I don't think either of us took photos. My phone camera is crap and I'm not really a photo taker......soz!
Firstly, I just want to say how lovely
Shellz is. She is great company and really knows her football and it was a pleasure to share the experience with her!
The event was held in the big room on the first floor of the glasshouse that overlooks the ground and was cut down to about half size with a fake wall. I'm guessing that there were about 15 tables of 10 and there were 2 players on each table. I'd guess that there were about a dozen or so players who were not in attendance for various reasons. I was sitting right next to James Aish with Shellz next to me. On the other side of our table was Travis Cloke. There were two course of food, a lasagne entree and then a chicken schnitzel for the main. The food was fine. There was a cash bar for alcohol that was only manned by 2 people and was very slow moving but the prices were fine.
Firstly, James is a really nice guy with a very friendly manner. He's a naturally quiet type but freely engages in genuine conversation. You've got to remember that the kid is only 20 years old. I'm not sure if people are aware but his girlfriend is Mitchell Morgan who is the fastest Aussie girl over 400 metres since Cathy Freeman and is qualified for the Rio Olympics. I don't think I'm mistaken in recalling that they're confident that she can at least make the semi finals.
I asked him what he likes to be called and is isn't fussed. Trav called him Jim but then he (James) let it on that they are trying to get "Jimmy" going instead as Jimmy Aish has a ring to it (like Jimmy Bartel etc etc). I therefore encourage all posters to now call him Jimmy!!!!
Jimmy is pretty shy in talking about himself but we chatted a bit about Adelaide, his family etc. He is currently living in Port Melbourne and he absolutely loves Melbourne. Much better than Adelaide! At least one of his brothers lives here too. I personally don't think that there is any fear of him wanting to go back there.
He didn't really like talking about his own form. In relation to his last game in regard to a question from another person at the table he just answered "I played alright"......but he did seem reasonably hopeful that he would get selected for Friday night's game. It seemed pretty clear that neither he nor Trav knew the selections yet. Trav was also hopeful but i got the feeling that he was not confident.
Jimmy talked about his diet and club rules etc. The club give diet advice but don't really keep check on it but do continually test their skin folds. They are weighed before and after every match (more for hydration). Jimmy doesn't have any issues with weight and his problem is more keeping it on, especially as the season goes on.This is common for most players though as you can't do as many weights etc.
He's not studying at the moment (they only get one free day a week- Wednesday) but intends to start studying psychology maybe next semester, as this is an interest of his. He's also thinking of a business course. I can't think of much else to report.
I didn't really get to speak to Trav one on one but he was very friendly and sociable. It's obvious that he has done a lot of these things so is pretty relaxed and will talk to the whole table more. I must say he seems pretty happy and positive despite his demotion. He was talking a lot about his farm and the various animals that he has on it. I asked him if he has a horse (i.e Smally).....haha......but he just answered that yes he has horses and gave me a bit of a funny look.
He mentioned he keeps getting pulled over by the cops on his Harley and they have suggested a special muffler to reduce the noise. There was also some muscle car talk with others but i lost interest......
Both Trav and Jimmy think Casey Oval is a shithole....freezing and miles away. Trav was pretty stoked that the VFL are in the top 4.
They had various people interviewed during the night up on stage. Firstly, Meg Hutchins was interviewed about the women's football team. Then they had 2 groups of players up, firstly Steele Sidebottom and Brodie Grundy, then Taylor Adams and Ben Crocker. They talked about their break over the weekend, made some jokes etc.
Taylor wants to play this weekend and is running but says the fitness staff say he's not ready and says it will probably be another 3 weeks! I thought he looked like he was still limping a bit.