I would like to clarify some comments which have been misconstrued after an interview I did with 3AW during the week.

The point I was making around drafting young players in the current environment with football department resources being stretched, is that it becomes more difficult to provide the necessary support to help some kids succeed.

Our club and I have always supported diversity and the various pathways available to them to play at the highest level and we will continue to do so. We all love those great stories and celebrate the people who take different journeys to make their mark on the game.

We all want to see risk-takers, don’t we? We will always select the best players and people for our club. We take great pride in having a positive influence on the players we draft, so they are better players and people whenever they leave the environment.

I sincerely apologise if I have offended anyone with the reports that have stemmed from the initial interview. It was never my intent – nor has it been the club’s position – that any players would receive preferential treatment.