Albury visit by Greg Westaway

[hellorocky]

Firstly, fantastic support from around 50 people today, great effort for a workday.

Greg was met at the airport by the local TV and interviewed, they also caught footage of some supporters going in to the meeting, he thought it best not to allow media in as people may not speak up with them there.

Answered questions for about 1 ½ hours. Also wanted to know what we wanted from the club as a supporter group – we want country family days, players etc, much the same as other areas said. Acknowledged that it was important for kids to meet players etc

I did ask if the leaking of info to Caroline Wilson will continue, answer – no, he wouldn’t say who it was but it will never happen again.

Moorabbin was spoken about a lot, he would get working on the redevelopment from day one.

Basically most people were of the opinion that Rod Butterss had too much baggage that was damaging off field and it surely must flow on through the whole club. The profits were fancy accounting with written down values of stands etc.

Greg’s board has no business dealings with each other, they don’t socialise apart from game days etc.

Staff are paid very poorly for putting in mega hours.

He hopes that once he is President that we will see and hear from him very little, much like about 13 other clubs (you work out the other 2)

As said in other post Fraser's dad attended. If the player's parents and are supporting the new board then that must say something.

Greg did say that his board will get in and he will be president, he gave the breakdown of numbers. There is absolutely no way Butterss' board can stay and Greg will be angry if the current board do a mailout and force a meeting, which all costs money. The SFF is privately funded and has not cost the club money.

Anyone else there, feel free to add...

[saintsRrising]

Thanks for the summary.

However I am confused about the mailout comment. I would assume that irrespective of the meeting date that the Club would have to officially write to all members????? whether this be to advise of the resolution moved by Gdanski......or a spill of postions as proposed bt the Board.

Now if the Board resigned....yes that would save a mailout.

[aussierules0k]

[hellorocky]

As I understand it, SFF already had enough proxies to become the new board, whether happens at an EGM, AGM or the current board resigns.

Greg has over 8200 legitimate proxies and a great pile of invalid ones. If the current board mail out to the (approx) 22000 voting members, the mailout will go to exactly the same members that SFF's mailout went to, including the same invalid ones. (The database is another story).

In non-compulsory voting, approx 40% will be bothered - that would be 8800. The other 60% will be away on holidays, changed address, couldn't be bothered, don't care or don't know how to vote. In any previous voting by any AFL Club the most votes were 16000 out of 48000

Which ever way you look at it, Greg and his new board are already in, just a matter of how soon and how it will happen.

Will it happen before the B & F, who knows?

[Saint Bev]

As I understand it, SFF already had enough proxies to become the new board, whether happens at an EGM, AGM or the current board resigns.

Greg has over 8200 legitimate proxies and a great pile of invalid ones. If the current board mail out to the (approx) 22000 voting members, the mailout will go to exactly the same members that SFF's mailout went to, including the same invalid ones. (The database is another story).

In non-compulsory voting, approx 40% will be bothered - that would be 8800. The other 60% will be away on holidays, changed address, couldn't be bothered, don't care or don't know how to vote. In any previous voting by any AFL Club the most votes were 16000 out of 48000

Which ever way you look at it, Greg and his new board are already in, just a matter of how soon and how it will happen.

Will it happen before the B & F, who knows?

Interesting, if this is correct, surely it would be better to get this over and done with ASAP so the club can move on?

[joffaboy]

Greg did say that his board will get in and he will be president, he gave the breakdown of numbers. There is absolutely no way Butterss' board can stay and Greg will be angry if the current board do a mailout and force a meeting, which all costs money. The SFF is privately funded and has not cost the club money.

Interesting. So he doesn't want the board to respond to a challenge.

What a cheek. Denying me the right to vote by proxy.

Typical, just wants to bully his way into the job and F*** the members

Interestingly he wont be heard of after the vote. I would like to hear from all those pro Westaway acolytes in a couple of years when you haven't seen the president - the same thing you are critisising RB for.

[Rice Paper]

Great report Hellorocky,

Reports like these from our other supporter groups clarifies a lot of mis-understanding from supporters.

There was the Caroline Wilson line in your report, what was specifically leaked?

[Rooy_coin]

westaway also said that we could have picked up Judd and Ball in the same draft

[SaintBot]

westaway also said that we could have picked up Judd and Ball in the same draft

that wouldve been all down to luck

The "Phantoms" were saying that Eagles wanted Polak and Freo wanted Sampi but Saints passing on Judd changed that.

