PORT ADELAIDE CEO Keith Thomas chatted on Adelaide radio on Thursday morning to discuss the ever-changing football landscape.
Here are the key takeaways from Thomas’ interview:
Thomas on the season going ahead:
“This is unique in its nature and we are going to have to be pretty good to get through it.
“I really like the idea that we are having a crack at moving forward. I think everyone in the community is faced with the same challenge.
“How do we manage the disruption that this virus is causing? I like that when we are playing it gives us purpose. It gives us normality. And I think it says something about our sport. We are trying to work our way through it.
“I suspect this year will be highly disrupted, but we are going to push our way through and complete the season.
“I think it’s been great leadership from Gil (McLaughlan) and the AFL.
Thomas on the protocols in place to try and protect the players:
“The precautions that are in place for our players have been in place for 2-3 weeks.
“They extend from a quarantine facility to the way in which we are breaking them up into small groups to train. The coaching meetings are all being zoomed (video conference call) in.
“All of the administration staff are working from home. We are advising them on how to monitor the relationships at home. They are really well briefed.
“We will try and get them in and out of the airport without having to interact with anyone. We will get them into hotels on quarantined floors.
“There isn’t a group in the community who are better placed to work through this. It’s not full-proof, but we are doing all that we can.
Thomas on what the club is trying to do with bringing coverage of the game to its members and fans:
“One of the principals we have adopted here was to stop thinking about what we don’t have, and focus on what we do have.
“And what we still have is a footy team. We still have a game. We do have members who are wanting to consume the game in a different way.
“Our challenge is how do we bring the game in its current form to our members in a way that’s interesting and compelling?
“We are working really hard on that. It’s changing the way we are thinking about that responsibility, and I suspect we will learn things through this period that will improve us going forward.
“We will definitely be giving our members a different look at the inner-runnings of our team and its preparation. It will be something to look forward to.
Thomas on the humbling sentiment received from the club’s members:
“That’s the sentiment we are feeling, and to be honest it is very humbling.
“The Port Adelaide family has consistently done this over its long journey, and when it happens you just feel unbelievably proud of the community.
“Our feeling is they want to stick with us. They know this is a tough time. They want to help wherever they can.
“The reality is also that just about everyone in the entirety of the state, the country, the world are being impacted by this, and we aren’t blind to the fact that we are the only ones affected.
“We are going to have to remain flexible, but right now the sentiment is people are just saying - how can we help?
Thomas on the affects the virus will have on the club:
“I have crunched the numbers and the reality is the cost across the year will be millions and millions and millions.
“The other reality is, there is no way you can cover that level of revenue loss. This will take years to recover from. We already understand and accept that.
“Our immediate task is to find a way to manoeuvre our way through the next three months, and we are going to have to do some things that are tough and unpleasant, but we are going to try and share that sacrifice.
“We just have to find a way through. This is a really big moment. It’s a tough spot.
“I don’t want to position Port Adelaide as different. Every sporting club and virtually every business in the country is feeling the same way.
Thomas on the feeling from the senior coach and the players:
“Ken is in a fantastic frame of mind.
“We are just approaching this season as we have from the start which is to beat the Gold Coast in round 1 and then get on with it.
“Kenny likes the idea of the shortened quarters - he’s up for that.
“The footy program has been focussed on the Gold Coast all summer.
“They know they are a threat and particularly early in the season, they have shown they have a bit to play with.