Q – As a player, did contract disputes, trades effect you? You were obviously playing when Gavin Wanganeen went to Port Adelaide. How does that effect the playing group?
A – It does for a short period of time – probably two months, until the players get into pre-season training again. The hard work starts again, a couple of new faces come in, a couple of new characters come in –the group evolves again. Sure there is disappointment because these players want to play their entire careers together, but I think players pretty much understand what is going on and what happens and accept that players do go from club to club these days with the pressure of salary cap and performance.
Q - What did you think the obvious problems were with Joe Misiti coming on board again. Did that have any effect on the other players?
A – That probably had the biggest effect on the group more so than Damien Hardwick. That really did stir up the group – particularly the players who have played with him since 1992. It is a credit what a few players have done on behalf of Joe – the group is ecstatic Joe has resigned for two years. To have Joe as a member of this group – as a regular ball-getter and contributor, is just fantastic. It has bought the group closer together compared to if we had of lost him.
Q –Do you imagine the trade period will have had an effect on Joe himself – or do you expect him to come back the same as ever?
A – Joe’s a person who responds well to criticism – for example: going through a contract where by his name is thrown up. I expect Joe to now go on and have two top years at Essendon and then go and have another two to three years on top of that. You always know with Joe when he has got his back up against the ball. He has been criticised over the years for no pace, carrying too much weight and things like that. I tell you what - Joe has defied the game and the trend and he has been an inspiration to his teammates. Joe is not going to get any slower – he has already adapted to playing with the problems he has got – the obvious, lack of speed and things like that. He will be smart enough to overcome all of that. He has one of the smartest football brains in the competition.
Q – I get the feeling it means a lot to you personally to have Joe at Essendon. You played a lot of footy with him.
A – There is a personal attachment for me. I am from Keilor Park and that is where Joe is from. I knew how much it meant to him to stay at Essendon. He has been an Essendon person all of his life. It was really getting to his family and tearing them apart knowing what he was going through – possibly going to another club. I didn’t like to see kids, even though I am only nine years older than Joe, not play at Essendon all of their lives. Same goes with Mercuri and those sort of blokes. I didn’t like seeing Ricky Olarenshaw finish at Essendon – he is from Keilor - but unfortunately that happened. You’ve got that emotional tie that always gets involved and I certainly had a chat to Joe throughout the course of his contract negotiations.
Q – It was certainly a big day for him the day he re-signed – he got married as well.
A – It was. I am not sure if he got confused in all the rigmarole of getting married – he made the decision to re-sign on the same day. I guess he had two celebrations in the one day. Joe will look back on his career and say – I made the right decision! I always say to players – whilst you can get money at other clubs, loyalty will hold you in good stead for life after football. I said that to Gary Hocking when I ran into him not long ago. I am sure Gary will see some huge results out of being loyal to one club and I hope Joe does too.
