Benny Gale was on SEN just now:
* To achieve 90k is a great effort.
* While onfield success is important, research shows it is less important than ones thinks. It's how connected the supporters feel to the club that converts them into members.
* Our supporter base isn't as large as one thinks (based on Neilsen/Morgan poll) but we convert them. We're about 5th-6th. Sydney most.
* Membership is the largest line of revenue. Tiger people realy care about our football club.
* Football is left to coach & footy dept. As an organisation we're "humble and hungry". It's an extremely competitive industry and you never stop trying to get better.
* Didn't do well on the AFL/Government deal. Punt Rd missed out despite its proximity. We have a $50m-60m plan to upgrade Punt Rd: training facilities, Women's footy, plus other off-field programs (eg: our indigenous programs). There will be ongoing discussions you would think but there may not be more money in the pot. We've got to find a way around it. Our facilities are barely adequate as it is.
* The slogan 'the hunt is on' is consistent with the way we play on-field (pressure = go and get 'em) so footy dept is comfortable with it.
* We've got a lot of depth. Higgins kicking two goals and being left out this week is proof of that. Profile of our list is still pretty young. So there's still organic improvement in them.
* We're fortunate we have 3 strong competitive leaders in Cotch, Rance and Riewoldt.
* Interested in Tom Lynch? After what happened with Dusty last year don't want to comment on what will happen with players at other clubs. As far as Benny is concerned, Lynch is a Gold Coast player. If a player that fits our needs wants to come to Richmond then we'll be interested.
