On Cody Weightman’s return... 

“It's kind of like the start of a season really for him. 

“When you pick a team of 23 right at the start, even if it's your first practice match, no one's played, everyone's going to be blowing and pretty fatigued by the end of it. 

“He's in that space right now, but as I've said, he's too good a player not to introduce straight away. 

“Sometimes you’ve just got to think about the game as a pretty simple operation: instincts, courage, determination and ferocity of the ball usually wins the day and he's got spades of all of that. 

"We're looking forward to seeing him out there on the ’G tomorrow night.” 

On the morale boost it brings to the playing group... 

“I know that's hard to measure sometimes. 

“They definitely will get a spiritual lift, there's no doubt, because some teammates just get inside your bones a little bit more than others where how much they care for you. 

“They know that they want you to play as well as you can even before their own performance and Cody's that kind of human being. 

“He's just a really special young man and because of that care factor and the investment in others, they know what it means to have him as part of our team and it will give them a lift. 

“He's very, very caring ... you can't have enough of that.” 

On facing the Hawks... 

“Their connection, spiritually, I think is as strong as any team.  

“As has been mentioned, they've got our measure at the moment. 

“They have for the last few years and they're aware of it, so when they've had some inspired performances there's definitely a behavioural thing; you see the joy in their game when they're up and running. 

“We've got to do our best to make sure we mitigate those circumstances unfolding too much. 

“I think Sam's (Mitchell) on record as saying if their contest isn't right, nothing really flows. And I think everyone understands that. That's your vulnerability across a competition for every team.  

“If your contest doesn't measure up, you're going to be in a bit of trouble.” 

On Tom Liberatore’s return timeframe... 

“We think he's only a couple of weeks away, he seems to be moving a lot better. 

“He got through a chunk of training yesterday with the main group, so the concussion stuff will be no worries. 

“It'll just be the procedure he had on his knee that's keeping him out at the moment.”