AUDIO: Brendan Gale interview on SEN Monday:
http://www.sen.com.au/audioplayer/Audio/Richmond-CEO-Brendan-Gale/6866Summary* Proud and extremely grateful regarding the new facilities and resurfaced oval and for the financial contribution from our members and the Government. We've been here at Punt Rd since 1885 and that now remains the case.
* Maher joked that Benny would have a good view of the new oval up in his CEO ivory tower. Benny replied he's not like Greg Swann, I'm in a broom closet down with the people at Punt Rd (laughs).
* Dimensions of new oval are Etihad-size. Land-wise we were limited. We play on the MCG every second week so we're familiar and accustomed with the 'G. The old oval had a 1.3 slope from one end to the other, was very small and with cricket pitches everywhere. The new ground is now suitable for AFL training and lower tier footy.
* Lucky enough for the RCC to relocate to Glen Waverley thanks to the Monash council. A difficult decision given the Cricket Club had been here longer than the Football Club but they are now very happy. A win-win for both footy and cricket clubs. They won the premiership in their first season away from Punt Rd.
* Benny Gale remembers doing a hammy on the old oval in his playing days training on the ground. It had become a health issue seriously especially in winter where a film of rye grass would grow over the oval and make it extremely slippery.
* We can't get people into the ground yet with piles of dirt, concrete, terraces not finished etc. You can look through the fence standing along Punt Rd lol but apologies we can't get supporters in just yet.
* Watson was super impressed we already had over 30k members. Benny replied we've made some important investments regarding our members and memberships. We're more open and connected with our members and give them greater involvement and understanding in where the Club is headed. Our membership target this year is 60k. We're a little over half-way so still some heavy lifting to go but it's a great effort so far.
