Ross, it obviously came down to one kick but over four quarters, how did you assess it?
I think credit to the Pies who came back in the last quarter. The numbers tell us overall, you can win and still have some concerns. Our third quarter was really dominant, so we really pleased with that. I thought it was a step forward. We knew we needed to improve off last week, West Coast are a really good team. We had a strong week on the track where the players were really focused and we needed a bit of a response. It was quite pleasing that Aaron (Sandilands) came back, and influenced. Lachie Neale got a game under his belt. There were some really good signs in all areas. I thought our forward pressure was as good as it has been in a while. We created plenty of opportunities for ourselves. There were a couple of sloppy things where the Pies capatilised and there are a few things we can improve upon. It was a step forward. To see the passion of Ed Langdon at the end, he might get that scenario round one, where he has to have a shot at goal. So to go through that, and be serious about it, to capatalise and to enjoy that moment, it is indicative of where we are at. A young passionate group and being well led at the minute by some experienced players. There were some things to like about it.
To see close to your full strength midfield up and running, does that give you some faith that when everyone is out there that you can still match it?
I believe in our midfield group, there’s no doubt about it. We have Harley Bennell to come through there as well. Tommy Sheridan went out of the team, he can play in the midfield too. We know they are really good players, and Harley is high end. If you take out Mundy and Sandilands, if you look at the age of Fyfe, Hill brothers, Neale, Tucker, they are going to be around for the next four years. So it’s an area of the ground we think we can improve in, but we’ve also got a long-term vision for them. Connor Blakely, who played a fair bit more forward today can go through there so we believe in the midfield. I have never stopped believing in the midfield. It wasn’t together a lot last year. The addition of Bradley Hill has helped allow Stephen Hill to get inside, and that is significant for us.
Bradley had a terrific impact today. To see the two Hill brother’s play so well together must be encouraging.
We know Bradley can play. He’s played on the biggest stage in a great team for a long period of time. He brings great training habits and he can really play the wing/forward role to a high level. I think he will walk away thinking he has plenty of room to improve, but his run is indisputable, how good it is.
Have Sandilands and Neale pulled up okay?
I thought they were strong contributors. It is a real credit to them how they prepare. You can see how important Aaron is to us, Lachie Neale and our mids captalise from him. He was a competitive ruck man today in particular. Grundy is an enormous talent and is really capable. For his first hit out, it’s a credit to him. I thought Jon Griffin as a combination, was as strong as we looked as a combination for a while. So there were some good signs. Shane Kersten had a big collision on centre-wing, he’s gone off for x-rays. Hopefully it turns out ok, but we’re not too sure.
X-rays on his jaw?
On his ribs.
Joel Hamling, what did you think of his game? His intercept marking?
He was lively wasn’t he? He showed why we got him here. There’s no doubt about that, he plays with passion, some speed and knowledge. Again, he’s young too. Like all those guys, bar Bradley Hill, none of them have played 40 games. So there is plenty of upside. Cam McCarthy, he was better again today. There is plenty of growth in those guys and our chemistry gelled together.
Is the forward line the area you need to grow the chemistry the most?
I think so. I thought we were a bit top heavy last week, but we knew going in that we were. We got exposed. Young Apeness and Taberner, in with Griffin and Darcy it’s a bit top heavy. We thought we were livelier today and we’re just going to have to strike the balance.
How close are you to settling on a forward line for round one?
It’s a work in progress. We changed it in today’s game. It’s that balance of talls and smalls. Aaron was pretty significant for us.
What is your plan with next week’s game? To play in 37 degrees today off a six-day break , might that affect your decision?
No, we will go strong. It’s our last opportunity to prepare.
To clarify you will probably play a pretty strong line up on Friday?
Of course we will. There are guys who have missed with injury. We can apply for them to play in Peel’s round one when the AFL has a weekend off. So we have a couple in that boat.
Do you have a date that Harley Bennell might be aiming to come back?
If I had it for you, I would give it to you. He’s getting there, it will be the early rounds.
