[22:18:07] Grant Thomas: Quick hi to everyone. How are things going?
[22:18:55] Grant Thomas: How did they go the other night Spelly?
[22:19:05] Spelly: They were terrific - thanks Grant.
[22:20:08] BanGerS`: Hey GT, is it true that Hamill has taken Snowy under his wing, and they are both training hard together this pre-season especially? I saw them at Kings Club in the city doing interval swimming training; they were both pushing each other hard.
[22:20:09] Savatage: GT, I know Harvs hasn't been training. How serious is his latest calf problem, and how much of a problem is this going forward?
[22:22:25] Grant Thomas: Hard M/W/F, light T/T - same as we have been doing last couple of weeks; practicing our "Brand". Sammy has been mentoring Roo since I took over. Harvs achilles is just a bit sore, so we are giving him a precautionary rest. It looks worse than it is - he is copping a bagging from the boys with the snow boot he is wearing.
[22:22:35] Mr_Why: I was kind of hoping we'd pick up Paul Johnson with pick 22, instead we picked Ferguson - worried about our ruck? Do you think BB will fill the breach, and do you think MF will be a gun given time?
[22:25:25] Grant Thomas: BBBBB will get better and better and hopefully be your long-term ruckman. I am happy at this early stage with Fergs - he should play seniors in a year or so.
[22:23:05] lennyfan: Hey anyone decode the first part of what Grant said?
[22:23:25] Spelly: Hard - Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
[22:23:37] Spelly: Light - Tuesday and Thursday.
[22:24:21] yipper: GT, are you enjoying coaching - does it give u a buzz?
[22:27:26] Grant Thomas: Yes yipper, I am enjoying it. I am really focussed on the "end game" and determined to succeed. It is a pleasure working with the players. It is amazing how positive people can be when you give them the confidence, authority, support and empowerment to deliver.
[22:24:43] lennyfan: Grant, are all of the players going to be at the AGM, and are all the new players being presented to the crowd?
[22:27:46] Grant Thomas: Yes - the players will be at the AGM.
[22:24:48] dan_warna: Hey GT, this is a pretty tame question - what is Riewoldt's nickname, the argument has been going on over whether it's Snowy or Roo, I have both, including Roo by you - just know you can settle it definitively?
[22:28:50] Grant Thomas: Roo, Snowy, and he has copped Billy last week (Billy Idol). When you play like him you can get called what you like.
[22:25:45] Mr_Why: GT, is Barry Brooks ready to play this year as a 1st team ruck option?
[22:29:47] Grant Thomas: Probably not ready absolutely, but it's amazing how players step up when they have to, and don't forget we still have Cappas and Knobes.
[22:26:08] BanGerS`: GT, how's Josh Houlihan coming along, he got named a few times but never got a game, and was in the best a few times for Springy. Do you see him fitting in the senior side this year? He is meant to be the most talented out of the brothers.
[22:30:23] Grant Thomas: Houlas has been training the house down and hopefully will perform well in the practice games.
[22:26:21] lennyfan: GT, are we going to have an intra-club match like last year?
[22:31:35] Grant Thomas: Intra club on the Friday after Tassie - 14th February, Valentines Day - and you know what day that is Spelly!
[22:27:21] Savatage: GT, been impressed by Luke Ball at training thus far?
[22:31:58] Grant Thomas: Bally is coming along OK. Will step it up a bit now.
[22:27:55] the_fugitive: GT, what is in store for the players at the Tassie Camp?
[22:33:07] Grant Thomas: Lots of footy in Tassie. 2 days of Values and Vision, Brand training every day, clinics, and practice match each of the last 5 days.
[22:28:35] Mr_Why: GT, you mentioned on an earlier chat that we might be reverting back to our traditional hoop socks - I certainly hope so, as these are distinctly St Kilda.
[22:39:07] Grant Thomas: Hoop socks are back!!