What Was Expected:

Pick 1 (Haw) - Luke Hodge
Pick 2 (StK) - Chris Judd
Pick 3 (WCE) - Graham Polak
Pick 4 (Fre) - Ashley Sampi
Pick 5 (StK) - Luke Ball



What Happened:

Pick 1 (Haw) - Luke Hodge
Pick 2 (StK) - Luke Ball
Pick 3 (WCE) - Chris Judd
Pick 4 (Fre) - Graham Polak
Pick 5 (StK) - Xavier Clarke
Pick 6 (WCE) - Ashley Sampi
Pick 7 (Kan) - David Hale
Pick 8 (Gee) - Jimmy Bartel

[Oh When the Saints]

Maybe joffaboy its the fact that Butterss would have to break all sorts of records in the democratic world to become re-elected from this position.

He would need over 80% of members to vote, and would need half of those votes to go to him.

As has been repeatedly stated, it is only between 40 and 50% of people who tend to vote in compulsory elections for anything.

If GW already has 8,200 proxies then it would seem that nothing can change the fact that he is going to win. Do you agree with this (regardless of whether you hate him or not)?

After WWI when voting was made voluntary (after being compulsory), only around 75% of Australians turned out, and this figure declined steadily to around 20% by 1924 when the laws were changed.


Does anyone dispute the following?

Greg has over 8200 legitimate proxies and a great pile of invalid ones. If the current board mail out to the (approx) 22000 voting members, the mailout will go to exactly the same members that SFF's mailout went to, including the same invalid ones. (The database is another story).

In non-compulsory voting, approx 40% will be bothered - that would be 8800. The other 60% will be away on holidays, changed address, couldn't be bothered, don't care or don't know how to vote. In any previous voting by any AFL Club the most votes were 16000 out of 48000

Which ever way you look at it, Greg and his new board are already in, just a matter of how soon and how it will happen.

The numbers are compelling - whether they will drag us into bankruptcy or turn us into the next Collingwood, Westaway and his board are in. Foregone conclusion.

[Cirra]

Typical, just wants to bully his way into the job and F*** the members

F*** the members?? What?
Isn't it the members that voted by proxy for GW??

Interestingly he wont be heard of after the vote. I would like to hear from all those pro Westaway acolytes in a couple of years when you haven't seen the president - the same thing you are critisising RB for.

There is a big difference with hearing all about RB's personal life and just hearing from him about football matters.

The point at the meeting with GW was that alot of football supporters don't even know the name of most AFL Presidents. These guys mosts work behind the scenes and are only heard of when needed.
GW agreed with this point.

[linz]

Greg did say that his board will get in and he will be president, he gave the breakdown of numbers. There is absolutely no way Butterss' board can stay and Greg will be angry if the current board do a mailout and force a meeting, which all costs money. The SFF is privately funded and has not cost the club money.

Interesting. So he doesn't want the board to respond to a challenge.

What a cheek. Denying me the right to vote by proxy.

Typical, just wants to bully his way into the job and F*** the members

Interestingly he wont be heard of after the vote. I would like to hear from all those pro Westaway acolytes in a couple of years when you haven't seen the president - the same thing you are critisising RB for.

I'm in two minds. Initially, after hearing that so many other members had voted for the new mob; I thought it was best to support the majority to minimize the damage & possible in-fighting which would hold the club back. Egos vs Egos. I don't want slang fights & the club doesn't need them. A clean start as soon as possible was appealing.

On reflection, it was disappointing to hear about the drink/drug-taking inuendos from the Westaway group. Also, let's face it; Rod & his board (with or without booze) have done exceedingly well.

I reckon I'll hold on to my proxies & make my mind up when the meeting is held.

[Mr Magic]

westaway also said that we could have picked up Judd and Ball in the same draft

That's totally at odds with what I heard John Beveridge tell a room of 50-60 people (including me).

According to JB we wanted both Ball and Juddand were going to take Judd at pick 2 and Ball at pick 5. We apparently knew that Freo wanted Polak at pick 4. WCE had pick 3 and said they didn't want Judd because he had suspect shoulders, so we adjusted our picks to take Ball at #2 expecting we would get Judd at #5. According to JB, we were 'conned' by WCE.

So if Westaway is saying something else then he is completely cotradicting what JB told a room full of people.

