Back on topic.
Make no mistake, this next phase of leadership at the club is the most significant in our history. Why? Because for nearly 20 years, we never looked like ever winning a flag or being a powerful club, as Geelong has created, and Hawthorn are creating with the success they've shared. You could add Sydney to that lot, too.
The decisions made from here on will have massive ramifications to this club, not just because we have to get better, but importantly to transition and transform this club from a VFL club to a truly modern day AFL club.
I remember in the 70's, 80's, and in the early to mid 90's, I used to walk to Princes Park to watch our home games, and knew we would win, no matter who we were playing. It was a case of margin. Of course, we were always guttered when we lost on the rare occassion at PP, but knew whoever we faced the week after we'd bounce back. That feeling knowing of whichever player walked into this club, we would turn them into, at worst, a very serviceable player. WE HAVE LOST THIS SINCE THE EARLY TO MID 90's. We have failed to transition this club from that successful era to a modern day AFL Club. A bit like Nokia - the dominant player in the mobile phone market for such a long time, held onto this thinking, and failed to evolve, and now just NOKIA who (oh, that company, what happened to them?)
I want that feeling of walking to the MCG/Etihad knowing that we are going to win, that no matter who we recruit, we turn them into serviceable/good/great/champion players, and our membership is thriving and growing with the banished members returning and hearing that massive roar when we win a game or hit the front in a game against one of our arch rivals.
All the above is not easy to acheive. In fact, its difficult, but not impossible. We just need to be smart and have the right people on board to make the right decisions to make the above happen, which comes back to my earlier point, this is the most important phase of our club, and we cannot afford to mess it up.
Mark and the board will have their work cut out - make no mistake, and I hope they lead and return the club to a true AFL Powerhouse, one that resembles and is better than what Geelong, Hawthorn, or even Sydney have built.
MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
_________________ For some silly reason, you people want to assassinate him, and it's just rubbish. You people. All of you, ALL of you!
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