AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and CEO Andrew Demetriou both say Gold Coast Football Club’s progress towards its inaugural AFL season is running to plan.
Speaking to media during the AFL’s Commission visit to Gold Coast Football Club’s Carrara headquarters earlier today, both were glowing in their praise for club administrators’ work so far.
“I have to say looking at all that’s going on, and we’ve had presentations from John [Witheriff, GCFC Chairman] and Travis [Auld, GCFC CEO], everything is fitting into place, everything’s on budget and everything seems to be on time,” Fitzpatrick said.
“The thing that’s impressed the Commission perhaps more than anything is the feeling of enthusiasm that exists around the club, there’s a passion developing here, and it’s starting to feel very much like an AFL club. So we’ve got every confidence in the team that’s been put together.”
Demetriou gave credit to the spirit of cooperation that existed between key stakeholders that had laid a strong foundation for the club’s formative moments.
“When you get a sporting club, local government, the state government and the federal government all pulling together in one direction you can achieve wonderful things and we’re seeing something really amazing being created here. We’re absolutely thrilled with the progress that’s been made,” he said.
GCFC Chairman John Witheriff was also on hand. Inevitably, he fielded a barrage of questions about the club’s highest profile recruit, rugby convert Karmichael Hunt
Hunt will commence training with GCFC next week.
“You’re all excited to see how it goes. I’m equally excited. I think the one thing we all know is that Karmichael is a superb athlete, world class, and I’m confident he’ll do very well.”
“We have an expectation that he’ll do his best and that he’ll work with Guy and all the coaching staff. He’s of such an superior talent and with such an enormous level of self pride, I’m sure he’ll do as well as he can.”
Despite the excitement and curiosity surrounding Hunt’s arrival at the club, Witheriff was adamant his newest arrival would be treated just like any other player.
“As far as we’re concerned, Karmichael’s just one of the crew, so he’ll be out there working like I am and like everyone else is to do their bit. Every indication from Karmichael is that he’s pretty excited to work with us to create a new club.”
Demetriou alluded to the AFL success of former Gaelic footballers Jim Stynes and Tadgh Kenelly and the blossoming career of hurling convert Setanta O’hAilpin when asked whether Hunt would make a third successful football code switch.
“You can teach people,” he said. “Karmichael Hunt is a great athlete. There’s no reason to doubt that he’ll do very well.
He disagreed with suggestions that GCFC’s public reach was being hampered by an apparent focus on Karmichael Hunt’s conversion to AFL, ongoing speculation surrounding Gary Ablett, and apparent concerns that the club may not be able to attract necessary marquis talent.
“Any publicity’s good publicity for this football club. We’ve got to remember that the club’s not playing [AFL] until next year. We’re absolutely thrilled the amount of coverage [media is] giving the club to be honest and the speculation’s all good fodder.”
Witheriff said the club was very confident about putting together a strong playing list next year.
“We put together [a recruitment plan] well over twelve months ago. We had a board meeting last night during which we discussed that plan, and I can say that we are right on track.
He said the club would be unwavering in its commitment not to discuss potential player targets until season end.
“We can’t make any comments. I know that exposes us to speculation, but we’ll be looking forward to making some announcement in the back end of the season in September or October,” he said.
“We have to uphold a set of rules. We decided when we came in that we’d stand for a set of values, and we don’t have any difficulty in living and operating in that framework.”
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