On Taylor Duryea’s retirement…

“It’s been a bit emotional. He’s a player that we've all become really close to on a personal level, not just through his teammates and that coach-player connection. Back when Doc and I first came into contact, he had a bit of a delayed start to making his AFL debut. It was tenuous as to what his career was going to look like and even if he was going to have one, so he's a good story of persistence.

“What an amazing achievement to play 100 games at two clubs for a guy whose name has not been up in lights his whole career. To be a two-time premiership player at the Hawks and play in one grand final with us, we're just really fortunate that he's made a significant contribution to us. 

“For all our past players, we're trying to do our best to make sure they feel valued, and this is a place they can come back to. We hope Taylor always feels comfortable in doing that.”

On Adam Treloar…

“It's a really big positive for us that he got through the game last week at state league level. As I said to him in the lead up to that game, he wants to play AFL footy straight away, and we understand that when he's fully fit, he's in our first handful picked. 

“He's such an outstanding player…a bit gun-shy with him coming out of the game at AFL level early in the piece in the last one he played and it's been such a long time between that game and where we've got to now.

“He's got enormous belief in himself. I think because he's been through injuries in his time, he knows his body pretty well. Adam could play at AFL level this week and he'd accumulate, he might even get 30 possessions, but there is more to the game than that. 

“We've got a group of players who are match-hardened and they’ve been playing together for a while. Now, it's making sure that Adam feels totally ready. (3:47) His teammates have got absolute confidence in his physical health that he's right to contribute to a victory.

“He's disappointed (in not being selected). He wants to be playing in the AFL team, that goes without saying. He’s carried himself superbly, contributed and played like a leader for Footscray last weekend. We’ve got no doubts about his professionalism and his leadership. It's probably a good thing that there's an edginess to selection as well. The boys know that they need to play well to maintain and continue to earn their spot. Adam pressures that a little bit more now.”

On the pressure of this week’s game…

“There's always pressure, regardless of the sheep stations we play for.

“One thing I know is that there'll be one team, one club, one supporter base that's going to be bitterly disappointed on Sunday afternoon. We plan for it not to be us.

“The equation is simple. Both clubs are in the same situation - you win or you're out. We just have to win.

“Both teams are going to have to fight through the pressures of the game. We believe we can win in different ways…we need to make adjustments and evolve with what Fremantle are throwing at us. We've picked a really healthy, strong team who are ready to go.

“The pressure's definitely on both clubs. We aim to be the one that isn't disappointed on Sunday.”

On Jordan Croft…

“You can't omit Jordan after a really exciting debut like that.

“He's not your quintessential key forward. I said to him the other day, it's hard to ask a young fella in his second year to play a mature game when we're really playing for keeps. We’re going to need (him) to play with a certain amount of maturity in a couple of areas of (his) game. Not that he doesn't, but he's a great competitor so you'll see him in the 22.”