all know (laughs). See some really positive signs at the club with the coaching staff and players but in saying that the competition is a fierce one. We need to continue to support one another.
* Can you make the Eight? Based on basic maths we won 8.5 games and lost a couple of close ones. If we are to improve at the same rate again and everything goes right then there's no reason we can't.
* Benny invited all supporters to get along for march to the 'G starting at the ME Bank Centre, Punt Rd Oval and make it a sea of yellow and black at the 'G.
