Reports would be good. I'd expect a bit will be said about recruiting.

I thought it was meant to be Thursday

I think WJ was going

Considering its at crown i dare say any posts in the coming hours would be barely readable and would probably be complaining about lost money lol

do look forward to reports come the morning...maybe afternoon

Just got back from the night. Two captains spoke well and promised as usual that players would give their all. As you know announced that Sam Blease had signed for 2 years. A moving tribute to Jimmy was given by Trisha Silvers, Troy Broadbridge's wife. Looks like about $750000.00 might be raised. Hopefully more. Lot of ex players there like Robbie, Ox, Neita, Dicko, Hoppy, Ingo, Riggers, Smithy, etc. Good function but not over the top. Sat with my sponsored player Jack Grimes and Rory Taggert. Rory on way back and I predict he will be a good player and he is an elite kick. Mitch Clark on the way back. Coach said there would be some changes to the list but that is the same at every club. Said we are improving in certain areas and will continue improving. Garry revved up crowd. Good vibe and everyone feeling positive.

Yes. I was there and the highlight was the tribute to Jimmy including a wonderful speech from Trish Silvers (Broadbridge).

We left before the final total for the night was announced but I would be surprised if we don't make the target for the night.

There were a few rumours circulating about player movements both to and from the club but I don't believe it would be appropriate to comment on speculation.

Great news about Sam Blease who I was worried might be lured away to GWS - yes that was a rumour that went wrong and it's why we should be loathe to deal in rumours.

Went along and it was a good night met my sponsored player Jeremy Howe for the first time and he's top bloke.

More tomorrow it's a bit late now.

While some of await for some more personal views on the night.

Here is a press release:

Dees add $750k to war chest

To all concerned well done on another successful night.

Thanks for the responses and a big thanks to those who dipped into their pockets.

Congratulations to those that contributed to the club. It's mind boggling that we have to put our hand out each year to be able to pay the full TPP which is a core expense and fundamental to the winning of premierships.

Let's hope we get it right next year.

Congratulations to those that contributed to the club. It's mind boggling that we have to put our hand out each year to be able to pay the full TPP which is a core expense and fundamental to the winning of premierships.

Let's hope we get it right next year.

Doesn't bother me. It is really just another sponsor or a couple of thousand members. Nobody bewails as many sponsors or members as can possibly be lined up. Why shouldn't an inclusive group of members, with no vested interest, be acceptable?

Doesn't bother me. It is really just another sponsor or a couple of thousand members. Nobody bewails as many sponsors or members as can possibly be lined up. Why shouldn't an inclusive group of members, with no vested interest, be acceptable?

I think you've missed my point. I congratulate those that donate year in and year out. It's a wonderful contribution to our club and their interest is in hoping we succeed.

Well done to them.

All those landers who denigrate the fundraising or moan about the exclusivity of the Foundation members I think you are forgetting the obvious. The Clubs that have to market such clubs are the lower ranking Clubs. Dont you think Collingwood and Hawthorn have the same Clubs but we dont ever hear about them. Their funds just roll in without raising a media eyebrow. Be thankful that we have generous backers and that we are not reduced to a rug being carried around the boundary accompanied by the local boys brigade band!

Well done Foundation Members - we all (well most) appreciate your generosity

The Clubs that have to market such clubs are the lower ranking Clubs. Dont you think Collingwood and Hawthorn have the same Clubs but we dont ever hear about them. Their funds just roll in without raising a media eyebrow. Be thankful that we have generous backers and that we are not reduced to a rug being carried around the boundary accompanied by the local boys brigade band!

They do. I believe Collingwood had a fundraiser last week. We are on catch-up but effectively behind because of a smaller supporter base. It's footy inflation.

All those landers who denigrate the fundraising or moan about the exclusivity of the Foundation members I think you are forgetting the obvious.

