Malthouse took to the stage midway through the proceedings to introduce the new players to the board, the 2010 playing list, administration and the Magpie faithful.
The head coach appeared at ease in front of the microphone, exerting plenty of wit and charm as he forced the new Magpies to step into the spotlight.
Below are some short excerpts from the question and answer period conducted by Malthouse.
Malthouse with Luke Ball (overall pick 30 in the national draft)
Ball: It was a tough period. Just listening to Tarks (Tarykn Lockyer) and Shane (O’Bree) before, when you first get drafted all you want to do is get to a club and play AFL footy. As you go on, you hope to establish yourself and you never think you have to go through something like that. Unfortunately that’s footy these days. I had to stop reading the papers and watching the news and just sit tight.
I arrived (in Arizona) half way through and the boys had already been there a week so I was pretty stuffed when I got there. I thought ‘Jeez, I am in for a challenge here’. And it certainly was.
The next morning I was hiking up Mt Humphrey and got to the top and I have never really seen the snow before and a storm came in. We had minus 25 degrees and I thought I was going to lose my fingers.
Malthuse with Ben Sinclair (pick 62)
Malthouse: He is an 18 year old, 181(centimetres) which doesn’t mean a lot these days. 69 kilos is reasonably light. We know that (Brad) Dicky was 69 (kilos) when he arrived and he has done weights for three or four years and he now weighs 69.5.
Sinclair on draft: Yeah I watched it on TV. I was pretty nervous. Played a bit of golf during the day with my mates to relax.
When I saw my name come up it was a great feeling. Pretty crazy actually. My whole family was ecstatic.
I had spoken to a couple of clubs. I actually didn’t think Collingwood was going to take me. It was a bit of a surprise. I thought if anyone it might have been Sydney.
Malthouse with Josh Thomas (pick 75)
Malthouse: I asked (Dayne) Beamsy what sort of player is he (Thomas). And Beamsy said he is better than me.
Thomas: I played against Beamsy a little bit in the under 18s. When I watched him (Beamsy) play I thought he was going to get drafted. He obviously had a really good season and it’s a credit to how hard he works.
It’s good to have someone who is from Queensland and has done it.
Malthouse with Simon Buckley (pick 85)
Malthouse: I have watched Simon play for a couple of seasons. He did lose his spot on the Melbourne list perhaps for the simple fact that he was injured. I can see him adding to our strengths particularly in the half-back and through the midfield.
Buckley: I have been training hard the last few weeks at the Lexus Centre, which is a lot different than Junction oval.
Malthouse with Shae McNamara (47)
Malthouse: I have got to say when Anthony Rocca’s number came up, Shae volunteered for it. So we ended up giving him 50.
Malthouse: How many league games are you going to play this year?
McNamara: Hopefully all of them.
Malthouse: What position?
McNamara: Whatever you need.
Malthouse: Can I get you to name five positions?
McNamara: Coach Bevo (Luke Beveridge) gave me a sheet to read and study so I will know them soon.
Everybody in America loves Australia and I am one of them.
Malthouse: Well the last survey they had done, there were 312 million Americans and 247 (million) didn’t know where Australia was.
McNamara: It’s a big island.
The night soon ended with president Eddie McGuire leading a boisterous rendition of the Collingwood Club song. Click here to read a summary of the night including player guernsey numbers.
