Blog: What’s The Plan?

HE WHO fails to plan, plans to fail. Hmmm, that's heavy stuff. In fact, I wish I'd taken that advice before writing this blog.

Now I know we just knocked up another Premiership, secured that ACL spot and are about to get finals fever and I don't want to be the party pooper...

But, I wonder if Ernie and the club a have started planning for HAL v5 (and maybe even our ACL campaign)?

All I know is that six other teams (including the two new franchises) have definitely starting thinking about next season.

What about us? Have we signed our uncontracted players? Is Kevin playing on? Will Ljubo become our #1 ticket holder? What about the off field stuff?

Gary Cole said recently: "Most of this squad have signed for next year and we want to keep our best players."

I did a little digging and he's pretty spot on.

Archie recently signed for two more years as our marquee. Top move I reckon as Archie is still a goal scoring machine.

Kevin has said all year that he'll consider his future at season's end. The hard nut is 35 but when asked about his intentions he said: "Winning the league didn't hinder my cause."

I'm happy for him to go on so long as he doesn't hinder the cause of the team.

Celeski, Kemp, Vargas and Berger all recently signed for two more seasons.

At the back, if Theo does get a gig in Europe we've got Langerak (three more seasons) and Moss as cover for next year.

As for some of the others, Ney, Ward, Lopez and Brebner are all locked in for at least one more season. Maybe Brebner should look to become an Aussie if he wants to stay any longer?

There are a couple of missing links. We all know Carlos is in talks but let's hurry up and get the deal done. We also need a rock solid defender with Ryall and Thwaite definitely going.

Off the field and we've been active with Ernie signing until the end of next season and Ian McLeod joining the Victory board.

This guy has a pretty impressive CV - current MD of Coles; chief executive of Celtic FC (2001-2003); and a director of Fulham under Mohamed Al Fayed.

Hopefully he'll bring a truckload of business acumen and football experience to the club - which should prove invaluable, especially with the expanding league and probable second Melbourne team.

However, there is another small blip on the radar.

Samsung have chosen not to renew their major partner deal (and jumped codes to Essendon mind you). Maybe Ian can pull a few strings and get Coles on board?

The credit crisis might make it difficult securing a big corporate but you'd think being Premiers, embarking on an ACL campaign and having the largest membership base in the HAL would attract a few suitors.

The plan for HAL v5 is definitely taking shape. Let's keep in mind though that it's never too early to start planning for HAL v6.

Tristram is a Victory fan and wishes he could say that a knee injury curtailed his promising football career.