Here’s the key quotes from Charlie Gardiner's interview with Sam Edmund on SEN today.
On Robbie Fox:
Robbie had a breakout year. He played 14 games in the end and was pretty consistent for us. The challenge this year is just the squeeze for list spots and you’ve got to weigh up a whole lot of things around your list needs and your priorities when you’re making calls.
We’re actually very keen to re-rookie Robbie and have committed to doing that with him.
Unfortunately, we weren’t aware of a late rule change the AFL made to now allow players to be directly transferred from a primary list onto a rookie list. That was our intention, but we weren’t aware of the late rule change. So had we known that, the messaging would have been different in relation to Robbie. But we’re certainly hopeful he can continue the development and the progress he made last season with us next season.
On allowing Colin O’Riordan to play in the GAA Final for his home county Tipperary:
It was an interesting one. Colin was obviously flown home for the break to reunite with family and his partner at the end of the season. The Irish boys are very proud and passionate about their national game, we have always known that and Colin has openly shared his passion for the game.
The uniqueness of this year presented the opportunity for him to represent Tipperary. It was one of those ones where we had a mature and sensible discussion. We thought that this was a once in a generation opportunity for him. It’s a historic occasion and meant so much to him, his family and his community. We worked through with the AFL to get the permissions and we are really pleased we could support what he’s done and are extremely proud of him.
On Buddy Franklin:
He’s training hard and doing all this strengthening work which is the focus at the moment. So far so good, it would certainly be great to have him up and running early in the new year.
On the 2021 Rookie list and upcoming National and Rookie Drafts:
We will look at picking up some talent and see who is available after the de-listed free agent period ends. That and picking up talent in the National and Rookie drafts will be our focus over the next few weeks.
On Paddy McCartin:
We are certainly considering him, he’s an option. We are a long way from a decision on that right now. He is just one of a number of players we are looking at as a key position / key forward option. Whether we do or not is still to be determined.
On the Club’s Nike announcement:
It’s an exciting announcement, we are thrilled to have a brand like Nike as our partner. Their apparel and footwear is excellent, the players and everyone associated with the club are really excited about the partnership.
On the Club’s new facility at the Royal Hall of Industries:
We had to press pause on that project due to the challenges of COVD-19. Our CEO Tom Harley is working hard to revisit that project and we are hopeful we can reboot it and get it underway. It would be a terrific outcome for the Club if we could deliver and secure a new facility, it’s something the club has been working on for a long time and is overdue in the Sydney market. Hopefully we can bring that to fruition and in 18-24 months we can have a new facility.
