Why the Tigers are sticking tight
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
1:59:23 PM Wed 13 August, 2003
Richmond president, Clinton Casey, has detailed why the Club is taking such a strong stance in support of coach Danny Frawley and his back-up team.
Casey said Frawley and co. had a clear plan for the future that needed to be fully supported at this point, to give the Tigers their best chance of creating a period of sustained success.
"Understandably, I suppose, we are copping our fair share of flak from outside the Club right now. While some would have you believe that we are a bit shaky and vulnerable, I want to assure our members and supporters that, from the inside, the resolve is strong and the group is rock-solid," Casey said.
"Danny Frawley has been with this group of players for the last four years and has a better understanding of each individual player, and the overall list, than any other person.
"He undoubtedly has the players' respect and he's had the opportunity to see each of them at their best and worst -- and under different levels of intensity. We firmly believe he is now in the best position to critically assess our list and understand the type of players that we need to recruit in order to be consistently competitive with the top teams of the competition."
Casey added that the Club's Football Department, which underwent significant change at the end of last season, was well equipped to assist Frawley in making the necessary changes to the playing list in this year's draft and trade period.
"Most of this group have contracts until the end of the 2004 season, and it is our intention to fully support them, to give them the best opportunity to fulfil their plan throughout that time," Casey said.
"And, let me assure you -- they are under no illusions as to what they need to show us, starting with the trade period and draft in the next couple of months. They have to prove that they have the capacity to deliver on their plan and to add to the young talent we already have, through the likes of Coughlan, Krakouer, Newman, Rodan, Zantuck, Chaffey and Ottens.
"Those players are the future of the Richmond Football Club. We must generate further excitement among our fans by recruiting and developing more quality young players and I'm extremely confident our experienced off-field team will deliver on their promises.
Casey also sought to clarify a comment he made in an interview with the Herald-Sun early this week that "The performance on the weekend (against St Kilda) only highlighted the fact that we're on the right track, and we will get it done".
"It was meant in the context that the style of play, types of players and the lack of intensity that was evident at Telstra Dome last Saturday night, have all been identified as issues we need to rectify at the end of this season," Casey said.
"All the worst elements which led to that insipid performance were clear to see and when those essential changes are made, we will be on the right track."
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
1:59:23 PM Wed 13 August, 2003
Richmond president, Clinton Casey, has detailed why the Club is taking such a strong stance in support of coach Danny Frawley and his back-up team.
Casey said Frawley and co. had a clear plan for the future that needed to be fully supported at this point, to give the Tigers their best chance of creating a period of sustained success.
"Understandably, I suppose, we are copping our fair share of flak from outside the Club right now. While some would have you believe that we are a bit shaky and vulnerable, I want to assure our members and supporters that, from the inside, the resolve is strong and the group is rock-solid," Casey said.
"Danny Frawley has been with this group of players for the last four years and has a better understanding of each individual player, and the overall list, than any other person.
"He undoubtedly has the players' respect and he's had the opportunity to see each of them at their best and worst -- and under different levels of intensity. We firmly believe he is now in the best position to critically assess our list and understand the type of players that we need to recruit in order to be consistently competitive with the top teams of the competition."
Casey added that the Club's Football Department, which underwent significant change at the end of last season, was well equipped to assist Frawley in making the necessary changes to the playing list in this year's draft and trade period.
"Most of this group have contracts until the end of the 2004 season, and it is our intention to fully support them, to give them the best opportunity to fulfil their plan throughout that time," Casey said.
"And, let me assure you -- they are under no illusions as to what they need to show us, starting with the trade period and draft in the next couple of months. They have to prove that they have the capacity to deliver on their plan and to add to the young talent we already have, through the likes of Coughlan, Krakouer, Newman, Rodan, Zantuck, Chaffey and Ottens.
"Those players are the future of the Richmond Football Club. We must generate further excitement among our fans by recruiting and developing more quality young players and I'm extremely confident our experienced off-field team will deliver on their promises.
Casey also sought to clarify a comment he made in an interview with the Herald-Sun early this week that "The performance on the weekend (against St Kilda) only highlighted the fact that we're on the right track, and we will get it done".
"It was meant in the context that the style of play, types of players and the lack of intensity that was evident at Telstra Dome last Saturday night, have all been identified as issues we need to rectify at the end of this season," Casey said.
"All the worst elements which led to that insipid performance were clear to see and when those essential changes are made, we will be on the right track."
