On Aaron Naughton and Tim English’s availability... 

“They trained yesterday and look like they’re going to come up. 

“It’s important because we’re down on the big men – so if one of them couldn’t play, then we’d need to be a little bit inventive like we were last week. 

“I thought Ryan Gardner did a really good job in the role he played, every though it was for reduced minutes. That was fantastic for the team. It’s just based on who’s available and what we are coming up against. 

“I mean Collingwood aren’t a super tall team anyway, so it’s not a huge issue, but definitely that ruck challenge remains every week. 

“(Tim) has had a little bit of time off, so you’d have to say it’ll be a fraction compromised. We’ll work through his game time with him, but hopefully he can play at least 70% of the game if he makes it to the line, which it looks like he will.” 

On facing Collingwood... 

“It's important (to dominate the clearance battle) every week, especially when you consider how mobile and damaging Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos and these lads can be. 

“Every week we study what the opposition's preferences are and when you go into a big game like this, the importance of that situation, because it's such a great score source, doesn't diminish in any way.” 

On nullifying Nick Daicos’ influence... 

“When you think about Nick, he’s got so many great strengths. He’s just built for the game – tenacity, courage, strength, speed, endurance, highly skilled. He’s got everything.  

“Probably the one thing he doesn’t do, is that he doesn’t necessarily put himself in that many marking situations, so there’s a team-based approach to all of that and trying to minimise the effect it’ll have on the outcome. 

“It’s going to take more than just one player to curb his ways, and at different times you’re always considering whether you need to do something a little bit more dramatic with a player or two, but we’ll work through that.” 

On Collingwood training at Marvel Stadium... 

“If you didn’t laugh you’d cry. I just think it’s hilarious. 

“It’s a crack-up really. I mean, none of the tenant clubs can get on it.  

“I think we were offered a Captain’s Run in runners at some point, but we’re not driving down to do that.  

“When we heard about it, I almost fell off my chair.  

“Every year we’re looking for opportunities to train there. You understand there’s a lot of traffic on that ground, but in principle if the tenant clubs can’t train on it...I just think it’s hilarious. 

“We didn’t ask to train on it this week, so I can’t say we were knocked back.” 

On the Wildcard Finals... 

“I think by definition, it’s a final. If you’re not going to play finals, the last home-and-away game is your final game. 

“So now, for the four clubs who play these two games, if you don’t win, it’s final. So I think it’s a final. 

“I think what Ed really meant, is that the old system was a top eight. So if you win this week, then you’re in the old system and we start a different kind of finals series. That’s his prerogative. I get what he’s talking about.” 

On what’s changed since the Round 22 North Melbourne game... 

“You’ve got to give North Melbourne credit...they finished off the year pretty well. 

“If I’m going to talk about what’s working better now...over the journey systematically, we defend well together. 

“Now, individuals in defensive action, when it’s their turn in the air and ground we’re better.  

“We’re still not a great front-half tackling side, but what we’ve seen definitely last week, we use the ball better.” 

On James O’Donnell and the backs... 

“Coaches aren’t allowed to play favourites, but I just admire how quickly he’s come on – for a young fellow who obviously turned his mind to playing this game in a serious sense from cricket.  

“He’s critical to the way we play. You’ve seen with his timing and his approach to the aerial situation, he’s just been incredible really.  

“He’s growing in confidence. 

“He’s been outstanding, and Buku’s been tremendous too.  

“I think that backline, the composition now is probably in a place where it’s favourable, so it’s good going into this game.”