Eastern's B & F Report !!

[Eastern]

Arrived right on time (after taking a wrong turn and having to find a parking spot). The 1st person that Mrs Eastern & I ran into that we knew was saintbrat. There were people out the front informing guests of their table numbers.

We found our way to Table 84 where we were seated with Dr Spaceman and some other people who I have forgotten who they were. ? 84 tables of 10 people = 840 at the function

One of the first things I noticed was the quality of the service at the venue. Service staff and drink waiters were very pleasant and very efficient.

I didn't know that some people went in "fancy dress". Maxstar went as a lady, and with her costume make up etc I didn't recognise her at first.

Greg Westaway was his usual self (a man of few words), but what he did say really grabbed attentioin. There were a few Churchill quotes, a very moving letter from a member that he read out and the announcement that he would stand down after 2 terms.

Michael Nettlefold appeared nervous and very careful with every word he said. So much so that he got himself a bit tongue tied once or twice. He did say that we are 7-10 days away from announcing a new coach, and that that was the timeframe they were working to from the start. He gave NOTHING away as to who it might be (a good thing). He then paid a glowing tribute to Cowboy Neal.

Cowboy Neal received a standing ovation from everyone in the room. He then gave a very passionate (and occasionally humourous) response.

There was a very funny ad for Etihad Airways featuring Lenny Hayes & James Gwilt on the big screens. They also showed the "Lunch with Lenny" series.

I'm told the auction items fetched higher prices than they have in the past

Sam Fisher gave a very good acceptance speech, including thanking Ross Lyon.

The food was good (although I think I got more than my share of chillies with the Thai beef entree).

The raffle created another story. One of the guys on our table umm'd and arrgh'd about buying a ticket. He bought his AFTER I bought mine. You guessed it, he won a dinner for 10

Overall, a really good and really positive night. I would like to thank SAINTSATIONAL and StKilda FC for making it possible !!

[saintbrat]

many tables had 12 on them..
over 900 I was told

and glad you got the chillies - ours didn't thank goodness.

Food was great - best I've had at that venue- and service was also up to scratch-- and they had coffee on the tables before 11 pm...

Players were open , personable, and willingly chatted or had photos taken with supporters and were still there till the end -

despite my apprehension of the evening it was the most relaxed Best and Fairest I have attended and comments from some who have attended for more years than me agreed.

Thank You Saints.

[linmarnic]

Thanks for the report Eastern and saintbrat. Wish I was there. Happy to see a good time was had and things are looking positive at the club.

[borderbarry]

Saintbrat and Eastern, or anyone else that went, were Bakes and Tommy Walsh there?

[saintbrat]

Saintbrat and Eastern, or anyone else that went, were Bakes and Tommy Walsh there?

No
as per other threads Bakes was in Sydney
I assume Tommy still in ireland

[Enrico_Misso]

Saintbrat and Eastern, or anyone else that went, were Bakes and Tommy Walsh there?

Bakes was in Sydney attending a "Business dinner".
Didn't see Tommy W - suspect he has gone home for the break.

[Enrico_Misso]

Actually Gardi made a very funny speech.

He said that Bakes had a successful career outside of football which is why he wasn't in attendance.
"But unfortunately I don't have a successful career outside of football, so hence I am here".

[Junction Oval]

Thanks to those above, who gave their time to writing brief reports.

I said all year, that Chips was "our General" of the backline !"

Bad luck for Dal, especially after his great Brownlow voting. He has never won a Saints B&F, but probably deserves one. There is always next year!

[avid]

Yes, thanks for the reports.
Very much appreciated.

[SirDog]

Was Ross Lyon invited? I kind of thought he would have been there. It looked a bit empty with all the assistants and no head coach gracing the stage. When Sam Fisher thanked RL, his absence from the event was further accentuated. I woud have liked to known what the live audience were thinking. But the speeches were all very positive and I look forward to next year.

I was not overly impressed with the MC (he bumbled about) but all in all it looked like a great evening. I watched the web stream which was reasonably good quality both audio and video wise - kudos for the club in doing that - I watched it last year also via the net.

It also made me realise how far away from my beloved club.

[Dave Robicheaux]

Once again, the B&F is out of reach for most supporters ($320.00 is almost a membership! ) SORRY to be seemingly negative about it, but we should be making this function MORE accessible to the members instead of making it beyond our means.
Its just a thought, perhaps membership could count some way toward a "discount" on the price for the B&F?

[saintbrat]

RL was attending to his new employers functions- they had their best and fairest on last night too


I felt uncertain going along as to what the vibe would be But the friendliness and openeness of the players ( which I was looking at to see how they were coping) ( why didn't the media beleive Nick, Nick, BJ and Lenny)
the addition of some lightheartedness with the Lenny and Jimmy skit broke the ice a bit

it wasn't over the top exuberance but a good vibe. there may have been carefull speach preparation and who did what was considered-
Greg opened- and his speach was one of the clearer I have heard from him-
Mrs Moran presented to Barb Datson
Lyn Gandolfo Presented Halo awards
Coaches presented awards but limited speaches
Nick congratulated retirees and presented to Gardi
Michael Updated on coach and then presented to Cowboy
Lenny as former winner presented to Trevor barker medalist - first time without a Barker Family member present

It was possibly and in fact maybe planned as a "Club Best and Fairest Night- ' recognition of the players and their year - and not for political posturing. they did address issues- coach, Board, President. but just concisely.

as I stated elsewhere best feel I've had from those I've attended.

