Tonight's AGM

[Enrico_Misso]

First part of my report .......

Very quiet and well mannered AGM with 200+ in attendance.

Here's what happened ….
==========================
Simon Grant chaired it.

Greg Westaway spoke next
- congratulated long term trainer Ken Wiffen on his Titus award
- talked about change
- competitive edge
- get the ducks in a row first
- delighted with 3yr Jeldwen sponsorship
- Frankston in 2010 is a good move
- new endurance staff/expenditure will make a difference
- $198k operating profit is OK
- but becomes $414k loss after extraordinaries
- 25k members is good, 2,500 up on this time last year

Archie Fraser then spoke.
Like last year he gave us a running sheet of what happened in th elast year
- appointed Barker, Silvagni, Rock as assistants
- Harvey's 20th yr and 350th game
- new conditioning coach
- rookies
- Linen House sponsorship
- Sam Gilbert rising star
- won 71/2 out of last 11
- re signed Nick, Dal Santo, Kosi etc.
- New Board
- Nick wins 4th B&F equalling club record
- Hamill retires
- Baker re-signs
- Scheider/Dempster/King/C Gardiner - 3 premierships
- Matt Drain from Footscray to Head up Football Ops
- retirements Thommo, M Clarke, Fraser (edit) and Voss
- paid special thanks to Gehrig's girlfriend for enabling his comeback
- Geary / C Jones elevated
- Draw - 16 games in Melb, none in Tas,
- 16 free to air
- 9 of first 11 at Docklands
- good TV exposure
- move to Frankston a positive - thanked John Gdanski for efforts
- Jeldwen on board for 3 years
- good membership campaign
- worked on 2008 budget and AGM
- "We will deliver"

[TimeToShineFellas]

Did Westaway thank the previous board?

[saintbrat]

thanks enrico misso

love this one
"paid special thanks to Gehrig's girlfriend for enabling his comeback " was that tongue in cheek or fact?

ps how long did the meeting go?

[Enrico_Misso]

2nd part of report

General Business
- accounts carried
- directors Levine and Gdanski re-elected
- amendment of constitution carried
- new auditors approved

Ross Lyon
Arrived in his shorts straight from training.
Spoke really well and confidently

- we are all out to win on Sat night
- Ball/Hayes will be graduated more game time
- conscious that he did not deliver on his promises when he spoke at last years AGM
- Nick speech at the B&F demanding total commitment is a turning point
- resources are now much improved
- new game plan and structure
- concentrating on forward pressure, and quick movement up the central corridor
- goals kicked via the corridor are up 20%
- similarly aiming for more goals kicked from within 30 metres
- Schneider and C Jones add to forward pressure
- King and Gardiner give improvement in rucks
- C Gardiner has been good
- lack of youth when he arrived apart from Gilbert
- now Armitage, Geary, Allen, Van R, Miles
- Greg Hutchinson and Danny Sexton singled out for praise
- we are much fitter
- "Million miles ahead of last year"
- ability to run and compete
- total commitment
- weight of numbers to the ball
- NAB cup hasn't been about Riewoldt and Dal Santo, but rather Armitage, Gilbert, the Clarkes
- Sat night will pretty much be the Round 1 team
- Max will play
- will manage game time to avoid soft tissue problems
- Matt Maguire is an inspiration - he is 300% better than last year
- Goose will start at Casey in one week, back in side in Round 2/3
- Goddard will play for Casey this week - is in good shape
- game plan has been modified, come forward with purpose

[stinger]

excellent...and enjoyable.(to hear).... report ...thanks mate....god i love this club.....

[stinger]

- get the duck in a row first

-

what's that mean mate.....or am i a bit slow.....(don't answer that go)

[iwantmeseats]

Thats all great to hear! Isnt it amazing how things can/have changed for the better in 12 months or so?

[GrumpyOne]

- get the duck in a row first

-

what's that mean mate.....or am i a bit slow.....(don't answer that go)

Awww Sting... I'm sure I owe you one....

[saintsRrising]

- get the duck in a row first

-

what's that mean mate.....or am i a bit slow.....(don't answer that go)

That may from the saying of getting the ducks in a row.......as in to get your house in order

[saintsRrising]

Anyway...with FF...so far so good.

too early to expect everything they promised...but good so far.

A big pat on the back to AF for a good last 12 months.

Only real issue for me so far was in the FF team not all actually making it onto the Board...with substitutes installed on the quiet.

[GrumpyOne]

- get the duck in a row first

-

what's that mean mate.....or am i a bit slow.....(don't answer that go)

That may from the saying of getting the ducks in a row.......as in to get your has in oder

Your Has has an oder?

Try Glen20.

