CHIEF executive Peter Jackson says Melbourne has finished rebuilding and restructuring the club and now it’s all about growing and succeeding.
Speaking at Melbourne’s season launch on Wednesday night, Jackson said the club had mapped out a clear path to where it wants to venture.
“Importantly, we know from a football view point the journey that we’re on,” he said.
“We’re committed to it and we believe it will work.
“Whether that takes one year or three years – it doesn’t matter. I’m excited about the future of this club and I’m looking forward to this season. They’re be some highs and unfortunately there will be some frustrations – but go with the journey we’re on, because it’s going to be a great journey.”
Jackson said the football department had given the club the best chance possible to improve this season and start its climb up the ladder.
He added that Melbourne now had an executive team that was “as good as any I’ve worked with in my time in footy” and the club was made up of staff that were “enthusiastic” and worked “tirelessly”.
Overall, Jackson believed the club accomplished plenty over the off-season/pre-season period.
“We achieved a lot of things people are probably not used to seeing the Melbourne Football Club do – innovation and leadership. And being a really good football team remains our number one priority,” he said.
“In my view … I think this is one of the best pre-seasons I’ve seen in my 20 years of football. The players’ work-ethic has been just outstanding.
“Most importantly, it looked like to me that everyone had a lot of fun during the pre-season and they wanted to be around the football club.”
Jackson also said the club had bid for a licence in the women’s competition.
“Although not guaranteed that we’ll get a licence, based on our leadership and innovation, in the women’s space, over the last few years, we expect to be one of the six to eight founding teams in 2017,” he said.
“And wouldn’t that be terrific after being the founding club [of the VFL/AFL].”
Reflecting on one of last year’s great football causes, Jackson said former coach Neale Daniher’s campaign to raise funds to fight MND last year was “just what football needed” after the game had endured some tough stories.
He added that Daniher showed the public at large how football can play an important role in society.
“I think it was fantastic and we’re going to back up and do it again this year and we’ll do it every year after that,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jackson said the club recently signed a charter, in relation to responsible gambling, and will not take on any betting agency sponsors.
