How have you gone with that? How's he gone with it, and how is the club with, with the fact that the, the man standing as captain and the man who helped alongside yourself and others at the club lead the club through that, that messy period, uh, going back three weeks to, to now not be there for what lies ahead?

Yeah, Damo, I think that, you know, footy is a, a cruel game at times, and the way Callum's led all the way ever since he's been at the football club and, you know, the nine years I've been here, I couldn't speak highly enough of the person he is and the player and, and the leader he is.

So yeah, it's devastating for him and the football club.

But, you know, I think the testament to him was he... as soon as he did get injured, um, halftime was about, "All right, what can I do to help the team? I want to speak to them.

Can I speak to them at three-quarter time?" Um, you know, and he'll be there tonight, so it's just gonna be really exciting to see.

He had surgery on Wednesday, and I went to see him in hospital Wednesday night and, um, yeah, he's just all about, "What can I do to help the team?" And it's an amazing mindset to have, knowing that you are missing this finals campaign and, um, and part of next year as well.

What is something you need to take away from Fremantle tonight that's gonna get the job done?

Oh, I think certainly around the ball, um, is gonna be really important to try and get some territory, especially at the SCG, and I think you saw what they were able to do at Centre Bounce.

How have you gone with that? How's he gone with it? And how is the club with the fact that the man standing as captain and the man who helped alongside yourself and others at the club lead the club through that messy period going back three weeks to now not be there for what lies ahead?

Yeah, Domo, I think that, you know, footy is a cruel game at times.

And the way Callum's led, although ever since he's been at the football club and, you know, the nine years I've been here, I couldn't speak highly enough of the person he is and the player and the leader he is.

So, yeah, it's devastating for him and the football club.

But, you know, I think the testament to him was as soon as he did get injured, half-time was about, all right, what can I do to help the team? I want to speak to them.

Can I speak to them at three-quarter time? Yeah.

He'll be there tonight, so it's just going to be really exciting to see him there.

What do they need to do tonight to stop Jackson, who's been incredible?

If you want $5,000 off electricity, visit the SEN win page for more.

Let's start with, uh, Friday night's prelim.

Lock it or Leave it, Dean Cox must select Justin McInerney, who hasn't played since round 13, for this Friday night's prelim against the Dockers.

Incredible.

Now, we spoke about this a little bit earlier on with Cal Twomey breaking some news on it as well.

But if the Saints don- didn't rescind their contract offer to Lek Ile last year, Alex Tarou wouldn't be looking for a new home this off-season.

Lock it or Leave it.

He just, his leadership is effortless, and I wanna get your opinion from a coach's perspective.

perspective.Uh, oh, I can't speak highly enough of Callum.

Um, I think the thing I love about Millsy is he's always put him, put the team and the footy club before himself, always has, um, ever since I've known him, and, and does it better than anyone.

And whether that's the roles we need him to play, whether that's anything to do with on or off the field, and, you know, I think, you know, that, that really showed why Callum is the person and the leader he is because during, you know, one of the hardest times that he's had on a football field where he probably knows his year's over and next year as well, with an ACL, he, yeah, he dusts himself off and gets onto the next, um, the next thing he has to do as a leader.

And, you know, it's really inspirational.

Um, I saw him after the game a little bit on the footy field.

I, I couldn't look at him actually, 'cause I, um, yeah, I'd spent a fair bit of time with him over the, um, the couple of years I've been coaching and just wanted to see him have a real chance at, um, playing the footy we knew he can play.

And I don't know what happened in that six months or what you observed from him, but he just has this self-belief when he plays that he can make a difference, and he was just one I wanted to highlight because I feel like he doesn't always get the rewards outside, but internally he's just so highly valued.

How is he doing and how will you be using him over the next couple of weeks?

Yeah, that was devastating to see that.

I think with what he's had over his career with some injuries through crucial times and And then the way that he stood up as the leader of our football club has been nothing short of sensational through this period.

Unfortunately, he did his knee and he'll have surgery in the short term.

