It can all change so quickly. A superstar emerges and a few outstanding young players, and suddenly the whole place is buzzing. I’m very sceptical of this whole 5 year development plan stuff. It works for things like club infrastructure, financing, administration, etc, but for on-field success everything depends on the playing group, and trying to predict where any team’s playing group will be in 5 years time is a hopeless adventure. If Caddy turns out to be a star or Jones finally comes good (or both!), Mackay and Reid become pillars down back, Durham, Setterfield and Stringer start killing it in the midfield, then why shouldn’t we be looking at something very big this year?
I’m not saying that all or any of the above are going to happen, but all of them might happen. I’m not an optimist, but I’m not a pessimist either. Let’s be open-minded. Don’t expect the best, but hope for the best.
I agree, i was the same as a kid, no matter what i did i couldn’t get that extra range. It’s important because any time you try to hit a longer kick, it either has more air time or it floats trying to get the extra distance. Guys with good penetration but poor accuracy are much easier to teach, Humphrey this year a good example of that.
I wasn’t suggesting the location of family day.
I didn’t care less when it was in a park in Moonee Ponds.
Agreed on the Museum, although I didn’t say it was bad, I said disappointing.
Yep, the Hangar is a facility of the highest order but it’s not a place that fans feel attached to. My experiences at the place have always been underwhelming. It just doesn’t feel like a ‘Club’ to me. A headquarters (yes), a state of the art facility (yes) but not a Club. It’s not welcoming. I think the cafe and surrounds are poor, the spectator facilities are poor and obviously access.
I honestly think the Club are resigned to the fact they will need to invest in Windy Hill to maintain it for future generations as the spiritual hub. The hub for our community that The Hangar can’t be. Abd that’s fine, it just means the Club is hamstrung compared to its rivals like Carlton, Richmond, Geelong, Bulldogs etc in easily connecting with their fanbase in ways other than matchday and digital platforms. It’s a disadvantage though.
Now, some say who cares, just win games. Many others argue a Clubs culture, connection with its community and the whole connectivity of the fans to its club relies on a destination that its community can congregate to. Isn’t it a pity the Windy Hill precinct wasn’t 30% larger and we could build an Essendon community ‘home’ at Windy Hill? I guess we can’t have everything we want!
Correct. Looking at what clubs have done with their new facilities highlights this doesn’t it. Look at what the Lions created at Springfield. It also presents business possibilities for matches and events. And obviously the Tigers are perfectly placed to build the perfect community / facility at Punt Road.
Look, we got a couple of shade-cloths and benches… But let’s be honest, it’s rather hhrrmmm, average!
Doubt we’ll be moving from Tulla any time soon so you may be better off just suggesting what the Club should invest in at Tulla to make it more member friendly……eg bars, function rooms, improved eateries, better / more expansive ground seating, multi story carpark etc etc
Perkins has belief in his ability to outplay his opponent, and he has the rare ability that a few superstars do, to regularly run through a tackle and have them fall off. I’ve always believed he’ll be a very good player, and we’re beginning to see it.
Tsatas had an interview before the draft where he told the media if he was a team with the top pick, he’d pick himself. There’s ego, then there’s just pure belief that you’re better than your opposition. Tsatas has that. If he keeps that, along with his natural abilities, he’ll go a long way. I have high hopes for the young man.
Video of that Setterfield snaps. Shows how well Perky is holding Durham and then peals off and tackles Setterfield. Perky is a natural contest beast.
There is also a video of Durham ripping through a contest and Parish and Langford getting involved. Love it.
The Hangar is not all that bad. Just spare a thought for Hawthorn fans, when they go for a “family club day” down at Dingley. Remote, in the middle of the green wedge, in a sand mining/ rubbish tip zone. No public transport, limited parking, 5km from the nearest rail. Middle of nowhereFark Hawthorn anyway.
That’s true. They will have the same challenge as us trying to make it feel like a Club.
One point of difference though. It will have a grandstand for spectators, media and TV / radio / broadcasting facilities and I will be interested to see how they go creating a genuine, comfortable and attractive cafe, restaurant, function venue etc.
The Dingley site is comparable to Tulla. Can they find a way to make it feel like a ‘Club’?
True. I’m a bit of a broken record on this but why haven’t we heard from any of the coaches? Not even the assistants? I mean, no distractions for footy dept and all that but I want to hear how preseason is progressing and tbh, only the coaches can really give us some depth and insights.
Even Bevo and Des Hasler fronted the media last week! And they’re real ‘cavemen’!
I hear you but I also recognise that it’s important to some people, especially the kids (re family day).
The problem that I keep hearing is that other clubs are better run and engage with their fanbase better, even the ones that have less money to throw around.
We’re still locked in to that corporate entity mindset that Xavier and the likes steered us in to.