'Strauchanie' gunning for Melbourne Renegades president role

THE fact that the Melbourne Renegades don't need a president hasn't deterred Bryan "Strauchanie" Strauchan from putting his hand up for the role.

THE fact that the Melbourne Renegades don't have or need a president hasn't deterred former Collingwood hopeful and football tragic Bryan "Strauchanie" Strauchan from putting his hand up for the role.

Strauchan has launched a bid for the Renegades' top job on the eve of the Twenty20 Big Bash season, saying he has accomplished all he can in the AFL.

"I think I've done everything in AFL circles that you can possibly do, with the possible exception of not playing a game"

"I thought, what else can I do? And it seems in this current climate that the only way anyone can get any respect is to become president.

"Obama is a good example. I mean, nobody knew who Barrack Obama was until he became president. And now we're all over him."

The Renegades kick off their Big Bash campaign in the season-opening Melbourne derby against the Stars on December 7.

Strauchan said the fact that the the Renegades already had a chairman in James Brayshaw and did not need a president would not deter him.

"The door is not quite closed, I feel like it's slightly ajar, and they might be on the other side kind of trying to hold the door closed, but my foot is in the door," he said.

"The toe bit of my sneaker is in the door and I can hip and shoulder and get my way into that organisation and be president. And I think deep down they want me. They want me and they need me."

He also audaciously thrust his cap into the ring for an on-field role.

"I can play for the Renegades. I would like to be a playing president. I have put that out there," he said.

"I may not play in the first game, but I'll probably play game two."

"I can come in at the tail end and swing a bat, and I can take wickets. Also if I feel the keeper's not doing the job, I can slip the gloves on.

The former Collingwood player, who suffered a career-ending injury in an AFL Legends game, has big things planned should be assume power at the Renegades.

"Murali-mate is coming in and I'm going to fix his style, obviously. I've been watching his video tapes and I think there are a few things I can suggest. He's taken about 800 wickets, and he could probably take not another 800 in the Big Bash but probably another 400."

"This (Melbourne derby) has been a rivalry that has been brewing for hundreds of years, give or take. My grandfather was a Renegades supporter and we're just going to bring it."