It would have pleased you to have won in a different manner?
Heading into half time, what was your approach toward the players? Were you reassuring them despite not making the most of your dominance on the scoreboard?"Yeah, conditions obviously in the first half were difficult, particularly [in the] first quarter. Credit to Richmond, I thought they brought the best version of their pressure, which made it a difficult game. It's always pleasing to get the four points. You keep banking them this time of the year. They're important".
Despite the ugly and scrappy nature of the win, you must be happy to have found a way to grind it out?"We kept the opposition to 1 goal for a half, and you're not going to lose too many games when that's the case. When you don't kick accurately, then you give the opposition hope. It was just about knowing that they were going to come, but then being able to manage that and then go again. I was really pleased. After the game, I just spoke to the group about Darcy Moore. There was a spoil on the far side at a critical time and that just changed momentum and those [are the] little moments that we want to cherish and reward because they inspire others".
What improvement do you think you have left in your side after an impressive first three weeks? It almost feels like you've reached the finished product."Yeah, that's it. No one goes back in time and looks at the premiership team and looks at how they won every game, but you've got to qualify and that's all we're about doing right now is to try and perform every week. Opposition start to take things away from you. It's a hard game this one, it's a hard game. To get away with a win in those conditions and against quality opposition was important".
What's the news with Darcy Cameron? You're now light on ruck stocks."We don't live in a finished space. There's no cap on it. We live in a growth mindset. I like to think our best days are tomorrow. Why would we put a ceiling on ourselves or look for 'perfection'? It's a word I actually don't like. Trying to be 'perfect' means you're finished. We're far from that. We've got a long way to go. There's major parts of our game we're still tinkering with and as I said, you've got to evolve throughout the season because teams take things away from you".
Who will be the go to person to do the rucking duties?"We've had a bad week in the ruck stakes. Lost Mason [Cox] for a period of time and now it looks like Darcy [Cameron] will be out for a significant period. We'll find out more but the initial diagnosis is a high grade MCL which I don't know how long that is. We'll wait and see".
Would you look at someone such as Aiden Begg?"I had a half joke with Jamie [Elliott] on the way out that he might be rucking next week [LAUGHS*]. I don't know. Funnily enough, we talked about this before the game yesterday around what if young Darcy [Cameron] went down and so we've got a few things up our sleeve but it's a shame. We hope it's good news and our thoughts and prayers are with him".
You must have been very pleased with Billy Frampton's performance tonight?"Well, Aiden Begg is not fit and available. He's probably a month away himself. He's got his own issues at the moment. We might have to be a little bit creative but we'll wait and see".
Seems like the new recruits are having a big impact for you early in the season?"Yeah, I said this a couple of weeks ago that Billy's best is in front of him when he gets to know our system and believes in himself. It's a big stage; 85,000. Thanks to the Pies supporters that keep turning up. We love you. For Billy, he just looks like an AFL player. We knew this when we recruited him of what he could be. He's starting to fulfil that. It's early days but that's a good performance for Bill".
It's been reported that Jeremy Howe has an infection following his surgery?"Yeah, Graham Wright's in the room. He's done an enormous job in our list management and getting things sorted. We knew we had to improve our depth. We had a lot of close games last year. We knew we had to improve certain parts of our game. Still, we're not perfect here. We're a work in progress and it's pleasing already that the targets you go to and try to make your game plan better are working early in the season".
Coming back to the ruck situation, would you contemplate Billy Frampton in the ruck?"Yeah, I've visited Jeremy in hospital and unfortunately he's got an infection. It's not setting back the injury itself. It's just slowing down the recovery of certain parts of you know being able to maybe run by now. The bone itself is healing and so that's a positive. If you're watching Jeremy, we miss you mate. We love you very much. I hope you can get back to the club soon".
Oscar Steene has put in an impressive pre-season. Would you look at him?"Potentially. At the right time in a certain position. We'll have to wait and see. That's something that may come up".
You must be pleased your contested ball numbers were high again after last week?"I'm rapt with how he's going. He's an 18 year old, might be 19 now but I'm rapt with how he's developing. I've always believed in my development hat on that we set people up to succeed and we'll have to weigh up whether that's the case with him; whether it's too early. I'm not saying that it's not impossible, but I just want to set players up to succeed and it might be a bit early for him. We'll wait and see".
What did you make of Ash Johnson's performance?"Yeah, I mentioned that after the game to a pattern of behaviour that hasn't been there. It wasn't there for us last year. Our ability to outnumber the contest and step back in was evident. I thought last week was a one off. It was a home run; you know once in 20 years sort of numbers. That doesn't happen every week, so the reality is we got back to work and it was a pleasing part of our game".
On Brody Mihocek, how close was he to missing this match?"I said to Ash after the game that it's great reward for his last two weeks. It's amazing when players train at a level that's elite standards and you get paid back somewhere. He got rewarded by getting an opportunity and then we get to see a different mix to us. He's a different part of our forward line compared to Checkers and Dan [McStay]. He can be a real handful for the opposition. I was really pleased with the performance".
Another big challenge next week against Brisbane. Have you thought about the upcoming match?"Yeah, he was in doubt. Doctors were almost ruling him out. He's an incredible strong minded person that just digs in. I rewarded him after the game. I just thanked him so much for his want to want to play and to do everything mentally to be a part of the team. He got a nasty gash on his eye; stitches. It was a bit of a memory for this performance but he's critical to us".
Apart from the injuries you've mentioned, is it right that there are no other injuries to report of?"No, I promise our players to stay in the moment. There'll be plenty of time to talk about the future. We want to have deep wins. We want to celebrate our wins and then we'll get to work on Monday".
Jamie Elliott came off in the 2nd quarter with an ankle injury?"Yep".
Is there room for Jack Ginnivan, Bobby Hill and Beau McCreery in the same side?"Yeah, he just had a weird feeling sensation. He said it went numb. It was kind of a knock on the high part of the knee. It might have been referring pain, but he's fine".
So one of Bobby or Beau wouldn't have to go out of the side for Jack to come into the team?"Yeah I think so. I'm looking forward to seeing him [Ginnivan] play tomorrow. He's worked hard and the kid's looking for his next step and that comes tomorrow night".
https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/video/ ... 0264822001"Potentially, but we'll have to wait and see. You've got to warrant the opportunity and we're looking forward to seeing how he [Jack] goes".
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