Richmond Senior Club Advisor Neil Balme on Dwayne's World - Wednesday 18th May
Listen here: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=994983--------------
Summary:* Doesn't understand the Pickett decision. Marlion did something we teach players to do since they were kids. No one got hurt. Understand why they [AFL administration] are concerned but we've gone overboard. The question should be 'Did this guy do anything nasty?' and in this case the answer is no.
* We should let the players decide what happens rather than the umpires. Makes no sense that you get 50m for moving your foot a few inches on the mark. I'm probably an old fashion thinker but it's got silly. Makes no sense and has nothing to do with the game when someone moves backwards out the way and the ump says 'stand' so you cop 50. I feel sorry for the umpires having to officiate this.
* The intention is to make it easier for the umpires to increase respect but it's done the opposite. People cry out to the umpire 'you're an idiot' over these decisions.
* Not certain who makes these decisions [on the rules] but it just seems unreasonable to me.
* Graham is a reasonable chance but no certainty. Balta will miss.
* Admire Dimma on the way he answered the question. In the old days you'd say no Dusty is contracted and a required player and that's the Club's position now. We'd love him to stay and we think he will. But if Dusty came to us saying 'All this is happening in the life and I need to move to Sydney' then we would have to listen to him. But from a pure footy point of view we've done everything we've needed to do - he's contracted; he's committed to us; we're committed to him, he's a great player and we don't want him to go anywhere. If something weird happens from here onwards (as did happen with covid & his dad passing away) then we'd have to listen as we respect him so much but we don't think it will.
* Never heard the "Sydney" idea from Dusty's lips. We don't believe he has any desire to get out of the Tigers.
* Balmey believes Dusty is in now in a good space but you never know for sure. He's back playing good footy and we're excited what he brings.
* The plan and challenge is to stay up but the AFL system is designed that that doesn't happen. We're in a pretty good spot. Pleased how we've improved this year. Attitude and intent has always been terrific but we're starting to play better footy. We're in a pretty good place this year. The question is can you maintain that year after year after year is always a challenge. But we're got some good kids coming through and the older blokes are playing pretty well. I'm an optimistic bloke and believe we'll have an impact this year.
* You don't want to have 3 years of finishing 10th, 11th or 12th until the younger blokes grow up enough to play well. You need to trade picks or bring players in. That's the secret of the game. This year is one of the hardest year to predict who is going to win aside from Melbourne. Interesting to see what happens later on in the year.
* Lynch - midfield is playing better. Understanding him better and kicking the ball to him better. He's in good form.
* Impossible that Essendon won't come out breathing fire. That should happen with all teams every week.
* Balmey said he is keen to stay at Richmond. Had a chat with Benny Gale. He's 70 so he can't be here forever but he's reinvigorated, enjoying it and keen to stay on.
* Gale would be very good for the game if he did get the AFL CEO role. Hope he stays at Richmond though and Balmey did tell Benny not so long ago that the big decisions are made at club level.
* Benny would be too reasonable though [for the AFL]. Would he make these decisions like the standing on the mark rule and moving one inch? Don't think he would. They'd probably not like that.
