Football is a game that evokes a lot of emotion and right now, like all of you, we are feeling frustration and disappointment.

Our on-field performances have not lived up to expectations and we are capable of much better.

Like all clubs, we have used the mid-season bye as a chance to pause and reflect, as well as plan for what’s to come.

At this time of year, it’s standard practice for us to run the rule over the football operations, as well as other areas of the Club.

We always take a football-first approach and recent on-field results have ensured there has been plenty of rigorous conversations.

We are always pushing hard but it’s fair to say there has been added resolve over the past week.

We want to assure you we are looking at every possible way in which we can get better.

From the Board of Directors down, we are united and determined to generate an upswing in performance.

This will be underpinned by ongoing evaluation in the weeks and months ahead.

After stripping the men’s playing list right back, we have seen the team improve its ladder position season-on-season over the last three years.

History shows rebuilds never encompass steady and constant progression.

There will be flat spots in the evolution but amidst that it’s been great to see continued and genuine growth from emerging players, such as Jake Soligo, Max Michalanney, Luke Nankervis and Josh Worrell, among others.

Our AFLW pre-season program is up and running in earnest.

We’ve made some changes, although they do involve familiar faces, to our coaching panel.

It’s great to have premiership-winning Crow Renee Forth back at the Club in an official capacity.

She will support Courtney Cramey in working with our midfielders, while a couple of our men’s players, Jack Madgen and Kieran Strachan, are also on board.

Off-field, the Thebarton Oval Precinct now has all of the relevant development approvals and with detailed designs finalised, we are excited about works beginning towards the end of the year.

We look forward to giving you a look at the updated designs in the near future.

And again, thanks to you, our members and fans, for staying the course.

No journey is without challenges.

We are striving to establish a men’s football program capable of sustained long-term success.

There are no short cuts. Your support has never been more important, nor will it ever be taken for granted.