Ross, what are the emotions after a game like that?
Emotions are high, it was a very tough game against a quality opponent. We came in thinking we were evenly matched, we thought our effort had been going to the end all year and when we needed it today, we went to the end so it was really pleasing.
How did you rate that dominant last quarter?
I think you need to put it in context, I thought their third quarter was dominant, they still had 20 entries. So we spoke at three quarter time to get our clearance work right, particularly around the ground and just go a little more direct with the ball. We were probably going around a little bit too much. I thought around the ball they really got to work, were hard and tough. We took ground and went in, put them under pressure. I just thought both teams really committed to the physical contest – I think (Brennan) Cox and (Hamish) Hartlett had big 50/50s and it was really quite physical around the ball and both teams never really gave up, so it went right to the end.
How important was Sean Darcy today?
It’s never one person to be frank it’s a collective, but we spoke about Sean (Darcy) coming in, Griffin Logue, Stephen Hill, so three out, and Alex Pearce, Adam Cerra and Rory Lobb have been fantastic over the year, so they needed to come in and hold their end up and I thought they did that well. So everyone is going to get challenged by injuries and depth. We were relatively confident it could be done but those guys stood up with the help of their team mates and got it done, so it is never one person.
Michael Walters tonight, how do you rate his game?
I thought he was really handy. He’s a class act, he’s a great story, great role model. His story of hard work and turn-around and consistency. There’s a lot of people who go to do corporate talks out there but gee-whiz if you get him and tell his story, his turn around and high performance, he should be doing a talk every week.
What is his leadership like behind closed doors?
Exceptional, Sonny never shuts up. You can’t do what he does if you’re not footy smart, he’s a real leader, he’s in the leadership group, he has strong opinions and he’s very passionate. We’re very fortunate to have him at the club
His accuracy as well, what’s it like for you as a coach when you see the ball in his hands?
It’s pleasing, it’s really pleasing.
What did you make of Stephen Hill’s return?
He had to work into it, it was a big ask what we asked of Stephen today, if Adam Cerra hadn’t of been sick, he wouldn’t have played. But he’s a class act, strong contributor over a long period of time, we backed him in and gee-whiz I thought when the whips were cracking in the last quarter he really stood up.
How is Switkowski’s ankle?
It’s a sore ankle, he came back on and contributed strongly and had some great tackles. He had a big third quarter with aids. He’s quite courageous.
You’ve beaten some quality sides this year, Collingwood, GWS, Brisbane and Port Adelaide does it give you hope that you can make the finals?
It’s not a business of hope, we can’t hope for the win, you’ve got to act, it’s a business of action and relentless action and we have been relentless over summer committing to hard work, we have been enjoying ourselves. There’s a great bond. But we have practiced, I don’t think there has been a game where we haven’t gone to the end, we are the best last quarter team in the competition is my understanding. You don’t hope your way forward, we believe in ourselves and we have to keep working hard. Unfortunately, as good as this is when the ball is bounced next week it will count for nothing and we need to go again. From here that is what’s going to separate teams, the ability to go again each week.
Overall Darcy’s game against Lycett and Ryder, it’s a big ask?
It is a big ask, I thought he competed, there will be plenty of improvement in him. We picked him to do a job and he needed to do a job; I don’t think he was perfect, but I thought he competed. He’ll have to focus on recovery, the thing about AFL football it’s so elite, he’ll enjoy the moment then get his head around going and taking on Max Gawn, so it’s pretty daunting isn’t it?