[Enrico_Misso]

Report Part 3 of 4 on AGM

Question Time

Q) With move to Frankston what is the status of our alliance with Casey v Frankston Dolphins v field our own team ?
AF - Casey going well
- Dolphins don't want a merger anyway
- stand alone team is not viable
- Greg Hutchinson doing a great job, works for us

Q) Why did the Moorabbin development fail ?
AF - worked on it for many years
- Council did not support us on gaming machines
- final straw was a legislative change by Vic Govt that required local Council to support our application
- we were prepared to abide by Gaming Council decision on how many machines
- we sought Council to agree to similarly support that decision whatever it may be
- Council would not give that undertaking
- so effectively the Council could veto us
- but that could be 12 months down the track
- that would cost us $1m in holding costs / delayed revenue
- hence recommended to Board that section 189 land application lapse
- that ended prospect of Moorabbin development
- another issue was that on appeal the final decision would be the Vic Gove - Justin Madden
- but as Vic Govt are partially sponsoring the development there is a conflict of interest
- all too hard and too risky

Q) If the AFL goes to 18 teams will the members get a vote (against it) ?
GW - need facts first
- will consult with members
RL (Ross Levin - not Lyon) - we have spoken with the other Presidents
- "All are in favour in principle"
- change is inevitable
- there will be no referendum
- "we (the Board) represent the members and will make decisions on your behalf" (or words to that effect)

Q) Who will hold up the cup with Ross on Sat night ?
RL (Ross Lyon) - Kosi will be acting captain
- his record is 4 out of 4

Q) What will happen to the lease at Moorabbin
AF (Archie) - 75 year lease from 1965 runs out in 2040
- we will honour all aspects of the lease past 2010
- all conditions will be met

[Otiman]

Ross Lyon
- conscious that he did not deliver on his promises when he spoke at last years AGM

What were these promises? I don't recall there being much said about it at the time.

[TimeToShineFellas]

Q) Who will hold up the cup with Ross on Sat night ?
RL (Ross Lyon) - Kosi will be acting captain
- his record is 4 out of 4

That is awesome



Did anyone ask them if they'll smile this time?

[stinger]

) Who will hold up the cup with Ross on Sat night ?
RL (Ross Lyon) - Kosi will be acting captain
- his record is 4 out of 4


now that is great news.....

[Snakeman66]

First part of my report .......
- retirements Thommo, M Clarke, Fraser

Brett Voss?

[saintbrat]

Go Kosi
to borrow from JK23

[plugger66]

) Who will hold up the cup with Ross on Sat night ?
RL (Ross Lyon) - Kosi will be acting captain
- his record is 4 out of 4


now that is great news.....

Is that true is that true or what you hope.

[stinger]

) Who will hold up the cup with Ross on Sat night ?
RL (Ross Lyon) - Kosi will be acting captain
- his record is 4 out of 4


now that is great news.....

Is that true is that true or what you hope.

weren't you paying attention???

[TimeToShineFellas]

) Who will hold up the cup with Ross on Sat night ?
RL (Ross Lyon) - Kosi will be acting captain
- his record is 4 out of 4


now that is great news.....

Is that true is that true or what you hope.

weren't you paying attention???

Careful stinger, plugger is very very strict about people not reading posts properly......



Only joking, plugger!

[Eastern]

Thanks for the report ER. Much more extensive than I would/could have done. I was going to attend but couldn't at the last minute !!

[bigcarl]

Ross Lyon
Arrived in his shorts straight from training.
Spoke really well and confidently

- we are all out to win on Sat night
- Ball/Hayes will be graduated more game time
- conscious that he did not deliver on his promises when he spoke at last years AGM
- Nick speech at the B&F demanding total commitment is a turning point
- resources are now much improved
- new game plan and structure
- concentrating on forward pressure, and quick movement up the central corridor
- goals kicked via the corridor are up 20%
- similarly aiming for more goals kicked from within 30 metres
- Schneider and C Jones add to forward pressure
- King and Gardiner give improvement in rucks
- C Gardiner has been good
- lack of youth when he arrived apart from Gilbert
- now Armitage, Geary, Allen, Van R, Miles
- Greg Hutchinson and Danny Sexton singled out for praise
- we are much fitter
- "Million miles ahead of last year"
- ability to run and compete
- total commitment
- weight of numbers to the ball
- NAB cup hasn't been about Riewoldt and Dal Santo, but rather Armitage, Gilbert, the Clarkes
- Sat night will pretty much be the Round 1 team
- Max will play
- will manage game time to avoid soft tissue problems
- Matt Maguire is an inspiration - he is 300% better than last year
- Goose will start at Casey in one week, back in side in Round 2/3
- Goddard will play for Casey this week - is in good shape
- game plan has been modified, come forward with purpose

this bloke might make a coach! also thanks enrico for your very informative report. once again saintsational and the internet smashes the newspapers

[Enrico_Misso]

Final report on AGM 4 out 4

Note - comments are paraphrased - my understanding/recollection
So sorry for any misquotes.

Question Time continued …..

