Ross what did you make of that today?
It was really pleasing, we came here to improve our footy and give great effort and not focus on the result. All week we focused on our preparation to prepare us to be in a good state to play and come game day bring great effort and execute and we did that. So that was really pleasing.
What most impressed you about the way you played, in the first half in particular?
We continued on from how we played against Adelaide. We numbered off really quickly, pressured really well and went forward quickly and scored. That was really pleasing. Even in the third quarter we still had double the amount of entries, their pressure lifted and some of our decision-making just wasn’t as slick. I thought (Patrick) Cripps and (Kade) Simpson, who is a pretty special player, both really stood up. Simpson was really strong in the defensive 50 and Cripps around worked really around the ball and got forward, which helped lift them a bit. They took some opportunities and then in the last quarter, they continued on, and we allowed them to do what they do and spread the ball. The game was really good feedback, if you want to be a great team in the AFL you’ve got to be able to do it for four quarters and the full 100 minutes. Watching Sydney and West Coast last night, I think both of them just went to the end and Sydney in particular were incredibly hard and seasoned. That’s where we need to build to over a period of time.
What about winning on the road, how important was that?
It’s not a focus for me. I said during the week it’s not as bad as it’s been made out to be. I think if you just look at the pure scoreboard you could make that conclusion, but within that there were some good halves and good performances in Canberra and even Sydney, despite what the scoreboard said. But it is pleasing, it’s a sign of growth, with our young players. It was Nat Fyfe’s 150th game for the club, a milestone game. It’s been a special 150 games overall, with some great achievements and it’s important that you reflect with your effort the esteem you hold those people in and I thought our group did that today.
How do you assess the time he spent on Cripps and their battle?
It’s not something I looked at really, I think Curnow went to Fyfe a bit. Cripps flips forward a fair bit, so I wouldn’t say it was a head-to-head battle. I’m more worried about our players to tell the truth, he’s a pretty good player.
Was it pleasing to have 12 goal kickers today?
Yes, it’s good. It’s always nice to get a spread of goal kickers. It makes life easier, there are some good signs with our young key forwards. (Brennan) Cox wasn’t as dominant obviously but I though he had a few good bits of play, Michael Apeness took a couple of good clunks. We backed in Michael to get in the ruck, Aaron spent a fair bit of time forward with (David) Mundy. We had a young small forward line with (Stefan) Giro and Bailey Banfield mixed with a bit of experience from (Hayden) Ballantyne and (Brandon) Matera, which was nice.
What about the Apeness and Sandilands combo?
It’s a step in the right direction. We haven’t been able to play Michael because he hasn’t been available. We bought him back really quickly but he fatigued in the second half so he will need continuity and to build his body. He will need a big summer, he basically hasn’t had a pre-season. It’s been incredibly frustrating for him and us because it’s pretty hard to develop people when they have big significant injuries but there were some signs there today.
Nat spoke after the game about a sense of affirmation around the club last week after winning without him and Aaron in the side. Have you sensed that as well?
I don’t know about sensing it, I think it was the reality, we played without them and we won. You don’t have to sense too much. I always believe we can win. But I think you need to recognise Adelaide had a lot out, so did we with the two Hill brothers, Fyfe and Sandilands, (Matt) Taberner, that’s just off the cuff really. Today we had Alex Pearce out, Michael Walters out. But you write your own story in this business, it’s a performance industry and today we performed and we all feel a bit better about ourselves.
You are six and seven going into the bye, how have you rated your results so far?
It’s not our story, and it’s never been. You add up your wins and losses at the end of the year, but we are really about development and growth. We’d love the win loss ledger to be a bit better but it’s not the singular focus. We’ve only won the last two weeks because its an outcome of improving our preparation and competition and system. If you get that right, results are just a distraction to be truthful. If I sit around talking about wins and losses, you’re defined by them and all it does is affect you. All we focus on is what we need to do which is prepare, and bring great effort and the game will be the feedback on how we are going.
You have spoken about preparation a fair bit, particularly interstate, have you seen that improving among the younger players?
Yes, they start to get routine, they start to handle the time zone difference, they start to handle the four-hour flight. Their nutrition requirements, all the little things they have to do, distractions when they come to Melbourne. Every time you have an interaction outside of your group it’s an output, so maybe they are just finding their own space a little bit more. All those things go into the mix and in the end help you with your performance.
Are there any guys you expect back straight after the bye, except for Walters?
It’s not something I’ve thought of really. I couldn’t tell you, Peel played today, and off the cuff I think Alex Pearce is an outside chance. Clearly Walters will be available which is exciting for us and Ethan Hughes was an emergency today. Harley Bennell hopefully gets through, there is a little bit down at Peel building up so that’s exciting as well.
