Q: What is your position – there is a lot of discussion on the question to come. Is this the best position in this regard? Most would say it isn’t. If so, how do you fix it? A: We would have loved to play Will Kelly all season but it was an unfortunate injury for him We think he’s a likely guy Mark Keane played a game We’d like him to play more We think he’s going to move on Than whether forward or backward we think he has attributes to both key forward-thinking potential I think the way the game is played, I mean it’s more multidimensional forwards There is not a lot of Tom Hawkins and Charlie Dixons around and Mason Cox played a part for us and was a bit of a target for us in front of the ball So I guess if you have one of these guys you do better than most But I think the way the game is played and the way it is challenged and defended, you know, bigger bigger and bulkier attackers is not your answer So you have to have an air force I think the absolute key talk forward, I mean I don’t know how people rated, you know, the competition’s legitimate key attackers How they thought their seasons were going on But the All-Australian team would suggest that there were only a few guys who really stood up to it
Q: And maybe De GoeyR: Yeah, I mean – we don’t live in a vacuum We are aware of the conversations that take place And especially at this time of year and beyond the scuttlebutt J ‘was disappointed to learn during the week we missed on Josh Kennedy The first I heard about it but disappointing we missed it’ Jordy ‘loves the club He wants to be here Elements of people on his side would love see him paid the best You know we want him to be rewarded appropriately as well, as we do the other 44 guys on our list for what they bring to the table So I think that’s what which it boils down to because there is no lack of belief in what the place – what the place has done for him, what it brings him and the opportunity it offers and the love, care and connection that he owes not only with the club but in particular his teammates But yes, there still has to be a result monetary situation satisfactory for both parties
Q: Do you think he’ll want to talk to other clubs as part of this process to glean what’s out there? A: Most players do, yes and if they don’t, their managers will. It’s – we’re – we’re in an open market If you’re a non-contract or free agent it’s for what it is designed
Q: Do you think you are active in low season? A: Listen, I think we think we have scope.I would suggest that once we find out the size of the list, we have a little more, some kind of concrete ground to work on But there will be – there will be a large percentage of players who are not on the AFL rosters next year There will be an adjustment in that regard You know, we – we feel we have a really good idea of what we have and what we need and we will be as aggressive as possible We have now won finals in each of the last three years and have not been able to get to exactly where we want to be, but we have to keep going to improve ourselves There’s no stopping There’s no slowing down in that regard You know I know the key forward is an area We still have to, you know, rebuild our midfield and find different – you know a way for guys to go through this This could be a target area Outdoor running, high forwards and wingers could be an area we need to look at We think our backs are pretty set We have some key areas to look at and we will continue to do this I think understanding you is the most important step you need to take before determining what you need to get in and we think we have a good grasp of that
Q: Are you going to draft? A: Look, we did – I saw Quaynor and Daicos go by This year has been really positive You know that we will be doing these evaluations and it’s difficult to do these evaluations since not all junior competitions have been played Our roster management has been strong, our recruiting arm has been strong They’ll look different from next year and beyond We’ll go write if we need it I guess it depends on the where you think you can settle down and access that you can access, talent that you feel you value We need to be able to meet our needs and if we can do that at a certain level of writing we will go to writing
Q: Gorgeous last week and got beaten to the smut front tonight Were there any warning signs you saw coming? A: It happened pretty quickly A lot we couldn’t get there and Geelong was a lot sharper than us on the inside They controlled the ball when they had it They got it back from us when we got it for them a few times we did it So yeah those were times we did it So yeah it was as complete a loss as you’re gonna see i would have thought
Q: Did you spend all of your tokens last week? A: The evidence suggests it We didn’t think it We didn’t think we had it until it was obvious we had No it wasn’t in our language We were – you know we were optimists You know we kept finding a way this year for the most part We never really felt like we had a momentum and when we had it you know I think most of the teams will feel like this When you got it it’s hard to keep It’s just this year for everyone It was – you’re not going to see a one-sided game very often
Q: What do you tell players when they lose hope at half-time, three-quarters or even earlier? A: It’s begging about our character and our pride, I guess When I see – I see young men looking at me when I talk to them anytime and what I see is young men who are so awesome by the way they are doing – that will really give everything they got So the only way I can understand a result like tonight is that we had nothing more to give Because – I don’t know what the fans at home see or feel when they see this band going about their business, but I personally know that we – I’m so impressed with our band and how they behave and how they deal with you knowing the setbacks and the challenges and how resilient they’ve become We haven’t posted this at all tonight It’s pretty hard to fathom But I know we’re made of harder stuff You know we’re gonna – we will find the positives and move forward from that It’s very hard to feel that or see that right now