[22:29:09] Evertonfc: GT, sorry if this has been answered, but can you give us an idea about what you want to achieve from the Wizard Cup? Do we want to win it by playing our full team, or are we looking to blood a few of the young guys?
[22:34:48] Grant Thomas: Winning is a mentality that I am extremely keen to instil in our minds. There is no other alternative from here on in. Everything we do is to win, and have the mental toughness to deal with that.
[22:30:39] dan_warna: GT, I think Harvey is one of the greatest of all time - what chance he'll play much of the season on the ball, and perhaps even a third Brownlow?
[22:35:36] Grant Thomas: Harvs will have a very good season in a variety of positions.
[22:31:39] karnaby: GT, how many players are realistically pressing for immediate 1st team selection?
[22:36:46] Grant Thomas: I would say 29-30 are in the mix realistically for Round 1.
[22:33:29] Evertonfc: GT, given our plethora of midfield talents, what role can you see for someone like Leigh Montagna, who probably is a bit inexperienced to hold down a spot in our starting 18?
[22:38:24] Grant Thomas: Joey will be a very good midfield (outside) and forward - could even learn the craft of crumbing back (Aussie type).
[22:36:32] lennyfan: Hey Grant, on our forum there has been talk of English soccer like chants - does this kind of crowd support lift the players?
[22:42:31] Grant Thomas: Chants and more chants. Let's be the great innovators of AFL supporters. Molly rang last week and wants to get the Cheersquad to learn the Eminem song "We're back", as he is producing words to fit eg. Guess who's back, Saints are back, tell a friend etc. I had to listen to him singing it over the phone. Gees he's fired up!
[22:38:35] karnaby: GT, my daughter Jessie (mascot for the Freo game) says hi.
[22:43:24] Grant Thomas: Say hi to Jessie.
[22:40:41] Evertonfc: I remember you came on late last year GT, and told us about the development of Chris Oliver, what sort of progress has he been making since Xmas, and what type of role do you project he can play in season 2003?
[22:44:07] Grant Thomas: On ball for Oli and key forward.
[22:42:24] Savatage: GT, is membership still going strong, or slowing down at this stage?
[22:44:22] Grant Thomas: Nearly 12,000 for membership.
[22:43:48] Mr_Why: I remember watching you many times in the 70`s kicking off the dew in the 2`s. You were always thought of as having so much potential, yet as you would probably admit to this, was not fully realised as a player. Is this something that you are trying to instil in the players - to leave nothing in the locker room, and to fully realise their own potential?
[22:45:29] Grant Thomas: Very good Mr Why. That is why coaches generally speaking could not play.
[22:43:49] saintjohn: As the contract negotiator for the boys', did you drive a hard bargain?
[22:46:17] Grant Thomas: I am really the contract negotiator for the club, not the boys' - so, if anything, the boys' may get upset!
[22:45:05] sAiNta_and_friend: Grant can u convince my friend here to buy a membership?
[22:48:29] Grant Thomas: Friend, think of the most important thing in the world, then realise how determined we are to deliver the supporters a premiership. Buy one and be a part of something very special for a decade.
[22:48:16] Mr_Why: GT, you could play and had the right build, but for some reason didn't deliver, and this is something that probably helps your arsenal as a coach, and all the success that you've had since your playing days. I know you're the right man for the job.
[22:51:35] Grant Thomas: I did play for Victoria, and runner up to Barks in B&F by 1/2 vote Mr Why - I wasn't a total failure, but I agree I could have done much better.
[22:52:08] Evertonfc: GT, I know you are sick of fielding questions about Riewoldt, but do you see his position long term as a KPP, or more of a Koutafides-style midfielder? Does he have the endurance to play midfield?
[22:54:59] Grant Thomas: Roo definitely has the endurance capabilities, but needs another year or two to get there.
[22:57:49] Grant Thomas: I'm being called by "she who must be obeyed"! Good to catch up, thanks to all that come to training, and especially thanks to all of you that log on here and talk about our great club. Good night and keep safe. Regards, Thomo.
