Clearances and inside 50s, Sydney were on top. Were you pleased to win given some of the stats?

I think that's a simplistic analysis to be truthful. We were dominant to half time. They annihilated us in the third (quarter), but that happens. In the last quarter, we had 14 entries to eight. So it's not like we tried to save the game and we didn't create opportunities. Your analysis is way too simple to be frank. I think to look at numbers and say you're relieved to get across the line - we certainly had challenges. But in the last quarter, 14 entries to eight is significant. And the clearances in the last quarter were equal, to be specific. Clearly we acknowledge the third quarter - they (Sydney) were fantastic. But we always knew that was coming. They've played in two of the last three grand finals. I would be ignorant to think they're not coming.



I thought our first half was very strong again. But it just shows how hard it is. When we were winning the ball, they couldn't score. They had a goalless second quarter, and one in the first. I think we put ourselves in a really good position. But to do that you've got to exert a lot of energy, and you make yourself a little bit vulnerable. Clearly, the third quarter they dominated. They're a great team. But I thought we responded. It was six shots to seven in the last. So 14 entries our way. They threw some challenges, and we had to adapt on the run. Again, I think your analysis is way too simple. I think mine's a lot more detailed and specific. I'd take (winning) three quarters and we get annihilated in one. But you hear Port - you walk out they're 47-6, and then you hear they win by eight points, and it's 10 goals to three. That's league footy. At the highest levels, it's a tough caper. That's my take on it.



To come out of the month unbeaten, you must be rapt?

No, I'm just pleased. There's continuing challenges. It was a big challenge tonight. It's where we want to be. But there's no milestone or breathing out here. I watched Melbourne on Friday night and they were really tenacious. They're going to be well rested, and they would have made some observations, and it's going to be really difficult. I'll breathe out tonight, but tomorrow we're into it.



What was you message to the players at three-quarter-time?

Sydney were just doing a couple of things that were challenging us. (Sam) Reid third up, and then you talk about it, but it still happens in the first ball up in the middle of the ground. He just throws (Tendai) Mzungu out the way and comes up. So you can point things out, but the players have got to get it done, and in the end they got it done.



We needed to win the ball around the clearances. You're right, our centre bounce clearance work had been really good for a long period, but they got on top. I think it was three to seven after half-time and they had four shots to our zero. We needed to work on that. It was just a little bit about what they were doing with their mids and half backs. We spoke about that. It still wasn't perfect in the last, but we gave them some context as to what was happening, and they needed to do it. I thought (Nat) Fyfe and (David) Mundy stood up in the last. (Luke) McPharlin was super all night. I thought (Matthew) Pavlich led really well. And there were some real cameos. A week's a long time in footy. Some of the other guys who had big games the week before struggled today. So it just shows how hard it is.



Couple of one percenters from your players late?

Well they're fundamentals. We come forward to defend, you've got to get a fist in to stop it. They're courageous decisions because the easiest thing is to go back into your shell. But we didn't do that, I thought. We were trying to find the spare player rather than just bombing away. We didn't always execute but I thought we kept a composed head. In the end we wrestled back probably control in a sense of general play and entries. We just slaughtered some opportunities, set shots and on the run. So we could've close it out a little bit earlier. They're a great team, really well coached. We know there's nothing but respect for them but we needed to do what we did tonight.



Score reviews on Sydney's goal line. How did you think they went?

To be honest, it's that far away. I don't even look at it. I've got no opinion on it. It's in isn't it? Is it in? Is it staying in this year? So it's irrelevant to me. I'm happy to in the cold light of day at the end of the year sit down and analyse it and have a really good discussion. But I don't think policy on the run, doesn’t work for the government and it doesn't work for me.



Kicked at 82 per cent across the board in the first half how pleased were you that you were able to take advantage of a really dominant set of clearances?

Look we're all different. I've never spoken about kicking efficiency ever. Maybe that's my weakness but we do know it's a good guide probably for John and Sydney that the pressure wasn't there and us, we were able to hit some targets. I'm sure our efficiency dropped after half-time time, did it? Yeah it would've dropped. But no, you're right, we want to hit targets. I thought we were up tempo, we were taking it on, moving it quickly. But in the end they really lifted their pressure and that's when you really get tested. We did struggle in the third quarter and we'll learn from that.



You touched on their pressure, you mentioned clean ball and dirty ball was the key to defending Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, you seemed to do that really well in the first half?

Yes, correct. They got some clean ball in, they took a lot of marks in forward 50 in the second half. Basically about eight, or nine, or 11, they took a lot. So yes, that's the difference. Tippett and Franklin looked more threatening in the second half didn't they because the ball got there quicker and it got there one out. The aim is to slow it down and get support. That's the simple aim.



Are you clear on injuries?

There's always little bits and pieces but nothing significant. We thought Matt (Taberner) has been really good for us but Tendai's run is good. Chris Mayne just went and played deeper, plays the tall, and Tabs wasn't having his best night so we thought that was the most obvious one even though there was others around that probably influenced him. We just got rid of the height and kept the run.



Is there such a thing as safe margin? Is there a figure you can put on it?

You're never safe. Not against quality. Not against quality. You're never safe. You're hoping to hear that siren while you're in front.



How do you drum into your players when they have such a big lead?

Well I think that’s the difficulty. Human nature is once you get comfortable everyone breathes out and relaxes a little bit. And on the other side you feel like you need to get going. But that's about being a ruthless AFL team and we've clearly got some work to do.



Did the players learn a lot from tonight?

I think we learnt that we were able to, when challenged, get the momentum back and against quality you can't relax for a minute. We're really pleased we take the four points. We've got a lot to learn and we need to keep improving.



Tendai came on and had some good contributions. Where do you see him fitting into the line-up?

I haven’t though about it too much, and he’s had to work his way back in. Tommy Sheridan had been super for us, if Tommy hadn’t have done his calf, in some respect he would have come straight back in. It’s hard to do that when you’ve got other people playing and winning. Circumstances dictate who plays and who doesn’t. Both teams would have had challenges coming into the game.



There has been talk about resting players?

We spoke about assessing Luke McPharlin at the half way mark the situation is it’s round four, in another seven weeks we’ll be at the halfway mark. Clearly then we will set down then and have a look. It’s on the agenda for Luke, but he’s said he’s never felt better and we are managing him better Monday to Friday. It’s a reasonable question in regards to Luke in particular. Zac Dawson and Alex Silvagni are in full training at the minute and we know they are really capable.