Balme interview on Ch 7 news

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Balmey was just interviewed on Ch 7 news.

* He cautioned against cutting spending (eg: $3m cut to footy dept. including assistant coaches). A kneejerk reaction to the financial situation.

* Clubs don't waste money. Was anyone thinking when Richmond won the GF that they had too many coaches?

* Reboot 'should' favour sides like the mature Tigers but a full season would too.

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Neil Balme, the AFL's most experienced club official is urging the league to be careful about slashing football department spending. 7NEWS.com.au @Stevo7AFL #7AFL #7NEWS

Watch here: https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1247447063022850049

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We don’t waste a dollar: Richmond footy boss cautions AFL over job cuts

Mark Stevens and Digital Staff
7 News
Tuesday, 7 April 2020 7:23 pm

Richmond football boss Neil Balme has called for caution as massive cuts loom across the AFL.

The league is expected to cut millions from the soft cap in the wake of the league’s financial crisis.

With some part-time development coaches already out at clubs around the competition, assistant coaches and other football staff could be out of a job.

But while he acknowledges the financial headache, Balme says the AFL is walking a fine line enforcing cuts to football operations.

“Reducing the spend in footy seems to be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to the fact that all of a sudden we’ve got a different financial position,” he told 7NEWS.

“I think we understand that but we’ve got to be really careful of making those decisions.”

The increasing number of staff members on benches and sitting alongside coaches has turned heads over the years.

Balme, however, believes that sight is proof clubs are frugal more than wasteful.

“The product we provide for the people that go and watch our blokes play is a very good product,” he said.

“I’ve been in footy for a long time and footy clubs, they don’t waste any money at all.”

“When we see the end of the grand final, we see how well the Richmond boys played, do you reckon anyone was saying then ‘I think they’ve got too many coaches’? I don’t think.
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The AFL is determined to continue the 2020 season despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Richmond, premiers in two of the last three years, are one of a handful of clubs that won’t require immediate assistance from the AFL.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett told 7NEWS his club is determined to remain independent - partly to strengthen their case when the Hawks want to hold the AFL to account.

But while the Tigers will also go it alone, Balme heaped praise on the work chief executive Gillon McLachlan and the AFL have done to save the 18 clubs.

“The really positive thing for all of us who love footy is that the AFL are working their butts off to put ourselves in a position where the sooner the better we can get back to playing,” Balme said.

“It’s a real challenge, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way they’re doing it.”

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-football-boss-neil-balme-cautions-afl-over-job-cuts-c-962372