First of all, congratulations on the win. How did you analyse the match?
We're really proud of the boys' performance. We thought it was quite a mature performance given we were one of the youngest teams in the competition this weekend. West Coast came out hard and we knew they would. They have been working hard on their contested possession and the boys stuck at it and put in a good four-quarter performance.
And to keep West Coast to their lowest ever RAC Derby score. How much of a feather in the cap is that?
I wouldn't say it's a feather in the cap. As far as the team goes, we were rapt with our team defence. We thought in the first quarter, we didn't really pressure them enough and put enough front-half pressure on them but in the end, we got nine goals from forward-half turnovers and restricted their scoring. The backs did a fantastic job working as a unit and denying them scoring opportunities.
How's Darcy Tucker?
I'm not sure, it was scary. We were all concerned for his health but he's down in the rooms and he's quite bubbly. He said everything's fine, so I think they're going to have to investigate a bit further on that one.
Do you know, was it just a straight-out concussion? Or is there something more to it?
I'm not even sure if he hit his head, actually. We're not sure, but all I can say is he's healthy and that's the main thing.
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We saw Alex Pearce with the ankle injury and come back on, how's he?
He got through fine. He just had a little tweak in his ankle and being skipper he wanted to get back out there. We are thinking that he is going to be fine.
It seemed like Michael Walters took a step forward today, is that how you saw it?
We're rapt with ‘Sonny's’ game. For the last few weeks he has been bringing defensive intent, which we've been asking. He could have been stronger in the contest in previous weeks and we felt he did that tonight. He also had an offensive threat which was the main thing, that was potentially missing from his game, but he's been training hard and it was only a matter of time before he put in a good performance and we were really happy with it.
You've got a perfect coaching record now, two from two. How does it feel, albeit with different teams?
I think just opportunities really to step in. It's not about me, it's about the Club and what we're trying to develop, and our brand. Unfortunately Justin (Longmuir) couldn't be here for the weekend but the fact that he had trust in us as a group, and all our staff because we had to shuffle a few seats, he trusted the whole staff and the playing group, a young playing group, which showed maturity and he'll be proud of it.
How much did you chat to him during the match?
I didn't get to talk to him personally but he did have a feed to the box and he gave us his feedback and what he was seeing. He got to say a little bit himself. We were in the heat of the moment. It was good to get his views and opinions.
You talk about maturity. No coach, no captain and a derby situation, it could have been intimidating for a lot of the team. Can you talk about how they managed to handle that part of it?
There were a lot of changes and it is a changing landscape in the AFL for the moment with COVID. I mentioned it was a young group. Our leaders are really important, Pearce drove it from the front but some of our senior players as well. Tabs being back was handy, James Aish and Luke Ryan, I won't name them all. But that helps and it just drags the young guys along. But the boys have worked hard, and the Club have a trademark that's consistent across all areas and we're after consistency as well in our performance. But I think that really helped him with our connection and the fact that everyone could just come in and play their role.
And for someone like Lachie Schultz to win the medal and have a game like that on this sort of stage. What does that do for him?
I wasn't quite sure who was going to win it. It was quite a consistent performance, all round. It's fantastic for him. He is the heart and soul of this footy Club. The players love playing with him and he brings the same effort each week, and it's fantastic that he got some reward, sometimes small forwards don't get the reward. It's good to see him get rewarded for that performance.
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Your second halves in the previous two weeks haven't been flash. What was made at halftime today when you were up?
We understand that West Coast had a bit going on with their lists and with COVID. We felt like if we continued our work rate for four quarters, we can get on top. We've been talking about consistency and we've been striving for it and yes, our second halves haven't been great but it's more around our mindset and being a young group, just being consistent. We felt we did that tonight, which made us really happy.
West Coast obviously thought they could get on top in the midfield without Brayshaw having too much of an impact. Can you talk about how your midfield went in, particularly in the first half with his limited impact?
We were rapt with the midfield and the way they bounced back. I think we were minus 10 centre clearances last week and went plus eight this week and it was a young and inexperienced. Lloyd Meek did a fantastic job in the ruck and I know Nic Naitanui got on top of the centre bounces there in the third quarter early, but he did a fantastic job to compete and we were rapt with our mids.
What did you make of Neil Erasmus' debut?
We were really happy. He is a young man with not a lot of patience. But he's been patient this preseason and he's worked his backside off. He works hard. I use the word maturity, but he's a young man, he's a strong young man and he didn't look overawed at all by the situation. We're happy with the way he played and the way he connected with his teammates.
The other ones O'Driscoll who got a full debut. What did you make of his game?
It was Nathan’s second game and again he's a workman, he works hard and he keeps it up for four quarters. He was a little bit out on the wing and inside. We were really rapt with the way he finished that goal, he's done it twice now. So happy with that and the more games you get into these younger players, the better it is going to be for the Club and to pull off a performance like that and to win a RAC derby with a young list, we're really happy.
In terms of personnel, how are you? How are you looking for Darcy and Serong for next week?
I think Darcy was pretty close to getting up this week. We'll know more about that and with Caleb (Serong) it is a matter of getting him on the track and seeing how he goes. He didn't do a lot this week. I haven't got an answer for next week, but I know Darcy will be close.
In terms of selection pressure, Sam Sturt with five goals for Peel Thunder yesterday, he must be on the radar?
If we want consistent performances, it’s important that we have guys knocking on the door. We had a few guys come in this weekend and get their opportunities, so the pressure for spots is important in Clubs, it's healthy competition and it's great to see Sturt finish his work with five goals.
