News

Evans: We must embrace change to grow

Thursday, 15 December 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon Football Club chairman David Evans has told members at tonight's Annual General Meeting that the club needs its supporters to embrace change in order to enable the club to grow both on and off the field.

Evans said Essendon’s ability to continually evolve is critical to the future success and long term vision of the club.

“As we’ve witnessed over the past decade, this game will stand still for no one and if we don’t adapt and move with it, we will quickly get left behind,” Evans said.

“For too long, too many, have been living in the past. The time has come to look to the future.”

Evans said a number of important changes over the last year had helped build an important foundation for strong growth on and off the field.

“We made a commitment to change the football program with the introduction of James Hird and his new coaching panel," he said.

"The performance of the team and overall improvement has provided the club with a great platform to launch our attack on the 2012 season and beyond.

"Change represents a significant opportunity for advancement and we must not become complacent as there is still a lot of hard work ahead of us.”

Evans identified the club’s move to Melbourne Airport as a critical change for the future and urged all members to support the project.

“In our relentless pursuit of a 17th premiership, we must provide our players with the best facilities in the AFL to give them the best possible chance to succeed,” Evans said.

"We are on track to deliver the project on time and on budget but it’s important for members to know that if we are unable to successfully reach our fundraising target – the club maybe forced to take on some debt.

"I can report that cost savings have been found to get the project cost back to $25m without compromising the quality of the project.

"At this point, I must emphasis that if you are unable to give, you don’t have to. If you don’t feel it is your issue and you don’t feel as passionate as I, don’t give. But please don't begrudge the club the right for our members to help."

Tonight’s Annual General Meeting also saw Kevin Egan and Jo-Anne Albert re-elected to the Board.

In other Board changes this year, Paul Brasher joins as Finance Director filling the casual vacancy following the retirement of long standing finance director Tim Jonas.

Essendon premiership player Chris Heffernan also joins the Board and fills the vacancy left by retiring director and former Chairman Ray Horsburgh.

The AGM included the induction of four life members – Reg Burgess, David Collins, Brian Rogers and Merna Slattery.

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Hey Bomber family, big daddy has spoken! Our hierarchy is hard working, full of experience and intelligence, passionate, and just letting us know to enjoy the ride. No promises or predictions. Just going about setting up for future dominance!

- Brad Scarr (posted 15/12/2011 9:17:07 PM)

E.I will the club make a statement about Molly?

- Al Catraz (posted 15/12/2011 9:18:02 PM)

Well said David. No one forced me to donate to this worthy cause. I "chose" to because I love my club and would like to be a part of it as it grows.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 15/12/2011 9:49:29 PM)

David is right, clubs which don't evolve (in a positive direction) risk extinction, like South Melbourne and Fitzroy, and I think before very long, North Melbourne. The socialism of the AFL can only do a certain amount for clubs, it's a very competitive business in which only the fittest can survive in a successful way.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 15/12/2011 9:54:10 PM)

'fraid to say that I think the club over-estimated the depth of the pockets of every-day members. Sometimes supporters have the passion, but not the peso.

- Kris Bayne (posted 15/12/2011 11:05:21 PM)

with fifty thousand member this Year you must be over the Moon David

- MARK JONES (posted 15/12/2011 11:28:31 PM)

Can't understand Why the club can't find a major sponsor to name the venue and raise funds. The club asks for money but the WORLD is in a world of pain right now. People have to meet mortgage payments and other loans,small business are struggling with an uncertain 2012. Everyone will give in time because do or die commitments come first.

- Chris Steffen (posted 16/12/2011 12:18:35 AM)

Well said David Evans, I'm proud and happy to be onboard the Bomber Express!!

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 16/12/2011 1:27:06 AM)

Yes, Gordon, you are correct, as is David. Have just re-read Kevin Sheedy's "Stand Your Ground" and, like him or not, one of his most important points was the success that comes through courage, innovation, foresight and a desire to be the leader on all fronts. David is effectively asking for the same thing, just with the help of those who can.

- Wesley Hull (posted 16/12/2011 9:28:16 AM)

If i could donate i would, unfortunately being unemployed doesnt leave a great deal of cash lying around to help out.

- Tim Dowling (posted 16/12/2011 9:31:19 AM)

Congratulations Merna Slattery on becoming a Life Member of this great footy club.. Very Well deserved..

- Daniel Ellis (posted 16/12/2011 10:55:19 AM)

So glad David came out and said. If you dont want to commit to the Flight Plan,you dont have to but dont begrudge us members,who want to feel part of the new facility. We were given a survey and asked if we wanted to donate. I for one said,yes. They are only listening to the members. Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 16/12/2011 11:46:23 AM)

EI, attached is a link to a news story in todays Daily Telepgraph, much along the lines of the movie Moneyball this is how Manly went from 8th to win premiership. Perhaps you could pass this along to the brains trust? http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/stat-breakthrough-that-won-manly-comp/story-e6frexnr-1226223454383

- Marc Atkins (posted 16/12/2011 12:17:52 PM)

David - spot on. Members and supporters should come together and donate whatever they can afford / it all helps. This is history in the making for the EFC. It's up to all of us who follow the Red n Black to see "our" club move forward. Forget about the politics - there is no excuse for not donating. Just do it!!!!!

