The (Actual) Summary:
- How are things at Belmore? Going good - had a long preseason like everybody. Good to have a Trial last weekend and look at some blokes that haven't played in a few months. Good things from trial but things to work on as well.
- What impact did the trial have? The covid last year meant the end of the roster didn't let the end of the roster have a run. We train at game speed. 50% or so of roster hadn't played together.
- Settled on team yet? Yes - pretty well settled. Luke Thompson missing out due to suspension, a few blokes back who didn't play in trial will be in Round 1. Some combinations will come along.
- Averillo? Back doing full contact - hoping to be back for round 1. Napa and RFM are close to being declared fully fit. Won't be an issue with KMs in legs - been able to run. Just contact stuff need to work on.
- Learnings from Manly? Learned alot. Can't go through them all - biggest thing is to be patient. Want to win tomorrow/ win GFs tomorrow - it's the big goal but there's going to be bumps along the way. Need to build towards being a top 4/ semis team every season. Make sure we have the right players in the right positions at the right age etc. Believes we are on the right track.
- Put any team goals for this year? Continuous improvement. Don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow, get through today's training/ wrestle/ video. Be able to nail whatever we're doing, be it preseason/ training/ game day. Focus on the now.
- What do you like about Flanno? His toughness - shone the past few months and weekends. Need to take the pressure off and let the spine have an even share - particularly kicking game. The more the spine plays together, the better they will be. Mentioned half the team haven't played together yet. Will get better as the season progresses.
- Impact of the new rules on the upcoming season? Made it different - how do you get the ball in good ball. About 10 restarts on average last season - only 2 on the trial, but then had 10 good ball scrums which was more than expected. All teams will adapt. Teams with most settled spines will flourish (Mentioned Souths) being able to play off the cuff. The game of chess has been taken out a little bit as more teams can transition into good ball areas. Will take time as we have new combinations.
- As a HC - more than just coaching (Elliot issue)? The response has been really good. Put his hand up and fronted up straight away. Put the club in a position we didn't want to be. Having experience in being in similar situations helps. Put things into perspective, from a player, club, fan, media, member view - made decisions collaboratively as a board and a footy club. Reached a decision we all agreed on. If there's any future issues, will follow the same process. Very happy with the board - doing everything together - Aaron (CEO) is doing a really good job, great bloke. Making patient decisions and thinking of every outcome before making a decision.
- Reports of rumblings from players... how are you handling it/ frustrating? How does Baz respond? Baz: "You don't respond" - he knows all the rumblings are BS. Whatever happens in the house is our business and we'll get on with it - people have to write their columns. Are you all pulling in the right direction? Yes we are mate.