[bobmurray]

When does Westaway's second term end

[Enrico_Misso]

When does Westaway's second term end

Not soon enough!

He hardly said "right" at all last night.
Must have been taking elocution lessons!

[Eastern]

I must report on the dunnies. Wierd, really weird. I went early in the night. Whilst standing at the urinal I looked up and observed a leak in the corner of the ceiling. Then the automatic flush came on (the entire wall) and frightened the living begeezus out of me. Never before have I seen anything like it. Then there was the communal hand washing area for BOTH Males & Females !!

[saintbrat]

I must report on the dunnies. Wierd, really weird. I went early in the night. Whilst standing at the urinal I looked up and observed a leak in the corner of the ceiling. Then the automatic flush came on (the entire wall) and frightened the living begeezus out of me. Never before have I seen anything like it. Then there was the communal hand washing area for BOTH Males & Females !!

you were at the wrong end of the room to notice the queues at certain times of the evening with a good mix of both genders finding ample reason to ' go for a walk'

[bobmurray]

Greg Westaway was his usual self (a man of few words), but what he did say really grabbed attentioin. There were a few Churchill quotes, a very moving letter from a member that he read out and the announcement that he would stand down after 2 terms.

How long is a term...he was elected at the of 2007...he's had 4 years...doesn't sound very long in the chair

[philtee]

Thanks one and all for your reports.
Reading between the lines, Cowboy Neale is a certainty to be our next coach !

[Eastern]

Greg Westaway was his usual self (a man of few words), but what he did say really grabbed attentioin. There were a few Churchill quotes, a very moving letter from a member that he read out and the announcement that he would stand down after 2 terms.

How long is a term...he was elected at the of 2007...he's had 4 years...doesn't sound very long in the chair

Just a guess. 2 x 3 year terms would have an end date of October 2013 !!

[saintdooley]

many tables had 12 on them..
over 900 I was told

and glad you got the chillies - ours didn't thank goodness.

Food was great - best I've had at that venue- and service was also up to scratch-- and they had coffee on the tables before 11 pm...

Players were open , personable, and willingly chatted or had photos taken with supporters and were still there till the end -

despite my apprehension of the evening it was the most relaxed Best and Fairest I have attended and comments from some who have attended for more years than me agreed.

Thank You Saints.

Not all the tables were full though. I was on table 2, and the one next to me only had 8 on it.

I was very disappointed I did not see you on the d-floor afterward bratty.

Music was good, food was good, drinks were good. Overall it was pretty good.

[clarky449]

I must report on the dunnies. Wierd, really weird. I went early in the night. Whilst standing at the urinal I looked up and observed a leak in the corner of the ceiling. Then the automatic flush came on (the entire wall) and frightened the living begeezus out of me. Never before have I seen anything like it. Then there was the communal hand washing area for BOTH Males & Females !!

Got that everywhere in America. Scared the shi* out of me.

[Dr Spaceman]

Great night and thanks to all at Saintsational (especially Mr Magic) for making my attendance possible. Lady Spaceman also enjoyed herself immensely despite not really being a footy fan.

Wonderful to meet a few of the posters on here including Eastern (a true gentleman), Gracie, Stkildathunda & Maxstar. Would have liked to meet a few others but it was a very large and packed venue (plus I didn't know who any of them were).

Thanks again to all concerned.

[thejiggingsaint]

I tend to agree with an earlier post regarding the cost of the function. It's becoming harder and harder to afford these functions. i would certainly go along with the "discount for SC members" theory because there's preciuos little else to persuade one to become SC...other than GF tickets of course, but I've a shrewd idea that this "inducement" holds less likelihood of being a selling point in coming seasons
My compliments to those "reporters" for their efforts in letting us "plebs" know how things were!!!

[Enrico_Misso]

Great night and thanks to all at Saintsational (especially Mr Magic) for making my attendance possible. Lady Spaceman also enjoyed herself immensely despite not really being a footy fan.

Wonderful to meet a few of the posters on here including Eastern (a true gentleman), Gracie, Stkildathunda & Maxstar. Would have liked to meet a few others but it was a very large and packed venue (plus I didn't know who any of them were).

Thanks again to all concerned.

If you were wearing your labcoat I would have said hello!

[PLUGGER14]

Great night and thanks to all at Saintsational (especially Mr Magic) for making my attendance possible. Lady Spaceman also enjoyed herself immensely despite not really being a footy fan.

Wonderful to meet a few of the posters on here including Eastern (a true gentleman), Gracie, Stkildathunda & Maxstar. Would have liked to meet a few others but it was a very large and packed venue (plus I didn't know who any of them were).

Thanks again to all concerned.

If you were wearing your labcoat I would have said hello!

Me too!