Q: Last week has been an amazing week for the club Did you pack anything tonight? A: That’s not what we wanted We left last week – well, it felt like we left last week last week But I mean – obviously there is – when you look at something thing like that it’s hard not to look at it and say, ‘well you fired your last shot last week and maybe we’re a little happy with ourselves’ i know our band , we were really focused There was certainly nothing in our language or in our attitude that showed it was a hangover, but it was clear in our actions that we just couldn’t – we weren’t able to to bring the same energy that we – that we got to, know you, take it for granted, I guess one of the words I guess to describe how we’re feeling right now is shock You feel like that when you are ambushed There is no doubt that we have been taken is in ambush We knew what was coming We knew we had to meet him We couldn’t meet him, the fact that we couldn’t meet him is the disappointing part
Q: What do you say about the loss of confidence I’m not talking about tonight I’m talking about synergy – was it a lack of confidence? A: I don’t think we ever gave up or lost the belief that we were going to be able to get there In proof, we should have come in tonight pretty confident about what we were able to produce last week You know, we probably have played three really poor games this year and each of them has been – well, I don’t know what the final margin is Each was defeated by 10 goals, against the West Coast in the eighth round, against Melbourne here, then against Geelong So we played three really mediocre games I think our biggest loss margin outside of that was 18 points in Port Adelaide a few weeks ago We’ve been as consistent and competitive as anything But we’ve had three bad games on – you know – 19 What’s a good or bad report depending on how you look at it
Q: After an incredible round-trip season there was a so-called ‘monkey on the back’ in terms of the finals. I know you thought the term was lazy in terms of analysis Was that the one of the most incredible performances as a coach and a proud one R: I’m proud of the players and coaches They are the ones who get the most airtime in our conversations and our headspace in preparation for every game We were convinced we could build on the way we’ve played this year And we thought we played well last week without coming close to our best and today we were pretty close to our best evaluate these things I think there is a determination within our squad to find a way to try and play better and if we do we will be hard to beat
Q: Special attention this week to start so strong? A: It really helps This is where – like, even coaching is easy because what you want to happen is easy to identify How do you really go about it – there is planning and preparation, but the responsibility really lies with the players at the time. I think as it always is, they should be given credit for setting up the game the way they did
Q: The talk during the week, the discussions about the sets and all the speculation about the final Did the team take this personally? A: It’s hard for me to answer I doubt that it certainly wasn’t the sense I had I think – like I said I think you’d be surprised at how some people there understood me, hear little about it You are obviously aware of the criticisms when it comes But this is the job we are in I said during the week that if we feel a little bit of pressure we should consider it as a privilege It’s hard to get to this stage of the year And you know there are easier places to live at this time of year But you know – there’s a risk You put yourself in danger and if you don’t pass you get criticized It’s fair enough We’d rather take this emotional risk and put ourselves in danger Risk this review to test us and so, no I think it’s a bad state of mind if you get extra motivation because of what people who don’t live in your area are saying world I think our motivation was much purer than that
Q: You would have had great confidence in the team. Were you even surprised at the quality of their play tonight? A: There is always the element of the unknown at this time of year.I guess I was surprised given the pattern that our games with Collingwood have been following lately, in recent years they have been very low score games and a real grind So even when we got the first two goals early, we thought – at least I thought it was useful, but the rest of the game was going to be a showdown. It didn’t turn out that way It’s hard to gauge why Hopefully a good part of it was that our guys were really good in the contest and performed really well As much as anything last week we just didn’t take advantage of the opportunities we worked hard to get It was much, much better tonight
Q: Do you think this was your best performance of the year? A: Probably, given the stakes, but again I find it really hard to compare It’s hard to assess that you know some of the hurdles and hurdles the opposition was going through We had some good games here We love the sol We think it suits our eyes a bit But we played a really good game here against the Saints Yeah, considering the stakes you know I’m happy But focused on next week too
Q: Chris, what about the Gabba that you think suits your style? A: I’m trying to think of what I’m ready to say I think our execution here was good in front of goal It’s an intangible one Sometimes the guys taking the pictures for us, you know, Rohan and Hawkins in particular, even Dangerfield here, they just seem to be settling for some reason There are some things I have a theory that I’m not ready to expand on publicly We’ve played three times Well done every time times This is the fourth