As you said LS, about those who moan about the "exclusivity" of the Foundation members, let me assure those moaners that it is not an exclusive club. It is open to everyone. I understand that many can't afford to become members, but there are many others who can and choose not to. That of course is their prerogative. While ambitious, the club is hoping to swell the number eventually to 1000 members. It started on the first night at 140 and has now reached 430. That of itself has involved a fair deal of work.

The entry level is $5000.00 which of course is not cheap, but they have now sought younger members and offered those under 30 who can afford it, to become members and pay over 4 years, $1250.00 a year. That amount of course is still a significant amount of money.

Just so everyone understands, every AFL club has these sorts of groups and fundraisers. We just seem to get publicity for everything that we do or that is done to us.

In summary this group has wiped out a $5million debt, continues to supply funds and is being led by the club Board, whose members have actually donated large amounts to the club and also continue to do so as they did last night.

In other words the Board members are leading by example.

All those landers who denigrate the fundraising or moan about the exclusivity of the Foundation members I think you are forgetting the obvious. The Clubs that have to market such clubs are the lower ranking Clubs. Dont you think Collingwood and Hawthorn have the same Clubs but we dont ever hear about them. Their funds just roll in without raising a media eyebrow. Be thankful that we have generous backers and that we are not reduced to a rug being carried around the boundary accompanied by the local boys brigade band!

Also Collingwood had to go cap in hand to Richard Pratt a few years back, Carlton certainly have, Hawthorn owe a lot to Ian Dicker and Geelong to Frank Costa, the three Premiership teams since 2007 have all needed someone to bail them out over the past 15 years.

I don't see anyone denigrating fundraising or the foundation heroes - more power to them!

The point Fan appears to be making is that we're raising special funds to pay 100% of the TPP - surely that should be the first thing budgetted for. We're screwed if we have to have special fundraising every year to pay 100% TPP.

Extra fundraising is vital for FD expenditure etc so we keep pace in these areas, e.g. overseas training venture etc. I guess it's simpler, more tangible and more attractive to package it up as "get more like Mitch Clark" to the club. But 100% of the TPP should come out of regular revenue.

I don't see anyone denigrating fundraising or the foundation heroes - more power to them!

The point Fan appears to be making is that we're raising special funds to pay 100% of the TPP - surely that should be the first thing budgetted for. We're screwed if we have to have special fundraising every year to pay 100% TPP.

Extra fundraising is vital for FD expenditure etc so we keep pace in these areas, e.g. overseas training venture etc. I guess it's simpler, more tangible and more attractive to package it up as "get more like Mitch Clark" to the club. But 100% of the TPP should come out of regular revenue.

I'm sure Fan could work that out for himself???

I want to hear more about the trade rumours going around?

Can anyone add to this?

I'm sure Fan could work that out for himself???

Yeah, I've no doubt he could work out the question - but what's the answer?

We either need the special funds to pay 100% TPP as advertised OR it's covered from regular revenue and the 100% TPP message is marketing for funds to be used for less essential purposes.

Got an answer?

Yeah, I've no doubt he could work out the question - but what's the answer?

We either need the special funds to pay 100% TPP as advertised OR it's covered from regular revenue and the 100% TPP message is marketing for funds to be used for less essential purposes.

Got an answer?

Its a non-question. Revenue is revenue. For special events you dress it up for max appeal.

I thought the question was disingenuous, thats all

Its a non-question. Revenue is revenue. For special events you dress it up for max appeal.

I thought the question was disingenuous, thats all

Yeah, as if the money will go to a certain place.

We are moving to a $40m turnover, this $750k will keep the lights on and the altitude room heated.

How do I know?

I don't, but it will pay for something - Don may aswell sexy it up...

Thank you to all the foundation heroes for your generous contributions and your reports, we all appreciate it.

I've been thinking about joining up for a while, I have the cash sorted, just need to get it past the missus!

Its a non-question. Revenue is revenue. For special events you dress it up for max appeal.

I thought the question was disingenuous, thats all

Not for me it's not. If we didn't raise money last night would we have been unable to pay 100% of the TPP? Do we need a similar fundraiser next year and the year after to pay 100% of TPP? They're pretty simple questions.