Ross to focus on the positive, you’ve qualified for a home preliminary final?
It’s a pretty big positive I would suggest; they are always tough to win. I thought our first half was pretty good. And for a number of reasons, our third quarter, our ball use, just way too much handball, lost our structure in front of the ball, we got pinned in – which can happen in modern football. With regards to Hawthorn, we saw that the night before. So really disappointed with that. I thought we were flippant, just flicking around. At one stage we had 25 kicks, 60 handballs. It’s not what any AFL team should be about especially one against an elite pressure team like Sydney in their forward half trying to get the ball out. We’ve spoken about that. I thought in the last quarter we worked on that, we addressed that, we were better. I just thought, there were a few times I thought their pressure was super, but it was just occasions it looked like we really had great opportunities but for whatever reason they didn’t pan out, whether it be a skill or a decision. So that was disappointing. But our players, kudos to their effort and their desire, that’s unquestioned and kudos to Sydney with the challenges they had; it was a bit like us in that final (in 2014) no (Michael) Johnson, no (Luke) McPharlin, with issues (Hayden) Ballantyne breaks his jaw. Teams find a way to compete and almost get over the line and I thought they did that super today. So for us, I think it’s super positive. We go into a home prelim, it coming off a bye that was a calculated risk, we should be better for it. I thought (it was) really challenging conditions, incredibly swirly and windy and slipper under foot at times. I thought Nathan’s return was super. We told you he would be pretty good and he was. I thought Hayden Ballantyne after eight weeks was super. And so we lick our wounds in a sense, we gather ourselves, we have plenty of time to prepare for our opponent. We know what our best footy looks like. Matt Taberner was probably unlucky to go out. In hindsight we could have done with his height, so we’ll look at that and then move on.
Can you expand on Hayden Ballantyne’s game?
He was really good, exceeded expectations. It’s a credit to his preparation. He hardly missed any running at all, so he was super fit coming in. It’s a hard decision to leave people out who have been playing, but I think he vindicated his position quite well.
Was the decision to drop Taberner anything to do with the weather?
We saw the radar it was coming in. Perth weather is hard to figure out at the minute. So that was the way we went. First half we were probably saying it was a pretty good decision and then when we were getting outmarked down the line a little bit – Grundy was a bit too big and strong for (Chris) Mayne at times, we probably could have done with that extra tall, because it put a bit of pressure on (Matthew) Pavlich.
How nervous did you get in last 10 minutes?
We knew they were coming. At times when you think, 'gees we're out, we're going to kick one', it was one of those decisions or skill errors (that let us down). Rub of the green sometimes - in the forward 50 you think, 'gees, that could have gone our way and it didn't', and then down the other end it goes their way a little bit. I was concerned. Adam Goodes was on fire. They started to bounce out of our forward 50 a bit. But I knew we would fight. That will bring us to a hard edge. But the narrative has been we haven't played our best footy. I think we agree with that. We've shown glimpses. I think the first half was pretty good. The third quarter we had a bit of a wreck on our hands,. I thought we turned it around, particularly in the first half of that last quarter. As good teams do they came again and took some half opportunities.
How close was McPharlin, will two weeks be enough?
Yes, I think two weeks gives him a really good chance to get up. Just a bit of calf soreness. They'll work through it. Suffice to say it's like, people have got a back, or they've got a calf. He's got a calf.
Fyfe looked sore at the end of the game, is he okay?
I haven't spoken to him. Clearly he plays a physical game. I haven't got an injury report for him. I assume he's ok.
How influential was in he in today’s game?
I thought he was ok. It's hard to individualise. You're trying to sort stuff out. I thought his first half was very good. I thought third quarter he probably - some decisions didn't help him. He was solid. I think he was the highest possession winner, he played in the midfield basically. He was pretty good. Our first half was good. They got on top in the second half, but we fought on.
Cam Sutcliffe’s shoulder popped out again today. Is he okay?
It's a bit like (Jeremy) McGovern. They've got a bit of an AC. But he was fine. He finished the game full of running. The two weeks will be really good for him.
Are you aware the crowd were booing Adam Goodes?
I've been made aware of that situation. It's disappointing personally. I can only speak for myself. I think this is really simple. Once Adam made it known that he was taking in the context that he was - which he feels it's racist, and his teammates - the AFL family would prefer everyone just cheered for their own (team) and left Adam alone.
Were you surprised he got booed, because you were quite strong on it?
I'm still quite strong about it. I haven't mellowed.
Are you surprised there are still fans doing it?
I don't think it's for me to comment other than that the position is clear. Everyone puts their head on the pillow at night and deals with their own conscience. Mine's pretty good with Adam Goodes and the Indigenous community at large.
Did your performance endorse your decision to rest so many?
No, I think it's probably a bit inconclusive with the second half I think. It's a bit inconclusive, I think. First half you could probably say it was looking pretty good but I thought they probably ran out a little bit stronger. We know we get in a state, they like to continue it, so playing around with that is a bit dangerous so hopefully we'll get some benefit. But we're going to have to train hard. It's going to be a solid couple of weeks.
How do you handle the next two weeks, do you concentrate solely on you or look at the three opponents?
It's a good point. We'll do our review, first and foremost, and normally when you review, you've got to punch through and then get on the opposition so it's a real treadmill. But we’re in a position to do a really thorough review and train and move onto the opposition. So it's a mental rest and respite in some respects for us.
Is Ryan Crowley a chance to play AFL again this season?
It's a question without notice and it's not something I've thought of.
You haven't thought about it?
I think you're correct, he's been out all season and you're correct on, I just said I haven’t thought about it. So my position doesn't change because you re-ask the answer. I haven't thought about it.
What if Peel make a Grand Final, would he be a chance to play for Peel?
I'd be very happy for them. Again, I think you guys have done your research and looked at back stories. But the back stories aren't of interest to me today. I'm here to coach the team, those that are available and I think that's what it's about. But I think we can get to those questions now you've put them on the table. We can probably have a look at that and if they're possibilities we'd like Ryan to be playing footy if he can. I think it's as simply as that, once he's cleared. I don't know all the permutations of that.
