I have attended many of these nights…as a supporter…as a player… as a Captain, as a premiership Captain…and as a Coach.
And what amazes me every year is the sense of excitement and hope that we all feel at the start of a new season.
That sense of hope is what keeps fans going – no matter what happened last year, or even what has happened pre-season, the first siren of the first game of the first round calls us all to attention – a new year starts - new players, new hopes, new game plans, new dreams of success. We all start afresh.
Of course, this season does also start with challenges for the Essendon Football Club, and I want to acknowledge these challenges upfront.
Our club is going through very challenging times – an ASADA and AFL investigation –and a review into the club’s governance and processes. Even as we stand here to celebrate the new season, we can’t pretend this isn’t happening.
My family and this football club means everything to me, and I will do everything that is in my power to get the club through this difficult time.
That means being the best coach I can be to this wonderful team of young men who wear our colours so proudly.
That is what you, the members expect of me and what I will deliver.
It has been a tough time – and in this tough time, I have been reminded what this club really stands for.
It is the black and red – it is the name, the Essendon Football Club – it is the spirit, the community, the history, the staff, the players, the volunteers, the members and the values. The essence of Essendon is the people.
And that is what is keeping us going.
I have seen the deeper side of Essendon coming to the fore during the last few weeks. The overwhelming support from our sponsors, the members who have emailed, written letters and rung up the club supporting us, it’s every one of you sitting here tonight proud of your colours and proud of your club. Like I am.
We will fight and we will be a better football club as a result. We will do everything in our power to ensure our great club will get through this.
I especially want to thank the players. Every one of them has proved to be a leader in the last few weeks, and they have supported each other and been focussed and disciplined. It has been humbling to be the coach of this team over the past few weeks.
And let me tell you our players have worked extremely hard during the pre-season to prepare for the year ahead.
As an Essendon supporter, there is a lot to be excited about.
Michael Hurley taking big strong marks, Paddy Ryder crashing packs, Michael Hibberd dashing out of defence, Stu Crameri kicking the impossible goal, the courage of Ben Howlett, the skill of Dyson Heppell…
Dustin Fletcher, who will play his 21st season in the red and black.
Brendon Goddard, who will don the famous red sash for the first time.
And our captain, reigning Brownlow Medalist Jobe Watson, who will once again lead our players out into battle…
We are a proud football club, and I’m proud to be the coach of a group of players that have been nothing short of exceptional in the way they have trained, prepared and focused on the job at hand.
So here is my promise to you, the supporters and members for Season 2013.
I will work with this wonderful team to find the best in them and the best in our club.
I have been reminded over the last few weeks by wise and strong people from around the club that it is easy to stand up and be counted when things are going well – it is of course much harder to stand up and be counted when things are tough and you are under pressure.
And that is what makes us a great club – our members and supporters stick with us in the tough times as well as the good, and as my wife told me, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger - I learnt this on the football field, and we will draw on this in the coming months.
I owe the club so much, and over this season I will make sure that I lead the team in the best way I can, and I know that I can do that with your support and the support of our proud, passionate and loyal members.
I love this club, it is my life, always has been and always will be.
