Ross did that go beyond what you hoped you might see today?
It’s been a summer of hard work, from our end - positivity on building a strong dynamic and it’s well document that we got the game plan out early, we modified and wanted to be more penetrating with the ball. We knew our stoppage work and defensive mechanisms could be strong if we did that.
We prepared well for North Melbourne, we felt through the JLT, although it can be a little deceptive, that our best could be very good. I think it was fortunate to play both the reigning grand finalists. We had really good halves, and three quarters. We felt we could train on and we prepared really well for.
We’ve got Leigh Montagna our opposition analyst really summed up North Melbourne really well.
The players always have to bring great effort and execute and I thought they did that really well today. For our members, and the Docker community, hopefully it inspired them to jump on board and get behind us.
It was really pleasing.
The game plan you’ve been talking about over summer, do you feel it came to life today?
I think we’ve always tried to attack but there are different methods for attacking. There’s different styles within the AFL and sometimes the different methods can all contribute to big scores. Round 1 is traditionally a difficult round and the scoring was quite tough and tight – we were pleased to get the four points today, bank them. Our stoppage work was very strong which we learned out of the JLT. So there was a lot to like when you win. I couldn’t even tell you the margin but it was very pleasing at home. Now we get on the plane for the biggest trip in Australia.
The Gold Coast (Suns) – I was watching them arrive today and they could have easily won that game (against St Kilda). So it’s certainly a big challenge heading on the plane but we will do a sharp review. We need to prepare well and travel and as everyone is pointing out – our away record needs to improve so I’m confident that can be done but we get our first opportunity to do that this weekend coming.
To cover your midfield losses like you did how much heart does that give you for when you hopefully get some back in a few weeks?
All coaches and clubs talk about next man in – today we brought it to life. It was moment by moment from the first to the last bounce. We went to the end so it was really pleasing. But Ballantyne’s out with a hamstring. I went and watched Peel yesterday against South Fremantle, there were signs there so we need to look at that in the cold light of day, go away and assess our options. But still everyone has to get through the training week so we are a long way off that but we feel we have a strong system and we need to bring it to life.
Is Ballantyne the only injury you are aware of?
Yes
How significant is that?
It’s still hot, they need to let it settle down. They will scan it and I will be informed.
How did you rate Cam McCarthy’s performance?
I see possibility in all of my list and our coaches see possibility in all of our players. To bring that possibility to life you need to work really hard day in and day out. Every moment you are either getting closer or further away. He’s chosen to work really hard with some challenges of not getting picked and then he looked immaculate with his weight, skinfolds and fitness and today he was able to execute that. He’s got reward for effort, as the whole group has today. We know one swallow doesn’t make a summer, so we will move on pretty quick but it was really pleasing.
What did you tell Cam during the pre-season when he wasn’t getting picked?
I can’t remember specifically. I’m sure we would have spoken. Sometimes we don’t talk to them, we just let them get to work, we don’t like to get in the way too much.
Do you think it’s helped Cam to have Rory Lobb and Matt Taberner in the forward line?
That’s a good point. I thought Rory and Taberner bought the ball to ground today really well. We have a little bit more depth in that area, so he took his chances. I thought his teammates and midfield generated a lot of ball, he worked hard without the ball and presented really well. He is a beautiful kick, I thought he did a lot right but work will go into him, he needs to butter up next week and get going.
What about your pressure in the forward line, there were a lot of repeat entries today?
It’s really pleasing. It doesn’t take much talent to chase and tackle it takes a lot of great effort and a lot of preparation I thought we did that really well. I don’t get caught up in kicks, marks and handballs too much. We’re a young developing list, I am just really rapt for the Docker community to rock up today and watch it on TV. Let’s get on board, we are going to have ups and downs but we really ask about giving great effort and I thought they did that today. If we win or lose but give effort like that there’s no regrets whatsoever. We are not defined by results, we define ourself by our efforts, we won’t always win but it’s nice that we gave great effort and we won today.
You look like you managed Nat Fyfe a bit once you were in control, how’s he physically?
He was fine really, he was a bit thinner for preparation but I thought he worked really hard without the ball today, I thought in the contest he was fantastic, I thought he set up his teammates for some goals, I was really pleased.
What are the chances of Jesse Hogan returning next week?
That’s not something I have considered. As I sit here now I have just coached an AFL game I’m really happy to talk about the game. It’s in the hands of our medical team and everything that goes with that, so I don’t think it’s a forum for me to be speculating, it’s not a decision I will make but I’m sure I will be informed of any progress.
We support all of our people, all of our staff at the Dockers, everyone gets the same treatment and then you know, the people in the right positions make those decisions so we will work through that.
How much confidence does watching today’s performance give you, in terms of the forward line?
Confidence comes from action so clearly you can’t buy it so are we more confident that the method stands up if we execute, yes on the back of today but as we said it’s a ruthless competition the AFL you’ve got to move on really quick. Really challenging conditions next week, there is no excuse, the flight’s no excuse, the ground and the weather will be no excuse we need to bring it to life again.
