Give us your thoughts on the game Ross
I thought it was a really strong performance from the start, we just backed off a little bit. We really rated Port coming here, we still do, they're a young emerging team.
I thought we identified how we needed to compete and use the ball and defend and, fortunately, it came together really well. I thought it was an emphatic first half.


How do you think your first three quarters compared to others this year?
We feel we can play with a couple of brands or styles. We are happy to play up-tempo and use the ball and if it gets a bit more man-on-man, which the finals are going to be, we can play that.
It's always hard to make comparisons, but I will say we're aware results didn't go our way today so that's the first thing, but we stuck with our team.
We had some strong medical calls during the week with Hayden and we backed our doctors in and they were the right calls so we didn't back off in any manner.
It was a really hard decision to leave Alex Silvagni out of the team but we thought they would be small which they were. We lost a ruckman so we replaced a ruckman. Selection was difficult but I thought it turned out okay for us.
At the end of the day, the pre-planning is important but the players’ ability to go out and give the effort that they gave tonight was important. We bank four points and confidence comes from action so the only thing that mattered for me tonight was action and staying in the now.
I thought that they did that really well. We'll go away and have a sharp review and assess all the bodies and minds and see where we are at for the last game of the year.


How do you approach next week now that top two has slipped away?
It has, it definitely has.
I think Geelong are in red hot form. The odds are in their favour at home. With respect to Brisbane, it will take a big turn up.
We will be playing one of either Geelong or Hawthorn and they are both as good as each other. We just need to make sure we prepare our players in the best light possible going forward. What that looks like I'm not sure but we sill sit down during the week and bang out some ideas.
We have an opportunity to prepare for the first final as best we can.


How big of a challenge is it having to travel two weeks in a row now?
It's just part of the business. We live in WA, if you don't finish in the top two you will have to fly. We get that.
Last year we didn't (travel back-to-back).
It's swings and roundabouts, but we will be fine.


Hayden Ballantyne looked to have a scare, is he okay?
It was a rib, I thought the same thing, but the doctors laughed at me because it wasn’t (his shoulder).
He's fine.


Any other injuries from tonight?
The only concern is Nick Suban with hamstring tightness. So we subbed him out, hopefully that will come our way. Walters had a little bit of a knee tweek but it couldn't have been too sore, he almost jumped over the three-tier stand, he looks okay.


Do you look to play Aaron (Sandilands) next week?
Yes, he will play, (that) is our understanding.


Can you talk us through the emergence of Lachie Neale?
He’s playing quite well.
You work hard, get yourself in good shape and hit good form.
You play around, inside what is a very good midfield with Hill, Fyfe, Mundy, Barlow, Pearce, de Boer, Crowley, and you get an opportunity to win the ball and he’s taken his opportunity, so he keeps picking himself.
It is really pleasing.


Neale has had a bit of an injury run in the past, so is it good to get solid run into him?
It’s important for everyone to continuity, really important. He’s got continuity and he’s heard the messages about improvement and growth and he’s really grown. We can all see the growth and he’s played three very, very good games of footy in a row.


Can you flag who else you hope to bring back next week along with Aaron? Clancee Pearce and Luke McPharlin?
Yes, I think they are on schedule.


Is that a great position for you to be in?
Well they have got to get in the team (first). The incumbents are doing quite well so that’s the challenge for them. It was a pretty strong performance tonight and a couple of them will be having pretty sleepless nights really.


Were you pleased with Sheridan?
He's been strong. He's grown, which is a credit to our development academy, they are producing the goods with the players.  It's a credit to our senior players who are embracing the younger guys and helping bring them along.


Another high quality performance from Ryan Crowley on Travis Boak?
I thought we were right on top, so Ryan plays his part, the team plays their part.
If they were on top it would be harder for Ryan, but the fact that we were on top made it easier for Ryan. It was a great challenge.
They are a really young group and I think we can all acknowledge they've had a wonderful year. They have been one of the stories of the year, Ken has been terrific, and they’ve been terrific and we are just thrilled to be able to knock them over in a strong fashion tonight.


What are your thoughts on Hayden Ballantyne's game?
He was good, he got on the end of some really good work. He works hard for a player that probably had a scare last week but it turned out to be not too much.
He's really important to us, he's crumbing really well and pressuring and taking his opportunity.  


Are you comfortable with where Pav is at the moment and the way he is progressing?
Yes, he is progressing. I think he will need another run. I think he’s got more growth in him, and improvement, but I think every week we see him a little bit better. He’s kicked four tonight. I think they (Port) rate eight for defence so our offence is functioning ok.
But still plenty of room for improvement.