As we work through the last week of the trade period, and the playing and coaching group start to think about packing their winter woolies for the forthcoming trip to Milan and London, I'd like to spare a thought for some quality people who have left the Club over the past 4 weeks.
Football is a fast moving, high performance industry and there is often very little time to sit back and reflect. At times, this penchant to keep moving forward can get in the way of recognising the contribution that many people make to our Club. Over time, I'd like to think that we can get better at farewelling outstanding servants of the Club.
Board Members
Earlier this month, 4 long-term Board members resigned from their positions after years of dedicated service to the Club.
David Basheer, Mick O'Connor, Bruce Abernethy and Nick House together with ex-President Brett Duncanson - who had previously signalled his intention to stand down earlier - have navigated Port Adelaide through some of its toughest and most significant challenges.
This period will go down in history as the moment that Port Adelaide finally united again as One Club and helped set in place the opportunity to return football to Adelaide Oval.
To their eternal credit, these men initiated and participated in a process designed to rejuvenate and add different skills to the existing Board which ultimately paved the way for David Koch, Ross Haslam, Jamie Restas, and Cos Cardone to join the Club in October.
For the countless hours, the very significant financial support and just simply for the passion you brought to your roles as Directors of Port Adelaide Football Club, thank you.
We look forward to seeing the guys back at the footy next season.
Past Players
At the end of each season, the Club farewells a number of players and it’s a process that never gets any easier.
This year was particularly tough with the free agency trades of Danyle and Troy, and the departure of ‘Sal’, ‘Surj’ and David, all 100-game Port Adelaide players.
At the younger end of the scale, Simon Phillips, Mitch Banner, Jarrad Irons, Mitch Curnow and Daniel Webb were also informed of the Club's decision to remove them from the playing list for season 2013.
Whilst there is a harsh reality about job security as an AFL player that they all understand and accept, there is also the human aspect of this that needs to be considered.
These lads have devoted themselves to fulfilling a dream. It’s a dream that has likely been with them since they were kids and for some of the boys listed above, that dream is now over.
As a Club, we are conscious of the significance of that moment. Not that we can shirk away from making hard calls, but must ensure that we deal with them with the utmost respect and always honour their contribution.
To play AFL footy for Port Adelaide, even just once, is a major achievement. Not all of these players had that opportunity, but each one of them has made a positive impact.
As I have said to the guys this week, once you've been a part of the player’s change room at Port Adelaide, you're always welcome here.
We wish them all well as they pursue the next phase of their careers, and thank them for their contribution here at Alberton.
Coaches
Ken Hinkley, Alan Richardson and Darren Burgess have hit the ground running and been heavily involved while trying to take advantage of a bit of a break for a holiday and relocation.
Ken has been knee-deep in trade discussions, ‘Burgo’ began working with some players last week and is recruiting and building his team, and Alan is preparing to arrive in Adelaide in the next couple of days.
All of the coaching group will assemble in Milan and London next week to begin the process of shaping the new football program. It is an exciting time.
We are also planning to take a couple of our new players on the trip, including Angus Monfries and Jack Hombsch who we are thrilled to welcome to Port Adelaide.
It’s great to have a young NT lad in Jake Neade with us, too. We’ll leave him at home and let him get through Year 12 before putting him to work later in November.
We’re still in the trade mix, but we also think it’s important that we are pretty well placed in the National Draft, in November. Stay tuned.
The Review
I mentioned in my last letter that I was keen to release some of the findings of the review that was conducted throughout 2012. I was hoping to have that done by mid-October, but I've missed that deadline!
The actions being taken are clearly more important than the review itself, but I will have this information to you as soon as I can. My apologies for the delay.
2013 Membership
We will be launching the next phase of our 'We Are Port Adelaide' campaign very soon.
I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but joining as a member of our Club has never been so important.
There is an expectant air of excitement around Alberton at the moment:
New Chairman
New Board
New Coach
New Coaching Director
New High Performance Manager
New Players
New Oval just around the corner
We'll be asking you to join up as members and support the team as passionately as you have always done, but we know our on-field performance is where the majority of talking needs to be done.
October talk is cheap, but I really like what I've seen thus far.
Ken and his team know what they want, and the response from the players to the new coaching group has been very positive.
There is a lot of work to do, but boy there's a lot to look forward to!
So take a good look at the membership options when we put them out there soon, check out the new products and all the information about Adelaide Oval … and jump back on board for season 2013.
Election
If need be, there will be a member election for one position on the Board of Directors in December.
Alex Panas is the member-elected Director standing for re-election after the expiry of his term.
We begin calling for other nominations on Saturday.
Ahead of this, we are writing to all members who are eligible to vote to inform them that we are shifting to on-line elections. It saves the Club money, is easier than some people might think and is very secure in that it will be run by a highly respected independent contractor.
Members can still vote by postal ballot, but will need to opt in to the process by instructions in the letter which is being sent this week.
Europe
Feeling a bit guilty about this one, but my wife and I are off to Europe a few days ahead of the team for a small break.
We'll be joining up with the team in London early next week, after they've spent a few days training in Milan, a section of the trip which the touring group have all personally contributed to.
Looking forward to spending time with the players, coaches, a few of our corporate supporters and about 10,000 ex pats at Kia Oval for the game against the Western Bulldogs, and kicking off our new campaign in style!
Thanks for keeping the faith through the coaching selection process and for your enthusiastic support of the appointments!
I look forward to speaking with you soon.
KT Chief Executive Officer
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