Summary
* Preseason’s been really good. The thing that’s more noticeable this year is the bigger bodies of our players. The size of our group from a height point of view but also generally width-wise has certainly improved.
* We’ve certainly gone into the drafts looking to increase that. We’re probably looking at guys coming into the Club at 80-odd kilos now, compared to probably 70 kilos previously, so we’ve really improved in that area.
* The general standard of our training has also improved. We’ve brought in a lot of experienced players which certainly helps but players like Matty Dea, now coming into his third season, Dustin Martin, Reece Conca, they’ve all naturally progressed in their football ability.
* We’ve always gone into the preseason with an individual focus. Team focus comes more into January planning. So the key is if we can have marginal gain with every player on our list, it’s certainly going to put us in good stead coming into season 2013.
* Cairns - allowed the players to take the lead. Coaches sat back as van drivers. Funny at times listening to the players not having a clue where to go lol. Leaders came to the fore - Grimes, Maric (speaks volumes that they've become leaders when Ivan has only be here a year and Dylan has played just 17 games) and Chaplin who despite being new to our group got leadership votes.
* We drafted the most 18 year olds over the past 3 years so our list has got enough of that age bracket. We went for experience - Edwards, Knights and Chaplin can step straight into our 22 and add to our side. The rookie list we see as an injury-replacement list. So that we have experienced/ready-made players ready to come in if midyear we lose a Foley, Grimes, etc as we did this year. A sound strategy in our opinion and one we'll continue to look at over the upcoming years.
* Praised Mark Williams and spoke how we now have a fully fledged development arm in our footy dept. with the additions of Clarke and Mellor. We couldn't have all these development coaches before due to lack of resources.
* Re-surfaced Oval will be a massive asset and great to have an elite standard facility.
* 2013 - we look forward to the challenge and we want to set expectations high as that's where you bring out the best from players and coaches. Motto this year is "contest by contest". Week by week is important but every contest for every player is important for us to go forward.
