The President's Lunch - 3/08/14

[Adam The God 30,249]

I'm not looking to bring about any instability with this post, just simply sharing my thoughts on 'The President's Lunch' today and the President himself.

Did anyone else attend? Glen Bartlett obviously spoke and Robbo interviewed two former players: TJ and Woey.

Bartlett was Q&Aed, in a casual, relaxed sort of fashion. Probably par for the course, which is fine. My problem with the discussion though was that it told us absolutely nothing about the club. It was all about how he'd travelled the world with his son, Josh. Maybe it was just me, but it came off as cringe-worthy gloating. I felt like I was back at school and people were bragging about which European country their parents would take them to.

I don't want to be overly critical, but I just found Bartlett very underwhelming as a speaker too. Lots of 'ums' and 'ahs'. Not particularly eloquent at all. Perhaps, it's something that's still sticking with me about those alleged comments in The Age (was it?), RE: appealing to the Collins Street crowd and insinuating at the dissolution of the Casey deal. But unfortunately, I got very little from the function and that was then compounded by one of the worst Melbourne performances of the season.

Anyway, if you went along to 'The President's Lunch', what did you think of it? Did you get much out of it? Is this usually all the lunch entails?

[jnrmac 20,061]

I have seen Bartlett speak at past functions and he is fine.

Didn't see yesterday but might have been the QandA format..

[Guest]

I get the feeling that Bartlett for the most part is a figurehead. The real (AFL endorsed) hands on the wheel of the club are those of PJ.

The last time Bartlett opened his mouth, we got that brainfart about moving to Collins Street and becoming the Yankees.
Roos has made it clear that the best boards are informed, hard working (?) and silent and I think Bartlett has stuck to that out of necessity.

We don't want yet another board member potting the football side of things, an area most of them don't know about.

[Redleg 40,915]

I have seen Bartlett speak at past functions and he is fine.

Disagree. Have heard him a few times and he is a completely underwhelming speaker. His speeches matched our play yesterday.

[jnrmac 20,061]

I don't really care how he speaks at PC lunches.

I am more interested in what he is doing off field..

[Redleg 40,915]

I don't really care how he speaks at PC lunches.

I am more interested in what he is doing off field..

Agree.

Was just disagreeing with your post.

[Adam The God 30,249]

I get the feeling that Bartlett for the most part is a figurehead. The real (AFL endorsed) hands on the wheel of the club are those of PJ.

The last time Bartlett opened his mouth, we got that brainfart about moving to Collins Street and becoming the Yankees.

Roos has made it clear that the best boards are informed, hard working (?) and silent and I think Bartlett has stuck to that out of necessity.

We don't want yet another board member potting the football side of things, an area most of them don't know about.

I agree. Wouldn't it be nice if he was a bit more than that though? I don't mean an Eddie necessarily, just someone that does their job behind the scenes (which Bartlett may well do) and can speak eloquently in public. The public speaking and an ability to clearly communicate are essentials IMO, otherwise members have the potential to be left in the dark or confused.

[dazzledavey36 54,923]

I must admit im a massive fan of what David Koch has done for Port Adelaide.

Would take him any day of the week of Eddie.

[Guest]

I agree. Wouldn't it be nice if he was a bit more than that though? I don't mean an Eddie necessarily, just someone that does their job behind the scenes (which Bartlett may well do) and can speak eloquently in public. The public speaking and an ability to clearly communicate are essentials IMO, otherwise members have the potential to be left in the dark or confused.

I agree but maybe he isn't that guy. I mentioned that stuff that Caro ate up with a spoon (being the Yankees of Melbourne) so maybe until he gets a little more experience in the job, he should hold off on the big statements.

I remember Gabriel Szondy trying to do that and he ended up having to apologizing for being a distraction for the team.

[Adam The God 30,249]

I agree but maybe he isn't that guy. I mentioned that stuff that Caro ate up with a spoon (being the Yankees of Melbourne) so maybe until he gets a little more experience in the job, he should hold off on the big statements.

I remember Gabriel Szondy trying to do that and he ended up having to apologizing for being a distraction for the team.

Yeah, if so, disappointing that's all. : )

Edited August 5, 2014 by AdamFarr

[The Chazz 4,077]

All clubs in the AFL need/have a "face" or "voice" of their club. This will come in the way of a president, CEO, coach, or superstar. Someone that, as soon as you see them in the paper, on the news, or doing their groceries, you automatically know who they represent, regardless of who you barrack for. Rarely would a club have more than one person that this applies to.

In 2014, it's been the first time for years that we've had one - Paul Roos. That's why I couldn't give a toss if GB was a stuttering idiot (which would probably qualify him to be our next Prime Minister).