The Tackle: Richmond CEO Brendon Gale reflects on drought-breaking premiership win as Tigers’ laud club boss
RICHMOND was $5 million in debt when Brendon Gale took over as CEO. But seven years of building has finally paid off in the most glorious way, MARK ROBINSON writes.
Richmond
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THE Richmond rooms were alive with jubilation.
Mums, dads, wives, mates and girlfriends swarmed over the premiership players.
You couldn’t hear a word that was said because the hum of victory was loud and constant, like a stockbroking floor in full tilt.
In one corner, behind the netting that is usually the demilitarised zone for non-Richmond personnel, stood Brendon Gale.
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He, like everyone, was looking at nothing in particular but everything at the same time.
Seven long, mostly gruelling years as chief executive had cannonballed into this one glorious day in September.
The Tigers were $5 million in debt when Gale arrived at the end of 2009, a former player with business nous who, like many before him, wanted to build a great club and wanted to build a premiership club.
The Tigers now have $2 million in the bank and, after Saturday’s win, that could swell to $5 million.
Gale’s tears were long gone but, he says, they were bubbling below the surface waiting for another “moment’’.
“I’ve been crying all week,’’ he said.
The scenes being played out in front of him were beyond his most wishful thinking.
Asked what he could see, he said: “I see unity, I see a unified club from the top down, the playing group and the coaches, unity and strength.”
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“The off-field team has been knocking the cover off it, they built a really strong platform for the club.
“It takes a club to win a premiership. It takes the club to get to a Grand Final and ultimately the players have to get it done. They were magnificent.’’
They were.
Which is why it’s surprising the negativity surrounding the victory.
Some observers have said it was the worst team to ever win a premiership, the inference being it lacked the talent and grandiose fitting of a premiership winner.
What garbage. If anything, the victory should be regarded as one of the greatest in AFL history.
They finished 13th last year.
They were walloped by 113 points in Round 23 last year.
And coach Damien Hardwick, with help from a new coaching personnel and help from a brave self-assessment of his own coaching, set the tone for change.
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If Hardwick didn’t reinvent himself, he was doomed to failure and ultimately the sack.
He played kids and employed a new game style. He sought mentors and guidance and trust. He asked his players to follow suit.
What was born from failure last year was a connection between players and themselves and players and their teammates.
It was this bond which underpinned everything else this season.
This wasn’t an underwhelming premiership, this was a premiership of terrific substance, amazing substance, strongly led by Gale and president Peggy O’Neal.
“Everything has been all about a line to winning the premiership,’’ Gale said. “All our community stuff, our commercial stuff, it’s about making us a better club to win a premiership.’’
At Richmond, and probably around the league, there’s a warmth for Gale.
He played 244 games for the Tigers, which places him 11th on the all-time club list of games played.
He was a soldier kind-of player as a ruck and key forward, but arguably had more impact as an administrator than he did as a player, which was not lost on key personnel on Saturday.
Jack Riewoldt: “He just brings people together. He’s structured the footy club. The on-field stuff breeds from the off-field stuff and our culture has been awesome. We were in a bad spot at the end of last year, but now we have a flag.’’
Simon Matthews, the media and community manager: “Benny ... enormous strength and courage to stick to his convictions. I’m as happy for him as anyone at this football club. As a player and now as an administrator, everyone should be enormously thankful.’’
Dan Richardson, the list manager: “He’s been amazing. His relationship across the whole club is built on people and culture. There’s an old saying, culture beats strategy for breakfast and Brendon’s leadership is testament to that. You can set all goals or the KPIs, but in the end it’s about people being the best they can be.’’
Trent Cotchin: “Smacker’s been an incredible part of the football club from a playing point of view. The way he’s settled the ship since 2009, he’s a real leader. I don’t think a lot of people will talk about that necessarily but a lot is owed to him.’’
Matthew Richardson: “He should be written about pretty highly. He’s stable, level-headed and doesn’t listen to nonsense. He gathers information and makes good decisions and that’s what he’s done. He’s been unbelievable, Benny.’’
Neil Balme, the football manager: “He runs a good show. The CEO has to do a lot of work on the non-footy part of the business, which is kind of unknown to all of us. But he has a good feel for footy. He often comes in to encourage us. He’s very good to work with.’’
When Dan Butler kicked Richmond’s 15th goal on Saturday tears enveloped Gale again, as seen by many millions on TV.
Victory was ensured, but the “moment’’ wasn’t all about the footy.
Gale’s mum arrived from Tasmania on Saturday morning and when Butler kicked the goal in the final quarter, mum and son (and brother Michael) were together.
“She’s been massive for us, eight kids, she sort of raised us,’’ Gale said.
“I saw mum, Jane (wife) brought the kids down and I lost it. I could feel it building, but I wasn’t ready to let go until that goal. Then I lost it.’’
His first tears were shed hours before Richmond created history.
He was at Punt Rd on Saturday morning and when looking at the stage set-up, where the cup would be presented if the Tigers won, he broke down.
“I’ve been teary all week, it’s weird. I just lapse. The feeling is so vivid, it just goes and I can’t stop it. I feel like I’m going mad.’’
Gale never won a flag with the Tigers across his 12 seasons and says it has always irked him.
“The selfish part of me is I never had the chance to win a premiership as a player,’’ he said.
“I’m not defined by not winning premiership, but there has been a hole. There’s always been a hole. I look at guys with envy. But now I’m a premiership CEO.
“It’s not the same, but I can live with that.’’
ROBBOS LIKES AND DISLIKES
WHAT I LIKE
1. Bachar Houli.
A former opposition coach once said Houli was not the type of player who would play well in a Grand Final. Too windy, too outside, not defensively strong enough in the contest. Well, that was poor judgment. When the game was hot early, Houli and Alex Rance were magnificent in defence. Houli had 25 disposals and kicked a cracking, curling goal in the first quarter. He played on several Crows — mainly Charlie Cameron and Riley Knight — and was a popular tip to be the Norm Smith medallist. He was beaten by just three votes by Dustin Martin.
2. Dylan Grimes.
People at Richmond pushed for him to be named an All-Australian, or at least be in the squad of 40, because he rarely he gets beaten. On the biggest day he let no one down. Played on Adealide matchwinner Eddie Betts, who had seven disposals and kicked a goal when Nick Vlastuin fumbled near the goal square in the first quarter. Grimes is a beauty, and it’s a pity he didn’t receive just one vote in the Norm Smith voting. Not everyone can get the votes — and those who did were deserved — but clamping the game’s best small forward in a GF is one hell of a game.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
1. THE SKIPPER
Taylor Walker had a poor day and his goals late in the game meant nothing. He would be ill with disappointment. Named AFL captain of the year by his peers, Walker failed to make an impact on the game when it was needed most. At times, the game needed aggression from Walker and Josh Jenkins, and others, by crashing packs or taking out bodies. It didn’t happen. Walker wasn’t alone in a lethargic Crows performance, but the spotlight always goes to the leaders when that rubbish is dished up.
2. THE POWER RANGERS STANCE
Looks good, made headlines after previous two finals, but little point standing like you’re ready for a gang fight when there was little substance to back it up. Lost the contested ball by 30 which is a beating, but more to the point, where was Adelaide’s urgency? Richmond applied chase-down tackles from the outset — Jack Riewoldt was the first to do it — and countless smothers, whereas Adelaide didn’t seem to have that killer instinct which is often seen at Adelaide Oval. The Crows tried to stare down Richmond at the national anthem, but in the end, it meant nothing.
mark.robinson@news.com.au
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