Adam, you were in it right up into late in that third quarter, how did you view the contest?
For three quarters we were really proud. We played with spirit, we just got knocked around again with availability pre-game with Barrass and then obviously during the game we lost three in the first quarter which I just haven't seen it happen let alone twice and both games I think the Fremantle game and the one we played today we did everything we possibly could to stay competitive to the point where we were in the game. I think Gaffy might have missed a shot to put us within eight points maybe and then they are top of the ladder, we are bottom and they're a very professional side and stuck to their system and in the end they're always a good finishing side as well. So, the last quarter we just couldn't maintain what we were doing for the first three. But we'll take a lot of positives out of that.
Those two games, the Fremantle game, and then today was even better games with little to no bench, why do you think that?
Earlier in the year we had good personnel and since the Fremantle game we haven't. So, our good players played well. You know, our leaders Oscar once against stood up as captain and Yeo back in the side in his second week. I think we've all probably underestimated how important is for us. Luke Shuey could be back next week. So hopefully that'll complement that even more. So important players haven't been playing with us and when we get them back it makes a difference.
The injuries you suffered today, have you got an early report on how those guys are?
Hewett's got a standard concussion I think, he left walking and in reasonably good spirits. West has a medial that looks like it's longer term, Hurn has a hamstring and then we lost Barrass us with a hip flexor at the captain's run yesterday so yeah, we sort of lost four before quarter time which made a bit of a challenge
Do you know how bad Barrass' injury is?
I think it's a short term. He might be back this week, if not we've got the bye after that. So you know, there's some players that are going through rehab really well at the moment I think McGovern, Darling Shuey, Cole, Cripps, and then now Barrass, I think they're possibly post bye or early round 15 16, we'll get them back. So that'll make a difference but then the synergy piece will be next piece we work through.
Sheed had 43 disposals and a goal. We've talked before about Yeo and missing him, how badly is Sheed missed when he isn’t available at points in the season?
Well, he played his 150th tonight. He missed all of last year and he missed four or five games this year. So I said this before, I can't remember the last time we had the combination that we've been preparing for with Yeo, Kelly, Sheed, Shuey, Reuben, West, Hewett and those guys, it's never happened well it hasn't happened for a long time with the senior boys. So that will happen in the next few weeks, hopefully, but looking at the big picture and the journey we're on I thought we played with spirit tonight. Beaten by a better side obviously way too good for us in the last but the stats sort of tell you that, you know, we're in the game.
What did you make of the bump on Hewett?
That was a free kick. So, we'll see what happens, it’s out of my hands.
And we saw Greg Clark go up to De Goey, is that a good thing?
Yeah, it's footy. So, it's not the first time that's happened and it won't be the last.
Are you liking what you're getting from Bailey Williams at the moment? The last couple of weeks, he seems to be imposing himself a little bit more through the middle.
Well, he's really grown. I mean, last year, he played a number of games through necessity with the Jamieson and this year he has played on his own a little bit and tonight he had Jammo to support but we've seen growth, just like we are with a lot of younger players. So, whilst Nic's not around, he's been really important for us. So today was another game where he took a step forward. I think he's part of the reason why we're pretty dominant at stages around the clearances.
With Shuey coming back next week, are you locked into him coming back? Or are you thinking maybe not after what happened today and with a bye, do you change your thought pattern at all knowing you lost three today?
I haven't thought through that yet, it's been a thought pattern I suppose we have every week at the moment. Unfortunately, it's just circumstance and you can point your finger at certain things but a guy gets knocked out, a guy hurts his knee and a 36 year old does a hamstring. We've just got to prepare them as best we can and hopefully they can come back and stay in the side.
How did you think your backline went today? You were obviously undersized, Hurn goes down early, no Barrass and you have someone like Foley going up against tall key forwards.
Yeah, we can't do much about it. Young Bazzo's second year in and he's doing his best. We were a bit undermanned down back and Collingwood exposed that to a certain degree with their height and the way they played but we just expect them to stand up and do their best. So, I don't think this sides too dissimilar to the side we played against Hawthorn. So, I think the spirit of which they played in, the energy intent and effort was there and that's what we wanted from a few weeks ago. I think the last two weeks despite the fact it's been blowouts both games I think we can all see there's a little spark there that we can work with.