Players Will Feed Off Cook’s Return: Harvey
Assistant Coach Mark Harvey expects Fremantle to draw strength from the return of gutsy midfielder Troy Cook for Saturday night’s Derby
Cook will make his first appearance for the 2007 season after recovering from an ankle injury and Harvey anticipates his inclusion will inspire the Fremantle line up.
“The emotion of having Troy in the side will be good for the team. We all know and admire the way he plays,” Harvey said.
“We think Cook brings a lot of things to our side other than just (hardness). He will be asked to do a few things.”
Cook’s return will add extra toughness to the midfield as it combats the premiership midfield of the Eagles.
On the back of the 30-year-old’s inclusion, Harvey said the playing group did not need any extra motivation ahead of the clash with West Coast.
“You don’t actually have to say too much as a coaching group or as a playing group. They just go out there because of the emotion and build up to the game and every headline that has been in the papers and every media interview that has taken place – it’s enough (motivation) for them.”
With the battle of the ruckmen set to be one of the highlights of Carlton Mid Derby 25, Harvey says the evolution of Aaron Sandilands will hold him in good stead against West Coast’s ruck department.
“His game is changing, particularly in the rucking area. When the opposition study you, if you are one dimensional or two dimensional they quickly find that out. So you have to come up with stage three and four. He is doing that.”
Listen to Mark Harvey’s press conference in full on ‘Freo Radio.’