On the game ahead and playing at the MCG:

“We feel pretty confident; we’ve had a couple of weeks against some pretty good sides as well so that's always good.

“(Melbourne) were a pretty informed side having played some good footy at the 'G so we knew that it was going to be a tough task.

“I thought we played pretty well so it's good to have some form going into this Friday night.

“I love playing at the 'G so I’m not too fussed (about playing a home final there). You’ve got to win finals at the ‘G. We’ve been pretty good there this year so hopefully we can play some good footy there on Friday.

“I think we’ve finished the year strongly so that’s always good to be able to go into the finals with some sort of form."

On the Wildcard Finals: 

“I guess if we did finish in the top eight last year that would get us a week off, this year it doesn’t.

“If you take (a team) like Carlton, they’re probably one of the better teams in the competition now and have been able to finish tenth. They might make a case for being one of the better teams down the stretch.

“I do see both sides of it but obviously finishing eighth, we’re rapt to be finishing inside the eight. It obviously means you’ve got to play an extra game but we’re really looking forward to it.

“Should be a cracker at the 'G in front of a packed house so I'm looking forward to it.”

On having a six-day break:

“Six or seven (days break) is not really a crazy difference so we’re not going to be thinking about it too much.

“I guess Melbourne did finish higher than us so they probably have the right to play wherever they want to play in the Wildcard Finalswhich I understand…they get the seven-day break.

“It’s not really too much of a focus for us I don’t think.”

On Tim English:

“We’ll have a look at Tim at main training, I’m sure it’ll be up to the medical team and the coaches whether or not he’s ready to go.

“Hopefully we can get him back. That'd be nice.

“He’s pretty important obviously being our number one ruckman but I think Lobby’s done an exceptional job in his absence.

“Lobby’s obviously played heaps of ruck in the past at different clubs and here as well so he’s been great as a fill-in for him.”

On Aaron Naughton:

“Yeah Naughts is actually looking pretty good this morning so hopefully he’ll be able to get up as well - he needs to get rid of a bit of swelling and stuff from that ankle but hopefully he’ll be right.

“He’s the ultimate professional...hopefully he’s right and he kicks six.”

On Tom Liberatore:

“Tom just had a bit of a niggle at training last week and just needed a little clean out so yeah hopefully he can get himself right over the next few weeks as well.

“He was really important for us in that Carlton game and he was starting to hit some good form, so if we can get him back that's another bonus potentially in another final if we get through this week.”

On how the Dogs' midfield matches up to Collingwood’s:

“I feel like it stacks up pretty well.

“They've obviously got one of the best players in the comp in Nick (Daicos) so he’s going to be someone we have to contend with.

“They’ve also got to contend with our skipper and what he’s been doing this year as well, so it should be a good battle in there, should be a lot of fun.”

On the Dogs' last game against Collingwood:

“That was a close one, they obviously had a few players get off the chain. (Jordan) De Goey was pretty important in that game, he was pretty dominant, so was Nick (Daicos) again.

“We're going to have to nullify their influence where we can and hopefully we can have some pretty strong performances ourselves.”

On his own form:

“It has been a good couple of weeks, I've been working on a few things just around contests and stuff which has been working for me at the moment. 

“I’ll continue to do those things on Friday and hopefully I’ll get the same results.

“I’ve just been trying to get back to playing with a bit of freedom, play a bit on instinct - probably why you saw me kick one with my shoe off on the weekend.

“It was more to react to instincts rather than think about it too much.”

On whether this game feels like a final:

“There’d probably be mixed feelings if you asked around the joint.

“I personally think that we haven’t. I would like to win this one and then really have that cemented finals spot in an elimination. Just treating this one as another week, round 25 if you would.

“But it should be fun, it should be a packed house. It’s very exciting for footy fans all around the country, they actually don’t have to miss a week of (mens) footy now.

“I’m just excited for the prospect of winning and being able to cement a spot in the finals the following week.”