Q: Will he be diluted with the mob against Brisbane? A: The crowd is in their favor Both teams – three teams if you include West Coast – that finished in the top five have played a lot of home games in front of a home crowd It’s the weirdness of how this year went Brisbane will be used to it It is very rare that you play an away preliminary final after playing four games at the site in preparation and we are only an hour by bus on the road we are on regulars I think it will make sense for them to be among the favorites considering they played so well against Richmond last week and have a bit of an edge over the home crowd. But I think there will also be a few Catters here
Q: What did you learn from the previous preliminary finals? A: Every year is a new year
Q: So nothing A: Well, what was the number? I’m not sure about the numbers to be honest? What happened five years ago like, I mean I could be wrong I’m open to the possibility that I’m wrong I just don’t think it has a huge impact on Sam Simpson and Gary Rohan and Luke Dahlhaus and Rhys Stanley and you know the whole crowd of players who weren’t playing five years ago I still have to be careful with my word I don’t think it’s relevant
Q: How do you have a preference for – how are you going to find the balance ahead? A: Our process is that we consider our top players to be experts and we consult a lot in the week. If they really want something, they tend to get it Unless it’s a significant structural issue, team prioritizes Corey Enright works closely with forwards Tom Hawkins has his say After we set up an ongoing planning place, we read the game and try to figure out where it is best suited It’s a collaboration
Q: He started – normally he’s in goal plaza but tonight he wasn’t. Is it a different decision to bring him into the game? A: Not to bring it into the game There was a specific reason for that Yeah
Q: Gary Ablett has one or two more games to play Do you celebrate before or not, this is prelim Is there a way to use what he has accomplished or not? Maybe I think we have a few in this boat too Including – including our off-field employees It’s hard to get these opportunities and it comes with – you know it comes with some pain There’s a cost Again you have to take this risk on the line Whether this is potentially the last game of your career or you are a young player or coach who thinks you have plenty of time my great coach said what its great coach told him: « It’s always later than you think » For us, giving priority to someone who will finish at the end of the year over others, it might not also be long as they think so, I think that would be a mistake
Q: It must be nice A: It’s going Nice after a pretty disappointing performance the week before in Adelaide We knew we weren’t playing the football we wanted We didn’t convert our opportunities I thought it was a good turnaround tonight against a team which – which has had an incredible race the last few weeks and months
Q: You’ve been around for a while now You’ve seen the game evolve and change I think the defenses have improved so much in the last 10 years You’ve seen this unfold Is it harder now than ever to play the key forward? I guess with more confidence in how I – I can play every week, more confidence in my body and being a senior player who’s been playing for a long time now, I – I probably find it a little easier to be honest Les Shorter quarters definitely help me this year, a little more fatigue in the game It kinda helps me in the game It kinda helps me in the way I play There have been some challenges throughout my career, the way I had to change my body shape and evolve with the game There have certainly been times that have been more difficult but I feel really confident in my body, in the way I play and in what I bring to the team
Q: Congratulations on a heartbreaking Coleman Medalist year and a grand final of four goals I think that could have been the 600 career goal where you normally blend left to right You have one that goes right to left Was it an intentional kick or how did you slide it the other way? A: It wasn’t really – I – obviously it was well documented I had a bad week in goal last week I thought I was in the game and provided and got opportunities, but I didn’t converted So it was disappointing For me late tonight I told Gary Rohan after the game we both practiced our goal kicks this week because it wasn’t where it needed to be last week and when the game was sort of over at the end of the fourth quarter I had the opportunity to go back I thought it was really important for my confidence to move forward to go back and focus on the fundamentals of what makes me kick well This one happened straight ahead I don’t often know what turns the ball left to right, but that’s what I got used to with my kicks
Q: You join Gary Ablett Senior and Doug Wade as the only cats to score 600 goals These are amazing names A: it’s amazing Two people I rode – I certainly couldn’t watch Doug Wade but I know a lot about – I know a lot about Geelong’s history and being able to be up there with these two people is pretty special So the job is not done We have more important things to worry about, but these are just nice little achievements along the way
Q: What about one of your best friends, you’ve obviously played your whole career together, Joel Selwood We take for granted how tough he is Again this week, after being operated on eight days ago and go out and do what he did tonight you have to shake your head at the leadership and courage of this guy he has every week for the clubA: You’re right There was no doubt he was going to play Gives himself every opportunity every week with the body as a 32-year-old has been criticized for a 14-year career He still has plenty of football Obviously I’m coming to – and I’ve seen it firsthand for a long time But it was a wonderful effort He leads ahead He’s a true warrior and champion of our football club
Patrick Dangerfield was the best player on the pitch tonight and spoke to Channel Seven after qualifying for his fifth career prelims
