What was the most pleasing aspect of the performance?
We started really well again. They’re one of the best three starting teams in the AFL if you look at the first few weeks and they would've been prepared for us, so to come out and be dominant in the first quarter was really pleasing. Then just with some of our challenges with the two concussions ­ or really head hits more than anything, ­ the ability to run it out strongly and finish really strongly. We dominated general play nearly all day, we just made some sloppy entry decisions. We’re just trialing some things defensively to help us in certain areas and we just overplayed that, which just made our backs vulnerable and a couple got stood on from behind a little bit. But we'll work on that. It was a dominant midfield performance, plenty of opportunities and I thought all divisions played their part. But I thought we should have been further ahead. I was just a bit frustrated. In the third quarter we had 16 entries and just slaughtered the ball a bit. If you take away a 50m penalty, a free kick off the ball and a slip over, they’ve probably got three less goals. So it was a strong performance, but in fairness that’s what we should be doing if we want to head where we want to go against a team that’s rebuilding.

Was it as close to a full four-quarter performance you've had this season?
It would have to go close.

What’s the latest on the injuries?
We’re all fine except those couple of head knocks. (Michael) Walters put his head in the hole and copped a clip. (Matthew) Pavlich took a mark, took two steps and then copped a hit to the head. It wasn’t ideal. He’s pretty special to us. But I haven’t got the medical (report), except the doctors felt he couldn’t continue. I didn't really discuss it with the players, they always want to play and come on. But once the doctor said he’s not quite right, that's the end of it.

Head hits hurt Freo

Were you pleased with Chris Mayne?
I think he’s back to his very best of a couple of years ago. His pressure was always there last year but we said we were using him a bit too high, so his hunting territory has changed a bit. He’s a little bit deeper (and playing) a bit more of a tall role, so that's helped him and the team. I'm really pleased for Chris because he never stopped working. We never lost faith in Chris but we just needed to reposition him and he's playing some pretty good footy for us.

Did Hayden Ballantyne just need a run?
It was really hard to pick up where you left off. Difficult day. Once he started referencing our talls and started to crumb, like in the last quarter, I thought he was a lot more effective. They’re pretty good players and Garland was rolling off him a bit and impacting our talls, but once he got his positioning right I thought he became effective late.

Are Freo in the best shape they've ever been in?
I think statistically it’s our best start since I’ve been there. But the challenges keep coming at you. We know Essendon are a really powerful team. We’ve got a short break. We’ve got to get back on the bird and go. We’ll breathe out tonight, we’ll enjoy that performance. It’s important to come here and play well and we did that. With (Ryan) Crowley under voluntary suspension, (Colin) Sylvia gone and (Anthony) Morabito long-term injured. As much as it’s not affecting us now, it stings us a bit more than we’d like over the journey of the year. Three incapacitated off your primary list is not ideal. On the surface it seems we are pretty fit and healthy but we’ve got those three that are unlikely. It puts us under more pressure than we should be. In saying that, (Tommy) Sheridan and (Hayden) Crozier were really strong (for Peel Thunder), Tendai (Mzungu) was a sub (last week against Sydney). We’ve got a bit building but we are in decent shape. That can change in a moment. I was at Carlton and they were flying. There was a game at Optus Oval and they lost three. They lost Ratten, Bradley to his hamstring, Chriso did his quad and Silvagni got knocked out. Then you go into a final vulnerable, it changes pretty quickly.

Will you just keep playing your best team then?
We just like to win, so if you play your best team you’re probably a better chance to win. Illness and injury take care of rotations. We were on record as saying at the half way mark we’ll assess (Zac) Dawson, who’s back in full training, but we lose (Alex) Silvagni for 10 weeks. It tends to take care of itself. If we say at the half way mark, we have an opportunity; we’ll look at it but it's six weeks to the half way mark.

You were looking to kick more goals in the off-season how did you rate the team's offence side of the game?
Solid. Moments we’ve been really good, other moments we’ve not been so good. It’s a work in progress. We are getting better.

Is it pleasing you're not relying on one player and that you have so many avenues at goal?
It’s important to spread the load. We clearly don’t rely on one player. I don’t think we have that type of player. Pav’s been a great player, he’s still a very good player. We like to spread the load, we need to spread the load. We’ll aim to continue to spread the load of goal kickers.

Were you happy to be playing at the 'G'?
Happy to come here a little bit more often. We are happy to play Geelong here and a couple of others. It is really pleasing. Obviously, at the Saints I used to get here a bit more often. We have two for the year here. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter, does it?

Will Walters and Pavlich be in doubt due to their concussions?
I think you’re correct, I’ve already answered the question and I have nothing further to add.