Season Launch

[jim boy]

A few years ago, when we first started the player sponsorship campaign, the sponsors dinner was barely even a pie night, a quick bite after training upstairs in the Fred Flanagan room. Dress was track-suit pants. From all accounts, as I wasn't fortunate enough to go, it was a fairly intimate affair bereft of any fanfare where you conversation flowed freely.

Go forward a few years and I have finally been given the chance to go to one of these things. Drag out the suit, shine up the shoes, lather up the brylcream, pop a mint in the mouth and head down to the casino. I was playing Tim Callan to SJ's Bartel. Greeting us was Travis Varcoe's empty chair, the occupant having gone off in search of a tie. I had been a bit nervous about meeting him. Generally I have no desire to meet any of the players - I dont spend my money with the idea that these people could baby-sit my kids, I just want them to play footy. He turned up with tie. However I am glad to say that Travis was simply a nice bloke, courteous, open and happy for a bit of chat, eventually. He seemed a bit jaded with the function and saw it rightly as just one of those things he has to do as part of his obligations. He'd also just endured a season of rehab, keeping him largely away from the main group. This wasn't an easy process either physically or mentally.

He spoke with animation of his trip to Ireland though and various nocturnal exploits, albeit nothing to give Neil Balme sleepless nights. And while the trip ended with him on the injured list, there were no regrets, the chance to represent your country was not something that Travis was going to let slip.

We talked on various subjects, Adam is back in Adelaide with a job and a place with Centrals. Mention was made of the backstreets of Grovedale and tyranny of travelling to Melbourne. A laugh was had at the idea that Kevin Sheedy had been on the phone. Meanwhile the speeches and 'entertainment' carried on, often rather loudly. Colin Carter spoke well, Chris Scott not so well (did his mother not tell him to keep his hands out of his pockets?) The team were presented and a few comments sought from Mooney and Ling.

The highlight was the presentation of the new players to the team. Most were nervous, George Burbury was a wag, Ryan Bathie was relaxed and Simpkin was intense.

Also at our table was Jordan Schroeder and his entourage, including Mum and Dad, brother, grand parents and the couple he was staying with in Geelong. While I didn't speak to Jordan, I did get to hear a bit about him from his grandparents. His footy at the Cannons was pretty much in the shadow of Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis. A quiet kid who was now coming out abit more and getting more confident in his own capabilities, expect big things from him.

About 15 minutes before the events trailed off, Travis and a number of other players, left. We shook hands and I wished him all the best. The next time I hope to run into him is after his having played a stellar season and having signed a new contract. The night was fun, but ultimately lacked any real purpose other than a bit of fund-raising, I found my self wishing they'd had the pies of a few years earlier rather than wagyu vol-au-vents. Let the ceremonies finish and the real battle commence.

A big thanks has to go out to Jordan's grandparents who kindly offered me a lift home when we realised that we lived quite close to each other. Good to know that the new people to Geelong are quality people (even if they are Bulldog supporters)

 

[Beth]

Thanks Jim Boy, nice trip report!

 

[SJ]

Nice summary Jim Boy, basically got everything nailed there.

I checked the silent auction table (every guernsey, numbers 1-47, was signed and hanging at the back) two minutes before it closed to see Chapman's guernsey the most expensive at $650, with Varcoe and Selwood next in line at $500. Our boy is moving up in the world.

I had a quick chat to Schroder who seems particularly shy but wished him all the best at Geelong. Also had a very interesting conversation to his host family, who have housed players such as Gillies, Mumford, Grima and Cowan in the past. Lovely couple who open their doors to a new draftee each year and treat them as one of their own - by the number of players who came up during the night to say hello to them, I gather they (and other families like them) are highly valued.

Varcoe was somewhat more confident than the young man I sat with three years ago. I remember a shy but polite bloke in 2008 who had missed out on being a part of his club's drought-breaking premiership. I remember his longing for his home town of Adelaide.

