On what is planned for the first week: 

“We had a couple of skills blocks today, but it’s (structured) more around the areas that we want to improve on and the areas that we think will allow us to compete with the best.

“There’s a bit of a theme wrapped around this year, so we’re (setting) some expectations and basing pre-season on the key metrics we want to improve in.”

On the focus for 2026:

“I’ve been part of the club for two years now…2024 was a really big discovery year, learning about each other and the requirements of (what we need) to compete with the best. 

“Last year, we used it as a consolidation (year) and by season’s end, we had a really strong identity on how we want to play. 

“This year, it’s the metrics that we want to climb in that we think will see us return to finals.”

On the 2km time trial: 

“The girls were really good. We did a mock one, probably six weeks ago, and I think most of the group improved on their time which is really exciting.

“It’s always nice to watch (Sarah) Poustie try and chase Jas (Smith), and Naughty (Elle Bennetts) was right up there again too. 

“(Bennetts) is unbelievable. She’s our own Benjamin Button – she just keeps getting better every year. 

On welcoming Amaia Wain via the pre-season draft: 

“It’s a quick turnaround for her but she’s a really exciting prospect. 

“An athletic tall, very raw, she’s been part of the Sydney Swans Academy. 

“She officially moved down on Friday once her Uni exams were done, so it’s really exciting. 

“She’s someone who can jump and offer assistance with the new ruck rules potentially, but also play in a key position role.”

On the team’s biggest improvement opportunity for 2026:

“We’d like to hit the scoreboard more and also (improve) our ball movement a little bit more. 

“I think that our game is in really good shape from last year around contest and defence, so there’s a few things that we want to tidy up in those two phases. 

“The biggest thing for us is going to be that efficiency in the forward-half. That’s what we’re going to get after this pre-season.”