PRESIDENT Don McLardy remains adamant that 2012 has not been a wasted year and that Melbourne is on track to build “something special”.
Speaking at the fifth annual Foundation Heroes at Crown on Tuesday night, McLardy said everyone associated with the Demons had “learned a lot” in an extraordinarily difficult year - both on and off the field.
“We have all built a base and recognised how high the bar is, and we know what sort of effort it’s going to take to get over it,” he said.
McLardy acknowledged chief executive Cameron Schwab’s leadership in a tough year.
“One senior journalist suggested that we go to the AFL and find a young goer from the AFL to have a go at that,” he said.
“Well, of course that is nonsensical.”
McLardy said a revamped football department, headed by coach Mark Neeld, was now shaping a “hard, tough, uncompromising Melbourne team”.
“And I reckon all of you do too,” he said.
“We may not have it now, but this just might be our best chance of getting it and for many reasons, we have a list that is low on experienced players.
“So we have no choice but to build around our core young players.”
McLardy said the aim of this year’s Foundation Heroes was to create a ‘war chest’ to retain and recruit players. But he insisted it was not just for one player.
He said last year’s Foundation Heroes event was instrumental to paying for the recruitment of Mitch Clark.
“As far as possible, it’s about the maintenance of our whole list,” McLardy said.
“We will not be paying any player an amount that compromises other players on our list now, and constricts our flexibility in the future and that’s a very important point.
“I think you’ll all agree that was a great coup for the Melbourne footy club.”
Meanwhile, McLardy confirmed automobile company Opel had signed on for 2013.
“Our major sponsor Opel has agreed to sponsorship terms for next year,” he said.
Speaking at the fifth annual Foundation Heroes at Crown on Tuesday night, McLardy said everyone associated with the Demons had “learned a lot” in an extraordinarily difficult year - both on and off the field.
“We have all built a base and recognised how high the bar is, and we know what sort of effort it’s going to take to get over it,” he said.
McLardy acknowledged chief executive Cameron Schwab’s leadership in a tough year.
“One senior journalist suggested that we go to the AFL and find a young goer from the AFL to have a go at that,” he said.
“Well, of course that is nonsensical.”
McLardy said a revamped football department, headed by coach Mark Neeld, was now shaping a “hard, tough, uncompromising Melbourne team”.
“And I reckon all of you do too,” he said.
“We may not have it now, but this just might be our best chance of getting it and for many reasons, we have a list that is low on experienced players.
“So we have no choice but to build around our core young players.”
McLardy said the aim of this year’s Foundation Heroes was to create a ‘war chest’ to retain and recruit players. But he insisted it was not just for one player.
He said last year’s Foundation Heroes event was instrumental to paying for the recruitment of Mitch Clark.
“As far as possible, it’s about the maintenance of our whole list,” McLardy said.
“We will not be paying any player an amount that compromises other players on our list now, and constricts our flexibility in the future and that’s a very important point.
“I think you’ll all agree that was a great coup for the Melbourne footy club.”
Meanwhile, McLardy confirmed automobile company Opel had signed on for 2013.
“Our major sponsor Opel has agreed to sponsorship terms for next year,” he said.
