Grant Thomas

[vergs]

GT was on the chat site at around 9:40 last night. As always had some interesting things to say, was very open and honest, and answered everything he could. It's great that he can find spare time to talk with the fans. I wonder if any other coaches do this?

In summary, he said:

- Players were training well, gearing up for a hard session at Sorrento today, and the young guys really benefitted from their camp.
- The new recruits are all fitting in well.
- Had very good membership numbers, around 8000 or so already, which is an improvement on this time last year.
- Kosi will be played at CHB and in a key forward position.
- Maguire will be important, playing at FF and also moving back if needed, releasing another tall up forward.
- Wished all fans a safe and happy Christmas, urged us to sign up as many members as we can, and emphasised the importance of patience in the coming years.
- Quote: "Our biggest enemy is ourselves".

The recent chat transcripts from Craig Callaghan and Grant Thomas should be at the the Official Saints site very soon. A big thanks to Spelly for these.

 

[Savatage]

Originally posted by vergs
- Had very good membership numbers, around 8000 or so already, which is an improvement on this time last year.

7,700 as at yesterday with 8,500 expected by Christmas.

 

[karnaby]

Thanks vergs

I was going to ask about Thommo last night, but let it go.

Your report has rewarded my patience . Thanks again.


I'm also interested to know if any other coaches regularly chat with their supporters. For all the chyt hung on GT, he certainly keeps in touch with the faithful very well.


What's the betting this thread brings out at least a couple of trolls?

 

[footyman]

I do bag your club a bit, but I think its great that Grant takes the time to mingle with supporters in your club's chat room. It's a top effort and something I wish other coaches would consider doing too.

 

[Falchoon]

Originally posted by footyman
I do bag your club a bit,

do you?

 

[karnaby]

footyman, the fact that Thommo has regularly chatted with supporters for over a year now has quite a bit to do with our acceptance of him. As a supporter it's great to read his comments rather than the usual dross served up in the media chook feeding circus.

Obviously his coaching track record is easy to question, however the forthrightness & openness that we are lucky enough to see goes a long way to turning hope into confidence.

His recent media comments where he:

admitted his position would be untenable if he failed to capitalise on the depth of young talent the AFL's drafting system has brought to the club
&:
said the axe would fall squarely on the coach (himself) if the team did not reap success in the next few years

seem pretty damned honest to me.


It's all so easy to take pot shots at one bloke, but there are other people who are virtually equally involved. I don't think Mark McClure, Dean Wallis, or Matt Rendell are fools who would let their reputations be besmirched by an incompetent. Rather, I think they're most likely working hard to fulfil club goals.


footyman, I'm not saying that you're doing it (at present) but to all who want to hang cheap unsubstantiated chyt on us, go for your lives, take your chances while you have them, but be aware there are plenty of us just waiting to shove it back down your throats - with interest

 

[footyman]

karnaby - good reply. I actually remember reading Grant's messages on the old official Saints website. I think your President might've gone on there a few times as well. Yes he is honest, and no I have never bagged him, but some people have. I actually admire the way he interacts with supporters. I doubt our coach Neale Daniher would ever go on the internet to speak to supporters.

 

[Winmar]

Why is it that lots of people seem to love to bag the Saints? What have we ever done to anyone, other than be crap????!!!!

 

[kalsaint]

I have often wondered why other team's coaches have avoided the communication to their members by chat rooms etc. Interesting to note that Neil Daniher avoids this. I thought he would be one of the few who might see the value in this.

It really is a credit to Grant to be so open to the mainstream supporter although this was promised to the members by Butterrs and Co. early last year.

While Grant continues to enforce new standards at the club, there will be a gradual rise in club performance and the baggers will reduce to no more than irregular nuisance value.

Hopefully, this will only occur when the club's performance or consistency wanes. These traits have been too prevalent in recent years making the Sainters easy targets.

 

[karnaby]

Hi kalsaint, welcome along

As to GT enforcing new standards at the club - if a club doesn't have enough pace for example & they keep getting belted because of it, wouldn't it be expected that they would go out & recruit and develop running skills until they had succeeeded in addressing that problem?

This is how I view our supposed kulcha problem. I hate the trite use of the word, but let's just say it's right for the sake of arguement - couldn't we then expect that the leaders of the club would continue to take steps to not only erradicate it as a problem, but to address it to the extent of ensuring that it - 'kulcha' - was so good that it became a strength at the club.

Here's to hoping There's certainly no denying that we are taking significant steps to improve things as judged by the players who have been allowed to go over the last couple of seasons. The success of the action remains to be assessed over time.


footyman - why don't you contact the club & suggest it to them. Frankly, given your circumstances they should be open to ideas that might help draw a few more people in. I really enjoy hearing ND speak, the Daniher drawl I think , I reckon your supporters would really relish the opportunity to communicate with him closely - good for the off-field team (supporters) morale.

 

[footyman]

Originally posted by karnaby

footyman - why don't you contact the club & suggest it to them. Frankly, given your circumstances they should be open to ideas that might help draw a few more people in. I really enjoy hearing ND speak, the Daniher drawl I think , I reckon your supporters would really relish the opportunity to communicate with him closely - good for the off-field team (supporters) morale.

Good idea karnaby.

Neale does speak to supporters at a members information night which is held annually in November, but we don't have the player chats and coaching chats on the webiste like your club has.

I agree that it is good for the morale...when clubs are struggling for $$$ a simple chat from the coach on a website can encourage people to sign up etc.