Q: You spent a lot of time moving forward tonight Throwing all four goals What was the percentage split tonight? It felt like you were inside 50 for most of the game tonight R: It was, I guess, a somewhat deep role with ‘Ro’ [Gary Rohan] working against the right interception markers that Collingwood got there We felt going into the week that was probably going to be the best position I guess To try and stretch them out there And our midrange was sensational around the ball Rhys Stanley formidable in the ruck We won the clearance and I think we retained possession We were still able to methodically move the ball to the ground and create damaging sets of plays When we controlled play last week we just couldn’t convert that in scores While tonight it was nice that we found some leads to reach
Q: Paddy you were splitting open packs all over the place tonight You were playing kind of like Dermott Brereton What was all that? A: Just the role, I think If you can skip one make sure [Darcy] Moore doesn’t mark it We know what an amazing season he’s had and how essential he is for Collingwood This was going to be important to us. It’s no secret Every team has known It is hard to try to stop you from knowing a player of this quality We have told all of our forwards except Luke Dahlhaus if you have room to run and jump, so run and jump
Q: You had four goals, which is your career record in the final You had the opportunity at the end of the match to receive a small handball award from [Tom] Hawkins and make five He just walked past you R: A little selfish from the big guy We’re talking about a team philosophy first He’s right behind the camera now Actually yeah, we got a little help on goal Could have been there ‘keep in mind But it’s good to see the big guy get up and roll
Q: Both banana goals from the same spot in the pocket You couldn’t have hit them better Tell us about the second because I thought it was a behind Scoring review decided that it was a goal R: I live on the floor, I think I’m a better judge on goal than you are sitting in the lounge chair I thought it was passing I’m happy to take this one
Q: Getting your mind moving I know you want to sit back and relax and enjoy this for a while Foreplay doesn’t make the Brisbane Lions much fat on their terrace next Saturday It will be huge Crowd will be behind them You’ll be looking forward to that It’s a tough team A: without a doubt It’s a wonderful challenge We’ll set ourselves from you know the start of the season to put us in that position and meet the challenges ahead You know, I congratulations all the teams for what everyone is – the travel schedule this year And playing is quite another thing We were happy with what we were able to do The challenges like you said are no bigger than Brissy on the pitch It feels like we’re playing good football here We can’t wait Like you said, these opportunities in football and in life don’t present themselves very often We will take advantage of tonight And then we looked rons looking forward to and really embrace the week and you know take it head on
Q: You were exceptional A: I felt stable behind the ball I thought we were moving better Port Adelaide was great last week We wanted to come out and respond We like playing Gabba Well started Great first half to prepare for the victory
Q: You start on the wing, work on defense, all of a sudden [Rhys] Stanley needs a break so you jump into the ruck R: It was kind of like that I thought Rhys was awesome in the ruck I cut him off a bit when he went to the bench « Scotty » [coach Chris Scott] said, « Play more of a smooth game, try to come back to help the defenders
Q: Gary [Ablett] said « Scotty » throughout the week was positive What messages did he give you? A: We were confident, we know our way, can stand up to many teams We wanted to make sure we try to play that way Make sure we had a positive week, trained really well and we are out and we are not dead The first trimester set it up for us
Q: You dominated every facet of the game It was a strong response from your guys What did you think of that performance? A: Super proud of the guys Great effort Disappointed to come out last week We thought we played well When you lose finals like that you seem to get a little bit of criticism We came out, played great early Gave a lot of confidence to our group and yeah i mean we just gotta keep building here
Q: It was a nice little goal to finish an overall team performance for you Surgery just eight days ago, how did your finger hold up on you tonight? Won’t say it’s been a short week at all It’s been a hell of a long week Yeah, it was – you know just couldn’t keep it last week in the second half We had to do something about it Go- a little more stable It’s good
Q: Paddy Dangerfield – how good was he tonight? Different role for him this year It’s not about him getting over 30 [touches] every week Yes, he still had 19 and kicked four [goals] tonight His ability to crash and really improve in games like this, right? A: Yeah, and to be honest I don’t even want to talk about him because the rest of the band was fantastic tonight He’s a star He gets everything he deserves but as a band we’re building we building all year round Looking forward to what will happen next
Q: Another great win for Geelong Football Club Great way to bounce back R: Absolutely Super proud of the boys It was disappointing last week You know we had a great week on the ‘Scotty’ track [the coach Chris Scott] kept us motivated all week Talking about the quality of our year If we can play our style of play for four quarters you know then we thought we would win We did that tonight
Q: You dominated the saves in the first half Defensively the team was solid R: Absolutely The biggest change from playing earlier in the season, we probably went too down the line We wanted to trade the ball, controlling the ball and obviously moving forward at the right time We did it very well
Q: The skipper [Joel Selwood] – 13 series finals in his 14 years Was there any doubt he wasn’t going to play? A: No, no, I asked him after the game how was his finger? Knew he was going to have surgery We always knew he was going to play He’s a badass You know I mean he’s been a skipper for so long There’s a reason He was great tonight and we’ll get ready for next week
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World News – UA – As it is: cats Rampaging Geelong enter preliminary final after crushing Collingwood Magpies
