What were your first thoughts after that Ross?
Really good hit out, thought Geelong were really focused, I think we were relatively focused. It was a pleasing hit out. Good, tough conditions, played in the right spirit. It was good.

What did you make of Harley’s first hit out?
I thought he contributed strongly, hit the scoreboard, he was selfless, a bit to like.

It seemed surprising to people that he played as much as he did? Was that always the plan? Does that mean he was closer to full fitness?
We said he’s been in full training for a while and we’ve been preparing him really well. We’ll sit down and assess all players, what they did and where they are at. And he will get an opportunity to play with Peel next week, which he understands.

If he gets through that, he’ll be pretty right to go for round one?
If you’re picking the team he probably is, if I’m picking the team we’ll probably have a discussion.

So you’re basically unsure for round 1 with Harley Bennell?
Yes.

Will we see Ballantyne and Mundy play in the WAFL as well next week?
I wouldn’t have thought so.

What did you make of Mundy’s game?
I was more looking at the big picture stuff. I haven’t drilled in too much. Everyone had their moments, I think he was fine. We put him in half back a little bit, I thought he was ok. I don’t know how high or low. I didn’t see too many low or high moments, but I thought he was ok.

Bennell fires in first game for Freo

How did Michael Johnson pull up after the tackle?
I haven’t spoken to him. That will be with the medical guys. You can ask questions about it but I didn’t see it. I saw the replay of it, the reality is I don’t want to comment. It’s not my job to comment, no one likes to see players get hurt from either side. But at the end of the day, concussions are a part of AFL football. If he is concussed, which I think he is, but I haven’t officially been told anything yet and it will go through the process.

Do you have any other injuries worries?
Spurr tightened up in the hamstring/back but he’s fine. Peel are still playing I would imagine, so hopefully there is some pressure put on down there. We’re pretty fit and healthy at the minute. You see some of the other carnage around the league, you hold your breath but at the end of the day we are getting ready for round one. We still have got plenty of improvement in us. There’s some good signs today.

Were you happier with the ball movement this game?
I thought it was ok. Some things we have been working on have been there, some positioning, some adjustments to our system. There’s some really good things. We’ve got a formidable opponent in the Western Bulldogs (in round one). They had a good hit out with Collingwood. They are certainly a challenger, a team on the rise. It’s at their home ground, a significant challenge for us but one we are up for.

Just touching back on Harley, how do you assess that he gelled with the rest of the team?
I thought he was ok, I didn’t tune into him too much. I just looked at the bigger picture, he impacted the scoreboard, thought he had some really sharp hands, thought he was selfless. His intensity at times could maybe be a bit better but I think his teammates enjoyed playing with him and he enjoyed playing with them. Ultimately that’s the measure, when you go down the race you want to be able to trust someone. We give and trust, and build trust so that’s where it probably sits.

Zac (Clarke) and Jon (Griffin), how did you see their combination with a view to round one?
I thought they were just steady. I thought they lowered their colours at times and I think they had opportunities to impact. They will probably need to step it up a bit.

Match highlights

How are you viewing that ruck combination heading in the Western Bulldogs game without Aaron?
What you saw, it is what it is. Jack Hannath is around the edges but he hasn’t been at his best. Jack understands that. It’s probably those two.

Does Zac need another run for Peel?
He’ll play next week, he’s part of that group. He’s a running machine.

What was the thought process with Lachie Weller only playing the last quarter?
It’s just how it panned out. Sometimes you make selection decisions. We clearly filtered it down to really big opportunities but we felt some others had done a bit more. That’s the reality of it.

You’ve gotten through unbeaten, can you sum up how you feel about the whole NAB Challenge campaign?
I don’t focus on the scoreboard as a measure. I think we are fit and conditioned and it gives a good opportunity. I think there has been strong rule implementation. I think the game is in really good shape. We come out of this NAB Challenge thinking AFL footy is in as good a shape as it has been for a while. There’s some excitement in there, there’s some quick ball movement. The game has changed a bit, that would be my take.  As a format, I like the three games and getting out to the communities. Getting to Mt Barker and Albany, 5000 people there, we loved it. We really enjoyed it and think that’s a good initiative. A long term sponsor (NAB) that we really respect, they give a lot to football and its not round one, but we treat it with the respect it deserves and we enjoyed the format. There has been some formats in the past that we haven’t enjoyed, I have had no angst at all this summer. The players have been able to prepare as professional players for round one.

When you said you think the games changed, do you mean the 10-metre zone rule that has come in?
I don’t know what it is but maybe it’s the interchange. I think it’s a combination of all the rules but just an observation. I think there has been some positivity.

What’s the plan for the guys who aren’t playing for Peel on the weekend?
They shake my hand Friday, off they go and I see them Monday. We don’t want them to live in a monastery. We like them to get out, enjoy themselves with their family and friends. It’s one of their last weekends (before round one). Always apply common sense, hold the club, your family and yourself in good esteem and good self respect and we’re all ok.