These are a selection of the questions that you asked online:
Q: Powerage from an online fan forum
How have you found the first couple of months in the job and what do you see as your priorities for the next 12 months?
Keith Thomas: Hectic! I'm pleased with the progress we've made on field, by strengthening our coaching department and with some really targeted player recruitment. The atmosphere at training has been terrific. We are still trying hard to secure our major commercial partnerships for season 2012, and this is definitely now my highest priority. Once they are in position we will shift our focus to preparing the Club for life at Adelaide Oval.
Q: Trebor from online fan forum
What is happening with the Prince of Wales? Is this facility ever going to be a money maker for the club?
KT: The Prince of Wales performed significantly better in 2011, and is currently doing good business for us. I see it as being a very important asset for the Club going forward.
Q: Trebor from online fan forum
Why doesn't the club have 2 games in Darwin with both being Port home games?
KT: Playing home games in Darwin would deny the majority of our members the opportunity to watch their team live at AAMI Stadium. It would also seriously disrupt our corporate offerings in Adelaide. I don't think that would be a good outcome.
So we negotiate for away games to ensure that we can maintain a strong presence in the NT, with the downside being that we can't control the outcome of these discussions. This sometimes results in less NT exposure than we would prefer, as is the case in 2012.
Q: Bionic from online fan forum
How do you currently find outsiders think of the Port Adelaide brand?
KT: When I first arrived, the vibe around Port Adelaide was pretty negative. Unstable, uncompetitive, dispirited. These were all words that have never been associated with the Port Adelaide I had grown up watching, supporting and ultimately competing against.
But perhaps most alarming for me was the lack of clarity that existed around what the Port Adelaide brand 'should' stand for. I think this confusion probably began when our AFL presence commenced and has been gradually growing ever since. I think the 'We Are Port Adelaide' campaign is helping us to focus on the right things.
Port Adelaide is a magnificent Club. We are represented by two teams who believe in the values that the Club was built on - fiercely competitive, never say die, uncompromising in its pursuit of on field success. It is also about the people who so passionately support us, week in week out, win, lose or draw. The campaign honours our supporters and members and says 'We Are Port Adelaide...and proud of it!!!
Q: Matrix from online fan forum
Has the PAFC lobbied the AFL to play a pre season game at Alberton?
KT: We have in the past I believe. The AFL is keen for all Clubs to get out into the regional areas for pre season.
Q: Shane McMillan from Facebook
Where do you stand on Port having a reserves team compete in the SANFL??
KT: There is no doubt the football guys believe it would be a good thing. As with most things there are pros and cons and we would be foolish not to be doing our due diligence on the idea. The reality is however, that it simply is not a major priority at this stage. There are many, many things that we need to do, before seriously considering such a move.
Q: James Francis from Facebook
What's your goal for average home attendance and what marketing and other strategies are you going to employ to achieve that goal?
KT: We've got a real challenge in this area. To be honest, an average crowd number across the year of around 23,000 is the bare minimum. It should be 30,000 plus every week, and we'd expect it to be going into Adelaide Oval. For this season we will be concentrating heavily on making the match day experience great for the kids and families, and reminding people that the best way to secure the seat you want at Adelaide Oval is to join as a member and come to the games this year and next.
Q: Joel Pavy from Facebook
Why are we not getting Fev?
KT: When every Club in the league thinks the same way, I think it's telling you something. He simply did not fit with our plans.
Q: Matthew Agius from Facebook
Keith, is the long term view for the "united" PAFC to operate as two separate 'brands' or to combine the two into a single brand?
KT: One Club. Two teams. Connected by the shared values of the Club and its supporters.
Cathryn McDonald from Facebook
How is moving to Adelaide Oval going to make the club financially stable?
KT: Better stadium returns. Improved corporate offerings. Central location should enhance crowds. Great atmosphere should attract the impartial follower as well as the loyal supporters.
Q: Jan Hayes from Facebook
Can you tell me if the back in black has been successful in helping to pay of some of our debt and will it continue next year?
KT: Yes, Back in Black was an enormous success, supported by thousands of true Port Adelaide people. There will be some low level debt reduction activity this year.
Q: Portology from online fan forum
What specific things are we doing to try to make the best of our relationship with the media?
KT: Our relationships with the media are on the whole very good. Our club operates in an environment of intense scrutiny and that can be difficult, especially when our performance is sub-standard. We will continue to develop our relationships with the media, accepting criticism when it is warranted and having a go back when we need to. For the criticism we sometimes get, the media also provides our club and its many partners with extraordinary exposure that is very often positive.
Q: FishingRick04 from online fan forum
Being a Norwood servant how have you found being at PAFC and how has working for Port changed your views on our club?
KT: I've enjoyed every minute of it. I love the passion of the place, and its history and I've been made to feel very welcome (most of the time!!!) We just need to make sure that as a Club we are not divided against each other - we can't succeed in this league unless everyone is pulling together. I can feel the Club building again and the work that's going on behind the scenes by people like Tim and George and Russell and Bazz, is just incredible.
Q: PhoenixPower from online fan forum
How are Port Adelaide preparing for the upcoming changes in Free Agency rules, and how do you feel it will affect a smaller market team like Port Adelaide vs the big clubs like Collingwood, Carlton, West Coast etc?
KT: We need to be careful. The reality is that the financially stronger teams will have an advantage in the free agency era. But it's never been any different.
Port Adelaide simply must put itself on a better footing financially to remain competitive. And this is not just about getting to Adelaide Oval. We've got to do business better every day. We've got to treasure our members and treat them brilliantly every day. We've got to play better and be competitive all the time. We've got to protect our brand and heritage at all costs. We've got to keep our best players and staff at Port Adelaide by caring for them and investing in their future. All of these things matter if you want to create a culture that people want to be a part of.
Q: Bomberclifford from online fan forum
Are you an advocate of our heritage being the biggest advantage we have in marketing the PAFC? If so, what other strategies do you envision to leverage this advantage?
KT: Heritage is a big part of it, but not all. I think the Club’s values and its standards are the most important messages we need to get out there. And they should flow through every internal and external communication.
Q: Jonts from online fan forum
To potential sponsors, what are some of the key values of Port Adelaide that you try to sell?
KT: History of unparalleled success, strong and loyal supporter base, working class values, sophisticated business practices, unique Club ethos, powerful commitment to community
