The Prez interviewed on 3aw yesterday by Caro, Lloyd & Tim Lane:
AUDIO (Go to 41 min mark):
https://omny.fm/shows/3aw-is-football/3aw-saturday-afternoon-football-preview-september-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary:* To head up to Qld needed to take the 1st Sept special flight which she couldn't do.
* 2020 off-field issues?
We accepted responsibility. No guarantees everyone will do the right thing all the time. Done everything to make sure it never happens again. No doubt there's been dents but 99% of our people have continued to do the right thing. No issue with our culture. Plenty of work done with the playing group. People acknowledging what they did wasn't right. Educating those unaware. It's been an education process.
* Touching incident?
Any president (male or female) wouldn't have been happy. It's obvious someone thought it wasn't the wrong thing to do when it's was. It's happened at other clubs but that doesn't excuse us. You can't defend the indefensible.
* Does the AFL hate Richmond for being successful and now see it as time to put the club back in their box?
Don't think we've ever been popular. We want to preserve what's good and unique about the Club and our people as much as possible (re: cuts). We are fortunate we've been prudent and saved money. We are working to make a lean organisation but believe some things should be left to the discretion of the clubs. We are all in this situation and the more ideas the better.
We're not in a battle with the AFL. We need the them and like working with them.
* You're in an argument with the AFL over the TTP?
Current situation is all clubs receive the same base distribution and we assumed that would continue be the case.
AFLPA & CBA and list sizes still needs to be worked out. It's still early in the piece.
* Should clubs have more say in the direction of the competition?
Clubs are the ones that have the members and put on the game. A central commission has been important to get us through this covid crisis but wish the AFL would tap into the clubs more as they do have great ideas.
* Cost of winning a premiership this year with covid in terms of the financial hit on coteries/merchandise/ticketing?
It hits pretty hard. Didn't give a dollar amount but said it's siginficant.
The AFL runs the finals but it definitely makes a difference to merchandise. Also 5% of our merchandise sales goes to Alannah & Madeline foundation so it will hurt there.
We also lose out in terms of no crowds.
Fortunate in terms of membership with our large numbers.
* How much longer will you be president for?
Two more seasons.
Believes term limits are good. Been on the board since 2005. Give other members an opportunity to get involved in the Club.
