PRESIDENT Jim Stynes says Melbourne can achieve the ultimate long-term, as long as the players are prepared to do whatever it takes.
Speaking at the club’s best and fairest, Stynes said the future of the team’s success was in the hands of the players.
“Wherever they want to go is up to them. If they want to do the hard work, they’ll get there. There is absolutely no doubt about it. It has to be up to them,” Stynes said.
“I know it’s a cliché, but unless they’re prepared to push themselves harder than they ever have before, then they’re not going to get to the heights that they want to be.
“If they want to be great AFL footballers, then that’s where they need to go. But we definitely have the team and we’ve got the list, and there is no reason why we can’t reach the heights that they all believe and dream in. We can get there one day.”
Reflecting on the 2011 season, Stynes said he had “mixed feelings” about how it panned out.
“We’ve just got a long way to go, and we’ve got to get tougher mentally, and physically we’ve got to get tougher,” he said.
Stynes said he wants to see new senior coach Mark Neeld toughen the players up.
“I’m sure that’s what you’ll do,” he said.
Vice-president Don McLardy said president Jim Stynes remained an inspiration to all.
“Anyone who thinks Jim Stynes will stand down while he can stand up does not know Jim very well,” he said.
“He would see that as a sign of weakness, and that’s just not what our club needs from our leader.”
Speaking at the club’s best and fairest, Stynes said the future of the team’s success was in the hands of the players.
“Wherever they want to go is up to them. If they want to do the hard work, they’ll get there. There is absolutely no doubt about it. It has to be up to them,” Stynes said.
“I know it’s a cliché, but unless they’re prepared to push themselves harder than they ever have before, then they’re not going to get to the heights that they want to be.
“If they want to be great AFL footballers, then that’s where they need to go. But we definitely have the team and we’ve got the list, and there is no reason why we can’t reach the heights that they all believe and dream in. We can get there one day.”
Reflecting on the 2011 season, Stynes said he had “mixed feelings” about how it panned out.
“We’ve just got a long way to go, and we’ve got to get tougher mentally, and physically we’ve got to get tougher,” he said.
Stynes said he wants to see new senior coach Mark Neeld toughen the players up.
“I’m sure that’s what you’ll do,” he said.
Vice-president Don McLardy said president Jim Stynes remained an inspiration to all.
“Anyone who thinks Jim Stynes will stand down while he can stand up does not know Jim very well,” he said.
“He would see that as a sign of weakness, and that’s just not what our club needs from our leader.”
