Where it looks like I have quoted people here, I haven't. I have paraphrased but I do promise I have not, intentionally, changed the message. This also not a complete summary of the Meeting. I'm sure others will fill in details I have omitted.
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Lee Spurr was the MC. He welcomed us and thanked the Club for the support it had given him and his family over the years - ever since he was drafted as a mature player in 2012. He was most appreciative of Ross Lyon who demonstrated both forthrightness and care for each and every player.
Dale Alcock
In 2018 we continued our planned change. In terms of games won and lost, our away games were not good enough. There is no doubt that injuries to senior players hurt us, and our young players were exposed. We have debuted 15 players over the past two years, far more than any other club.
We are continuing our plan that we implemented in 2016. Our goal is to be regular finalists. We expect to engage, entertain and win. We do expect to win.
We wish Lachie Neale well and he will always be most welcome back at Fremantle. Great to have Peter Bell as our Football Manager and we are in the process of appointing a List Manager now.
Fremantle ranked fourth in the AFL for the best player welfare services.
Changes to the member-elected voting. We will appoint two "suitably qualified" members to the Board for a period of three years from the end of the 2019 season.
Ross Lyon
- Our young have to go through growing pains on and off the field.
- To be challenging for the premiership, you need 15 or 16 players who have played 100 games.
- We made some mistakes in 2018. For example, in some sessions we trained too long. Sessions are now shorter and more focused, especially focusing on skill.
- Last year, our best was very good and our bad was very bad, but this was due to senior players missing from these games.
- We have to improve our interstate performances, but that comes with maturity, stronger minds and stronger bodies.
- For 2019 we want to win and win early and we expect to see growth in our our players.
- Harmony helps. Friction fractures.
- Brandon Matera has returned to the Club 2kg lighter after a hard self-appraisal of his 2018.
Other Snippets
- Peter Bell on our Trading: We went in with a plan and the plan worked.
- Jesse Hogan: Has been speaking with Ross Lyon for over fourteen months about possibly joining Freo. Foot coming along well.
- Reece Conca: Had the nickname "Cuddles" at Richmond because he loved celebrating goals with whoever kicks them.
Q&A
- David Gerryn asked how many were on the Board now and how many will there be. Dale Alcock: 7 now, will be 9.
- Len Hall Game - how about we get the players to sing the anthem at that game? Big support from crowd and the Freo Officials. Ross Lyon said that they would put this to the players.
- Where are the AFLW players? Why are not they represented here? Steve Rosich pointed out that our AFLW players were part-time, but did say that they are training at this time. He takes this criticism on board. We are likely to see a better integrated Members Meeting next year.
