Richmond CEO Brendon Gale says he is confident in the path the Club is taking, despite the weekend’s loss to Gold Coast in Cairns.
On an exclusive web chat on richmondfc.com.au, the latest in a series of chats with key Club figures, Gale said he empathised with the fans, but stressed the Tigers have the big picture in mind.
“It was incredibly disappointing to get beaten last week, and we totally understand how our supporters feel,” Gale said.
“The whole Club is bitterly disappointed with the loss, and we won’t be making any excuses. The team had worked its way into a winning position and, as our coach Damien Hardwick said post-match, the players simply didn’t execute as they should have in the final minutes of the game.
Relay the entire web chat with Brendon Gale
Relay the entire web chat with Brendon Gale
“However, it doesn’t change the confidence we have in the path we are taking.
“We are more competitive than we have been in a long time. We have won seven games, and lost another seven by less than 21 points.
“We have beaten Hawthorn and Sydney, so we have seen genuine improvement. There is a lot of football left in this season and we look forward to the challenge, as I know our players do.”
Gale said the decision to play home games in Cairns from 2011-13 was made in the best interests of the football club, in regards to building its financial strength.
“The decision was taken for a number of reasons, one being our weakened financial position and the critical need for the Club to build its financial resources, and in so doing allow us to invest in our football department,” Gale said.
“An improved financial position allows us to provide our players with the coaching and resources they require to build on the clear improvement we have seen in the past two years. It will also assist us to be active during free agency, to build the depth of our playing list, and retain our high-quality players.
“It is in the best interests of the Richmond Football Club to build our financial strength now, and the decision was based on our needs.
“The Cairns deal, coupled with the Fighting Tiger Fund and our improved operating performance will allow us to make significant inroads into our debt this year, make further critical investments in our football department and bring us closer to our stated aim of a standalone reserves team.”
Richmond intends to see out the final year of its commitment to play a home game in Cairns in 2013, and has made no further plans beyond that.