- Victor Tallis (posted 16/12/2011 1:19:40 PM)

Congratulations to Merna Slattery for becoming a life member of this great footy club.. well deserved..

- Daniel Ellis (posted 16/12/2011 1:54:17 PM)

hello evans here is my starting 22 for 2012... B: hardingham, fletch, heppell HB: dempsey, tayte, melksham C: zaha, myers, stanton HF: monfries, hurley, reimers F: carlisle, crameri, jetta R: Ryder, Watson, Heath I/C: browne, hille, winderlich Sub: NLM. cheers bobby dazzler.

- Bob Davies (posted 16/12/2011 3:33:02 PM)

Bill Gates is in Australia, sign him up as our number 1 ticket holder

- Mark McLachlan (posted 16/12/2011 3:52:15 PM)

Fully agree with your words David. Well done to the fabulously passionate people at EFC. I just signed up for Foxtel season 2012, another $50 to the club. More than happy to give as much as I can. Should have the $ saved by end Jan. Thank you for hard work, admin staff.

- Gail Taylor (posted 17/12/2011 9:48:17 AM)

I was initially very worried about the move away from WH but have looked closely at the situation, and determined that it's a wonderful move by a now great administrative team to secure the place we deserve in the future (and for a long time). It wasn't and isn't a move taken lightly. And as such, I've given a donation gladly, to play my part in securing that future for OUR club. For many, it's not possible to give more - for those that can, please consider it seriously.

- Steve Prousialkas (posted 18/12/2011 2:08:59 PM)

Close Fizz. Would change a few positions around (Myers and Melksham wings, Paddy CHB, Browne on for Hardingham, Jetta sub). Colyer in for Reimers. Bellchambers in for NLM. Howlett in for Winders.

- Brad Scarr (posted 18/12/2011 6:14:53 PM)

Nicely said. I think the whole spirit of the flight plan has been summed up quite succinctly in this article. There are different levels of commitment, affluence and vision amongst the Club's supporter base. Everyone gives what they can afford, according to their beliefs. I am really grateful to those who give support to my Club in whatever form it takes. These people add to my enjoyment of the game. Good luck, David, in your quest to deliver a quality facility to our playing group. Angie

- Angeline Baron (posted 19/12/2011 1:57:47 AM)

Good starting point, would prefer Dempsey up field, no defensive game, too loose, Browne for Hardingham, good call Brad, but not on Reimers, coach doesn't rate other guy, turns it over too much, available for 20 games played 10, agree no Howlett but NLM has only played a couple of servicable games in the last 3-4 years, would like, somehow a couple of the rookies in there to up the defense

- Mark McLachlan (posted 19/12/2011 10:09:55 AM)

B) Hibberd Fletcher Hooker. HB) Myers Ryder Stanton C) Winder Watson Heppell. HF) Reimers Hurley Crameri. F) Pears Carlisle Melksham R) Hille Hocking Zaha, Int) Belly Browne Dempsey. Monfries. Emerg) Gumby

- Mark McLachlan (posted 19/12/2011 7:33:18 PM)

Goes to show we have depth Mark. Tayte in the forward line mate? Trav Colyer is still young, even Dysons disposal was showing inexperience last year. Think you will find he will increase game time this season, and keep improving. Need 22 firing on the day and we will beat anyone.

- Brad Scarr (posted 20/12/2011 9:47:53 AM)

Hey Brad, we have heaps of depth every where except KEY defenders unfortunately I really rate Tayte's skills, but b4 injured he was according to "champion Data" our most expensive defender, just think he is worth a go as a mobile marking forward, also with Crameri's pace & strengh would be devastating at HF, sorry I don't rate Trav, have watched all his utube and just turns it over, more than any player I have seen, love is attack & desire though but Dell'olio will replace him, thought Dysons disposal was exceptional for someone so young & experienced, can't wait mate

- Mark McLachlan (posted 20/12/2011 10:07:20 AM)

Cheers Mark. No disrespect to Dyson, the scary thing for the rest of the comp is that he will keep improving with every game. When he can create that extra second with his disposal, gives off longer and cleaner. That can be said for most of them though. I haven't forgiven Hibbo yet. Hope Trav can prove you wrong.

- Brad Scarr (posted 20/12/2011 11:12:46 AM)

Mark, Tayte can be a bit loose sometimes, but I have seen him do plenty of the purely defensive things, he can play tight football. Also, when he is having a good game he gets a lot of the ball and is very attacking, and there is something to the old saying, "Attack is the best form of defence". He is still only 21, so he will surely get even better.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 20/12/2011 12:04:01 PM)

Gordon, totally agree mate, I really rate Tayte (oops) my fav.player & think he will be a real gun for us, versatile forward or back. but our tightness in defense is a real worry at present, we didn't seem to have a defensive plan, just throwin ideas around, that's what the boring off season's for,I'd like a couple of this years recruits to fast track. Brad I never take any of your comments as disrespectful

- Mark McLachlan (posted 20/12/2011 1:25:49 PM)

E.I., at about 12.20 PM today, I sent in a comment about Travis Colyer, which was very supportive of him, and was not slightly offensive in any way to anyone, but it wasn't published, can you tell me why?

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 20/12/2011 3:18:21 PM)