Quite impressed with his performance (and I haven't been his biggest fan media-wise this year). He copped a few from Mike and Gerard, especially on the Sheedy and Bartlett saga and he had straight confident answers, didn't flounder at all.
Said the club has improved significantly off-field in his time and would show another 7 figure profit this year. Football Dept has gone from 13 to 23 personnel and will be 26 next year.
On field has been disappointing this year - expected the team to make the finals.
No issues with Sheedy or Bartlett - rang them both as soon as he was aware of their negative media comments and all is good. Couldn't make an interview when Bartlett had his sook - he was overseas in meetings - rang the station as soon as he got out and offered to answer any questions then. He is always happy to talk to the media.
He wanted Sheedy to go through the process, was disappointed when he pulled out. Said he thought Sheedy would have been aware of the comments early in the year given that Hutchy had published them.
We have about 12-13 who will be interviewed and he has a very open mind about it. Said the club won't be swayed from the process - we have a very definite idea of what we want and we will exhaust the process in an effort to be sure that we get the right man. Not worried at all about North/Buckley - said North probably want a different type of coach to us anyway. He won't be involved in the process until it is down to the last couple.
Spoke glowingly of Cameron and his work in redefining the Footy Dept. Also praised Francis Jackson as a high quality recruiter.
Said Bowden wouldn't be given a 'farewell' game as such and that he would earn his spot back like all other players - mentioned King and McMahon here. Backed Rawlings call that all players would have to get back via hard work at Coburg.
Said that any decision on Richo would be made by the List Committee but it would be a brave person to tell Richo that it was all over!
In general, he was very good in responding to some hard and pointed questioning, especially from Mike and Gerard. I didn't once think he was crapping on or telling lies - his responses and gestures were too quick and confident for that. He also had to correct them (Mike especially) a few times on incorrect facts that they tried to bring up - made them look a bit silly a couple of times.
