Network Ten sports presenter and Western Front co-host Tim Gossage acted as MC, while four time AFL Premiership coach and AFL Ambassador Kevin Sheedy kept the masses enthralled as special guest speaker.
The club’s corporate guests and sponsors were given a great insight into what’s ahead in the coming year, while the Fremantle players mingled and dined with them to discuss the pre-season and the excitement of the year ahead.
Sheedy, the AFL record holder for most games combined as a player and coach (886), captivated the crowd with his experiences in transforming Essendon into one of the VFL/AFL’s powerhouses in the 80s and 90s. He spoke of the bitterness suffered after coaching the Bombers to the biggest Grand Final loss in history against Hawthorn and the measures he implemented to ensure that failure was eradicated from memory and habit in the seasons that followed. He spoke of the tough calls he made all in the name of guiding Essendon forward during his 27 years at the helm.
With this he used the moment to implore Fremantle’s players to use this season to take the next step and capitalise on the window of opportunity. He encouraged the players, coaches, club staff and supporters alike to eradicate from memory and habit the disappointments of seasons gone and make the tough calls that need to be made in order to be successful in Season 2008.
New recruits Kepler Bradley, Mark Johnson, Chris Mayne, Clayton Hinkley and Rhys Palmer joined Shaun McManus on the couch and were put under the spotlight by Gossage to give those in attendance the chance to learn more about the group.
Senior Coach Mark Harvey was also joined by his new assistants Chris Scott, Dean Wallis, Chris Bond, Skills Coach Michael Prior and General Manager – Leadership and Development James Begley for an overview of the season ahead.
The event marked the official launch of Fremantle’s 2008 campaign, which will get underway on Saturday 22 March against Collingwood at the MCG. Tickets to the match can be purchased through Ticketmaster by phoning 1300 136 122 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.au.
