The day began with Brayshaw throwing his full support behind Gillon McLachlan to take over from Andrew Demetriou as AFL chief executive.
"I think he's outstanding, Gill. He's got an enormous amount to offer the organisation – he understands it back to front – and he's got great respect at club land, certainly at our footy club."
Injured captain Andrew Swallow spoke about his recovery from the achilles injury that prematurely ended his 2013 season. The 26-year old explained the importance of speaking to others within the AFL who have experienced the same setback.
“Roughie (Hawthorn’s Jarryd Roughead) was one of the first blokes I spoke to right after I did it. He had left a message on my phone before I’d even got down to check my phone after the game. There’s not many of us getting around that have actually done one so it was great to have his advice.”
Geoff Walsh told Kevin Bartlett about the incredible progress North has made.
“The thing that I gauge is about a decade ago when I was here last, you often heard people say “poor old North, North are in danger of this or that” but now you rarely hear that. I think that’s the greatest measure of all; that the club’s in a great position both on and off the field.”
“Our target for membership is 40,000 this year and I think we’re well on track. We’re about four thousand ahead of where we were at the same stage last year which is really encouraging.”
“Our preparation over the summer on the field has been exemplary; our results in the preseason competition have been so-so. Our program has been such that we can look forward to a good season.
Stand-in captain Drew Petrie told Daniel Harford winning the first few rounds are crucial.
“Our starts to the home and away season in the last three years haven’t been good at all and we’ve been trying to play ‘catch-up’ footy for the rest of the season. I think the ladder generally doesn’t change too much after the midway point of the season, so it’s very important to get off to a good start.
“Given that we were more competitive against the really good sides last year, despite not winning as many as we would have liked…the ingredients are there for something (finals) to hopefully happen this year.
“Being under Brad’s tutelage for the last five seasons, we’ve been building something in that period of time.”
Vice-captain Jack Ziebell spoke about former teammate Hamish McIntosh, who made his return to football last week after spending two years on the sidelines. Ziebell will play against his close friend for the first time this Friday in the Roos’ practice match against Geelong.
“Big H (McIntosh) has had quite a long road back to playing footy and I think it would have put a smile on a lot of people’s faces who know him and those who don’t as well. Footy can be a cruel sport at times and H has felt the full effect of that, but to be able to come through and start playing footy again is pretty exciting for him.”
The 23-year old is eagerly anticipating the Roos’ season opener against Essendon in two weeks’ time.
“The first round is a big build up, for everyone’s preparation and stuff to be put into action. For us against the Bombers on the 21st, on a Friday night is pretty exciting. I can’t wait to get out there and I’m sure the Bombers’ boys are the same. Put all the work you’ve done in the preseason on the park and see how you’re faring.”
