How is the heart rate after that – it was a pretty tight finish?
It’s just starting to come down now. The last quarter was a big effort, we always thought we were a chance because we’re a pretty fit side and we can run out (games) and it was at the scoring end but when we needed three goals with six minutes to go I didn’t think it was looking good at that stage.
In your involvement in footy where does that rank in terms of wins?
I’m not going to say it’s one of the best ones, it was a very good one and it was really pleasing that the group came together after starting poorly. We got in quite late last night and we thought our preparation was good but we were in trouble, you always do remember those come from behind wins so it’s definitely up there, but we’ve got some other bigger ones to come still aswell.
Where was the game won for you today?
It was with our pressure and that’s where it was lost early. They are an amazing handball team, they’re the best in the comp and we wanted to keep their handball efficiency low but in the first quarter they were at 87 per cent so we just weren’t getting to that. We probably had too many people going to one player, once we sorted that we kept them below that, I think the second quarter we got them to 47 percent and that’s when we started to play our style and that’s what we need to do all the time. We have to pressure sides in different ways, that was the way we needed to pressure Carlton (but) it took us a little while to get at them, they’re such a good handball side and they use it so well in that area.
How pleased were you with the players composure to not give in and just keep going?
Yes, and also Gemma Houghton had a bad day… she was comprehensively beaten today but it was pleasing that she kept at it and if she didn’t stand up in those last few minutes then we wouldn’t have got there. I thought Sabreena Duffy competed well all day, things didn’t go her way but they did late and that’s what we need from them, just that effort to compete because Gemma had an ordinary day but at least she was there at the end to capitalise on the good work of the midfielders.
Coming into finals – how important is it to have the really tight run home that you do?
It’s so good. We just spoke then, it’s so much better to wake up in the morning and not be sure if you’re going to win or lose. That competitiveness to get you going and we’ve got that for, hopefully another five weeks from here on in. The two tough games to come and then finals, so we’re really looking forward to that and it’s the best part of footy playing games like that.
Did the first quarter take you by surprise how off your team looked?
Yes it did a bit, the signs from this morning and our warm up were really good so we were pretty confident they were going to start well. Definitely some flashbacks from the 2019 prelim during the first quarter when they got hold of us early. I was a bit surprised, sometimes you can tell when you’re up and down and I thought we were up today and that’s credit to Carlton, they’re a good side. I think they’ve been sold short a bit. They lost to Collingwood in the first game by six points, had a pretty average one against the Western Bulldogs and then have won three of their last four before today so they’re a good side and it wasn’t a surprise that they played well. We were just happy to get them in the end.
What time did you get in last night?
It was about 6.30pm/ 7pm by the team we into the airport but actually trying to get to sleep is a bit difficult with the three-hour time difference. The game today started at 10.10am Perth time so it’s a bit like back to under 10’s for them but the girls didn’t really complain, they were fine with it. All signs were that they were ready to go, a few coffees this morning and we were up and about. The start maybe didn’t show that, but it will be interesting to analyse back into it to see what the reasons were.
Janelle Cuthbertson’s had a ripping season, is it just experience or has she done anything more over summer?
I think it’s just experience. Last year she was at training at the back just learning, this year she knows what she’s doing so then she’s practicing it more at training. She was phenomenal, she got some big hits today and to keep Tayla Harris at five touches as well, she’s been so good for us all year and the girls really love playing with her.
Kiara Bowers, what a performance from her individually?
We said we wanted Bowers vs Prespakis all day and we got that apart from when Prespakis went forward. Obviously she’s the barometer, Maddy, the way she plays. Last year every time they won I think she got top votes. It’s a real luxury that not many coaches have to get their best player to play a defensive role, she was phenomenal Kiara, 28 touches and 11 tackles and kept Maddy to 18 and just let herself down on the scoreboard, she could’ve kicked two goals but just missed them. Her game was absolutely first class today.
Any injuries?
Not that I know of at the moment, it looks pretty good. (Haylie) Miller copped one in the stomach right on the siren but apart from that I think we got through fine. We’ve got a few players back playing WAFLW as well so the list is probably the healthiest it’s been since I’ve been here as well which is really pleasing that those girls can play and stake their claim so we’re in a good space at the moment.
As we try and return to some sort of normality, is it good to get a win on the road?
Yes it is, because we’ve never known exactly what’s going to happen, I suppose we still don’t but just fingers crossed this time. We’re ready for anything but it would be nice to let the season get to a proper conclusion from here so fingers crossed that it does. You have to feel for Brisbane today who have had a lot of travel and then to cop this as well so you feel for them but they always put up a fight I know that. There’s a sense of normality, but we’re ready for anything as well.