Although he (and I) will always prefer to be out of the spotlight, from what I gather he has definitely found himself at home now in the AFL system. I asked whether he gets home much these days and he suggested that Geelong is now his home. His wedding is planned for later this year and he was very much looking forward to getting back into 'real' footy after a preseason away from the main group.

If you haven't watched the Cats TV video from the other day about how Travis spent his summer, have a look. The bloke is as genuine as ever.

As the opportunity to attend the season launch is part of our Varcoe Sponsorship package, Jim Boy and I were lucky to attend on behalf of all the sponsors as a result of the two 'dinner winners' being unavailable on the night. Our thanks must go out again to all of you who chipped in, no matter the amount. We have been his official player sponsor since his debut year of 2006 - making it the longest sponsorship tenure of any of the BigFooty boards. Finally, although only a couple of us can win something in our sponsorship raffle each year, I hope that hearing about Travis and his development is worthwhile to all those who have contributed.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Thanks for the writeups SJ and Jim Boy.

I LOVE Travis and I LOVE the Season Launch!

 

[Whiskers]

Ok i am more interested to hear some more on Chris Scott, the OP mentioned he spoke not so well.....

Aside from having his hands in his pockets what else went wrong here? I have heard he is a fantastic communicator and is part of how he landed the coaching gig. I to thought i heard him speak well when i heard him in the media (unless that was Brad )

However i heard him more recently on a radio interview and quickly on tv say a couple of things and thought he spoke to simplistic. Now i hear he did not speak well at the launch. Whats going on?

 

[Boxhead_31]

Thanks for the reports Jimboy and SJ sounds like a top night was had by all.
Good to hear that Trav now feels as if Geelong is his home town hopefully he will be here for many years to come

 

[SJ]

Ok i am more interested to hear some more on Chris Scott, the OP mentioned he spoke not so well.....

Aside from having his hands in his pockets what else went wrong here? I have heard he is a fantastic communicator and is part of how he landed the coaching gig. I to thought i heard him speak well when i heard him in the media (unless that was Brad )

However i heard him more recently on a radio interview and quickly on tv say a couple of things and thought he spoke to simplistic. Now i hear he did not speak well at the launch. Whats going on?

I thought he spoke pretty well. You know the Scott boys though, pretty down-to-earth (Brad's hoodie at North became iconic in his first season) and as such Chris spoke at his first club function with his hands in his pockets.

 

[AM]

Thanks for the insights JB and SJ.

 

[jim boy]

Ok i am more interested to hear some more on Chris Scott, the OP mentioned he spoke not so well.....

It wasn't so much what he said but how he said it. Standing there, hands in trouser pockets , leaning back slightly, it gave the impression of a bloke someone spinning a yarn rather than a leader demanding attention and delivering a powerful message. For a guy in Chris's position, the message is everything. Isn't helped by his slightly high pitched voice. I just found myself drifting off-message, whilst somebody like Colin Carter spoke clearly and leaning forward sightly, hands exposed (nothing to hide). He really should be giving Chris a few pointers.

 

[AM]

Colin is a dab hand at public speaking having been doing it for yonks in the business world. Chris is a newbie at speaking in a formal environment and he may have been very nervous.

That said, the way you present a message is important and it sounds like Chris needs to brush-up in that area. There are no better people to learn from than Colin and Brian.

 

[cats2rise]

Pfft.

I am still owed a 'meet and greet' from about three years ago that the club never came through with after winning second prize. Damn you, GFC.

 

[Big Fozza]

thans for the write up guys

 

[CharacterFirst]

Pfft.

I am still owed a 'meet and greet' from about three years ago that the club never came through with after winning second prize. Damn you, GFC.

You should write and let them know. They should be straight onto it - not good enough to promise and not deliver. An area we would all say that GFC has improved in greatly.

 

[cats2rise]

I should. It was won through BigFooty though, so really, they should be the ones to do it.

*cough* jimboy *cough*