Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has provided an interesting insight into the Tigers’ 2015 season, both on-field and off-field, as well as their future prospects.
The Club had a record membership and record crowds in 2015, finished fifth on the ladder after the home-and-away rounds, with 15 wins, but suffered a disappointing elimination final loss to North Melbourne.
“Off-field, it was another really solid year. We continue to grow the business and that’s great . . . we’ve got to the stage now – we don’t take it for granted – but I think we do that well,” Gale told Tiger great Matthew Richardson in a ‘Roar Vision’ interview at this week’s Jack Dyer Medal count.
“But, ultimately, what we’re here to do is support our footy team, and we want to see them perform.
“It would have been great to have won a final or two, and got a bit deeper into September, but we didn’t. And, we’ve got to be pretty brutal about why we didn’t.
“We’re going through that process at the moment . . . we’ll address those things.
“But we can’t lose sight of the fact we did a hell of a lot right . . .
“We’ve got a long way to go, but we should be encouraged by what we achieved this year.
“I’ve never been more confident, never been stronger, about our future.
“We’re really narrowing our focus now. We’re doing everything we can to make sure we become a better football team, and to take that leap forward as a football team because, after all, that’s what we’re here to do.”
Gale also signalled Richmond’s intention to be much more active in the AFL’s upcoming trade period.
“Last year, post-season, we copped a bit of flak. People wondered whether we were accepting mediocrity . . . are we doing enough to improve our list, are we happy with where we’re at,” Gale said.
“Well, we’re not. But we made a decision that the draft last year was very, very strong.
“So we wanted to remain in that draft, and we think in three or four years’ time we’ll see the fruits of that.
“This year, it was always our intention, forecasting forward, to be a little more active.
“We’ve been in the market for a few players and, at this stage, it probably hasn’t worked out the way we wanted.
“But, make no bones, we are working very, very hard.
“As I said, we’ve got a brutal approach to where we’re at in terms of our list, and we’re working very, very hard to address those needs. And, we’ll continue to do so.”
Total Tiger focus on taking next step
Richmond CEO Brendon Gale has provided an interesting insight into the Tigers’ 2015 season, both on-field and off-field, as well as their future prospects.