FD02e Year Book 2002-REV - Fremantle Football Club

the CEOI think it wasBryce Courtenaywho wrote:“If you’reskating onthin ice,you may aswell tapdance”.YES, WE HAVE taken many risks sinceSeptember 2001 as the Club embarked onthe process of getting better. They wererisks taken knowing the depth of changerequired to turn this thing around, to breakthe cycle of mediocrity, but with also anunderstanding and respect for thistoughest of competitions.Ultimately the passage of time will be thebest judge of decisions taken, all of whichwill have a profound effect on the mediumto long term future of the club.In the meantime many sit in judgment…kick by kick… quarter by quarter… gameby game and season by season.This type of scrutiny can promote a type of‘short-termism’ that requires those withwhom decision making responsibility isvested to stay focused, to stick thick,to trust each other, even when it appearswe are challenging the natural order andthe discomfort that will inevitably bea consequence.This will include our owners, our board, ourmanagement and players – and ultimatelyour supporters.We have said many times that theFremantle Football Club will have its day –provided we can maintain that sense ofunity and it is supported at all levels.Let there be no doubt that thefundamentals are in place and we can beconfident that we are on track, but therewill be times when our patience and beliefwill be tested.In 2002 we won seven more games andimproved our financial performance byapproximately $1 million though our poortrading performance cannot continue.But it is turning around – it is turningaround on the back of a renewed senseof hope and positivity.Encouraged by our talented young coachto play positive football, our young playersgrew in confidence and belief, and withthat started to build an overwhelmingsense of optimism that has so often eludedthe Club in its short history.And our supporters shared some excitingmoments with us.Our after-the-siren victory againstMelbourne courtesy of a wobbly JeffFarmer kick, and our win againstCollingwood in our first true Blockbustermatch and the coach directing the teamto hug the boundary line as they did theirwarm-up lap in the Western Derby, in frontof the biggest ever AFL crowd at SubiacoOval, take it all in, and running away witha convincing victory.4 Fremantle Football Club 2002 Year Book