Q) What is happening about the ongoing redevelopment at Moorabbin (post Frankston decision) ie grandstand demolishing, gaming refurbishment ?
And what is happening about preserving our historical artefacts ?
AF - it (the demolition of the grandstands) should be the landlords responsibility
- in original development Kingston Council was going to pay
- "presumably that have $750k tucked aside for this purpose"
- redevelopment of existing gaming room pending reports incl architect
- architects for Frankston (Bell Thorpe ?) have previously done work for Bulldogs and Collingwood (Lexus centre)
- so they understand need to display our history
- expect pictorial display as well as physical memorabilia

Q) Why did we lose the Vodaphone sponsorship ?
AF - National Mgmt of Vodaphone were keen to recommit for 3 year major sponsorship
- Victorian Vodaphone Mgr decided to over-rule
- Luke Ball Telstra sponsorship was not a major issue
- issue was that Carlton offered via Pratt the chance to tap into a huge network of Visy employees
- Vodaphone head office was disappointed
- but deal then fell through as Optus renewed with Carlton
- this left Vodaphone embarassed and without a sponsor
- eventually they got a one year sponsorship with Kangaroos
(Archie sounded a bit bitter about it, but happy that Jeldwen has worked out well)

The controversial question …
Q) I have no affiliation with the previous board, but I assert that this board would not have had a "Snowflakes chance in hell" of getting elected without riding on the coat-tails of Nathan Bourke and Andrew Thompson. I hope you do well but I am concerned about your lack of experience.
I am putting you on notice to perform.
AF - I back the current board
- as good as any board I have worked with
- we have our "Egos in check"
Applause

Q) Why is aisle 38 ignored by the team after a win - players no longer come over to thank us ?
RL - they are probably too tired
- I will make a note of that
Ross Levin - any other aisles ?
RL - I will rectify that
- "my word is my bond"

Q) Merchandise in recent years has performed badly (revenue down 50% in 2006), is it a staff issue ?
AF - yes we have had problems
- not around staff but around lag time to get quality gear in
- need to have sponsors in place early
- we had ~ $200k of obsolete stock - now cleared out
- moving to web based ordering system
- most stock issues now resolved
- Docklands deal is being renegotiated for next year
- part of that new 5 yr deal will be to try and get a retail outlet in Docklands (like Essendon)


And the usual deep and penetrating question from Ivy
Q) What's going on with getting in the lifts after the game, too crowded, full of cheeky buggers, …
AF - said something about getting a bigger handbag to push her way through
SG - called for next question

Q) Is membership enough, what else are we doing to broaden our revenue stream ?
AF - agreed membership was only part of it
- have set up a sponsorship revenue sub committee
- meet every 2 weeks
- includes experts in various industries incl advertising
- looking to add $2m more sponsorship over 2 years
- looking at targeting consumer goods / electrical / and automotive
- also looking at gaming opportunities
- BUT stressed that there will be NO gaming facilities at Frankston
- club has adopted a moral position on this "no gaming where we train"
- also looking at opportunities of marketing/exploiting/developing our membership database
- as well as membership growth
- and the new 5yr deal being negotiated with Docklands for next year will hopefully give us a gameday retail outlet in the stadium
- sell more merchandise
- 2009 will see some of these marketing initiatives kick into cashflow
- a Premiership will help revenue
- possible opportunities to expand our brand (but not selling home games) should the AFL expand the competition

Q) Well done to the new board, and to Nathan Bourke and Andrew Thompson.
Gives a sugar coating.
Applause

End of Meeting
Go Saints

[Raven]

First part of my report .......
- retirements Thommo, M Clarke, Fraser

Brett Voss?

Yes, he mentioned Voss in the list.

It was my first AGM and I must say I found it very interesting. I'm pretty sure I was easily the youngest there (I'm 26) which surprised me as I thought there'd be a good mix of the younger and older members.

Poor old Archie, it seemed like most of the questions were directed at him (not on purpose) but he's a great public speaker and he handled them all beautifully. Greg seems to say 'right' a lot when he speaks, even when it's not as appropriate.

One other question/answer you didn't cover, Enrico_Misso, was the sponsorship deal with Vodaphone and why it fell through. Archie stressed the rumours were false (that it was to do with Luke Ball's affiliation with Telstra) and it seemed like a bit of a bad calculation on the Vodaphone end, thinking they could get a better deal elsewhere only to be turned down all around. That was my understanding of it, correct me if I'm wrong which I might be.

I wanted to ask the question of "when can we expect some sort of announcement regarding captaincy in '08?" but I didn't get the chance as they asked for just one more question.

Edit: Sorry, I missed your last post where you mentioned Vodaphone. I must have posted at the same time.

[Enrico_Misso]

Did Westaway thank the previous board?

No
He made no reference to the prev board, other than referring to Gdanski and Levin who were re-elected after serving on the prev board.

But by the same token he didn't criticise the prev board.