[Eastern]

Typical, just wants to bully his way into the job and F*** the members

F*** the members?? What?
Isn't it the members that voted by proxy for GW??

You must consider joffaboy's philosophy when considering replying to his posts. That being;

NEVER LET THE FACTS GET IN THE WAY OF THE PROPOGANDA

[hellorocky]

Interesting. So he doesn't want the board to respond to a challenge.

What a cheek. Denying me the right to vote by proxy.

Typical, just wants to bully his way into the job and F*** the members Rolling Eyes

Interestingly he wont be heard of after the vote. I would like to hear from all those pro Westaway acolytes in a couple of years when you haven't seen the president - the same thing you are critisising RB for. Rolling Eyes

Firstly - he didn't say he did not want them to respond, I may have worded that a bit wrong - but to try to hang on is clearly a pointless exercise, SFF has the numbers, whichever way anyone looks at it.
SFF have not denied anyone the chance to vote, more so the current board has NOT contacted ANYONE by any means to give them a chance to vote for them.

Also, I have been a member of the Twin City Saints since it's inception over 11 years ago and a St Kilda member for many years before that. Not once has a President graced our border in an official or non official capacity, in fact I've never met Rod, so I won't comment on him as a person. We haven't had a player up here in an official capacity since 2003. From 2004 Grant Thomas 'banned' the visits and told the club to give us something else to keep us happy. In 2004 approx 20 of us were permitted to the rooms prior to a game (once). 2005, nothing. In 2006 and 2007 all supporter groups were given some merchandise to fundraise with. Most supporter groups have struggled to make much money or even keep interest going and to continue our activities, functions are pointless if there are no players! Early 2006, we were very honoured to have the Saints come up here for the community camp. They arrived by train lunchtime Monday and left lunchtime Wednesday. Once again Thomas had 'negotiated' with the AFL to cut the time by 1 day and 1 night. Thomas did not allow the players to attend a casual dinner on the 2nd night because the players were 'tired'! The 1st night was an unforgettable experience, a dinner with all staff and players. Nobody from St Kilda liaised with the supporter group in relation to any of the functions, activities or visits. We were told that the AFL had control over all the arrangements but clearly there should have been more local input.

There was the Caroline Wilson line in your report, what was specifically leaked?

This was just a general question, I have read and listened to her for many years and I remembered many times different people saying how well her inside info was so accurate. It will not happen again, apparently.

Cirra - my thoughts also and most of the 50 there yesterday, we are sick to death of hearing about the RB/GT stuff and seeing RB in the social pages

There you go - I haven't quite worked out this quote stuff, must get more practice

[saintsRrising]

Thanks for the updates Hellorocky...

And hopefully you can score some player visits...

[saint patrick]

Thanks Hellrocky..a great update and confirms the integrityof this group in acting for change...

Butterrs should just swallow his massive ego and move aside if he really has the clubs interests at heart...

but don't hold your breath...and we can not go forward re trading etc until this is sorted by the members

Roll on AGM,EGM anything

[hellorocky]

It's not so much the player visits but the acknowledgment that we bring bring fans, supporters, merchandise sales and membership $$$ to the club.

Greg also said that trading, drafts etc should still happen as usual as the board has nothing to do with it.

And.......someone mentioned that Ken Whiffen at 80 odd years old is leaving/retiring, has this been made public?

[jk23]

And.......someone mentioned that Ken Whiffen at 80 odd years old is leaving/retiring, has this been made public?[/quote]

We talk to Ken at each game at the dome ( we also feed him goodies) and yes is was going to retire but last game he said he was thinking of going another year we are going to ask him at the B&F

[chook23]

It's not so much the player visits but the acknowledgment that we bring bring fans, supporters, merchandise sales and membership $$$ to the club.

Greg also said that trading, drafts etc should still happen as usual as the board has nothing to do with it.

And.......someone mentioned that Ken Whiffen at 80 odd years old is leaving/retiring, has this been made public?

there is a thread with pics with Ken receiving a caricature.

Some great pics- rd 22- Thanks Abe .......posted by saintbrat

[Saint Bev]

Thanks for the feedback Hellorocky. Not easy running a supporter group. In recent years we have lost the Saint magazine, our web site is terrible. A different player each year use to do a diary, doesn't happen any more. Burkie use to do a game wrap up and email to members. Chayne Autumn use to write a report, doesn't happen any more. As time has gone on the supporters are getting less and less.