And the thing is, as soon as he processed a lot of the information, it was about, okay, what's my job now? How can I help the club and the team? And and his teammates, and I think that's why everyone speaks so highly of him.

It'll be about a few days away from the club at the start of this week, and he's been in doing a little bit of the rehab stuff, and he'll get ready for surgery, but he'll support the players as much as he possibly can through this period.

How have you been coping as head coach when you're also trying to win a flag?

Yeah, I think the first part was just not talk about footy and focus on what we had to do as a football club to work through the situation that we're faced with.

How is he doing and how will you be using him over the next couple of weeks?

Yeah, that was devastating to say that.

I think with what he's had over his career with some injuries through crucial times and And then the way that he stood up as the leader of our football club has been nothing short of sensational through this period.

Unfortunately, he did his knee and he'll have surgery in the short term.

And the thing is, as soon as he processed a lot of the information, it was about, OK, what's my job now? How can I help the club and the team? his teammates and I think that's why everyone speaks so highly of him and you know it'll be about a few days away from the club at the start of this week and you know he's been in doing a little bit of the rehab stuff and he'll get ready for surgery but yeah he'll support the players as much as he possibly can through this period.

How have you been coping as head coach when you're also trying to win a flag?

Yeah, I think the first part was just not talk about footy and focus on what we had to do as a football club to work through the situation that we were faced with.

And from there it was about trying to get the group back together as quickly as possible and turn our attention to football.

How much of the week was around solidifying again the group just to build the confidence within and instil that we're still here and good enough as opposed to trying to tactically take down the Brisbane Lions?

Yeah, it was probably a bit of both.

I think one thing that you had to do is...

We had five players that come into the team after the Essendon game and from there it was about trying to build the belief that they belong in our football team.

We did that into the North game which gave us a little bit of confidence about the roles and system at which we've been working hard on for 10 months.

I think that's what I said to the players as soon as we started the Brisbane prep was obviously this team's in great form but We need to acknowledge we're second on the ladder.

We have a home final.

You're referring to me.

Let us in a little bit as to just the raw emotion of it all.

I was, um, yeah, just extremely proud of everyone.

I think one thing that we set out to do was to, to give it our best shot and, you know, I think probably the first quarter was like, oh, these guys are actually adhering and, you know, playing in a, in really exciting, disciplined, team-orientated brand, and can we keep it going, you know? And that was the, you know, with the, the conditions that were about, the team we were facing, you know, to see 'em, um, you know, play to the way we wanted them to for the duration of the four quarters was, was great.

And, you know, just to see the, you know, the elation.

But also having said that, it was once we got back into the rooms, it was about, okay, well, that was, that was one of the jobs we needed to do.

And as proud as, of that as we were, we, you know, turned our attention to, you know, the next final that's coming up and, and making sure we prepare like we did for the last two weeks.

How's Callum Mills?

Uh, he's devastated, um, as you can imagine.

L-let us in a little bit as to just the raw emotion of it all.

I was, um, yeah, just extremely proud of everyone.

I think one thing that we set out to do was to, to give it our best shot.

And, you know, I think probably the first quarter was like, "Oh, these guys are actually adhering and, you know, playing in a, in really exciting, disciplined, team-orientated brand, and can we keep it going?" You know, and that was the, you know, with the, the conditions that were about, the team we were facing, you know, to see them, um, you know, play to the way we wanted them to for the duration of the four quarters was, was great.

And, you know, just to see the, you know, the elation.

But also having said that, it was once we got back into the rooms, it was about like, "Oh, well, that was, that was one of the jobs we needed to do." And as proud as, of that as we were, we, you know, turned our attention to, you know, the next final that's coming up and, and making sure we prepare like we did for the last two weeks.

How's Callum Mills?

Uh, he's devastated, um, as you can imagine.

How much of the week was around solidifying, again, the group just to build the confidence within and instill that we're still here and good enough, as opposed to trying to tactically take down the Brisbane Lions?

Yeah, it was probably a bit of both, guys.

I, I think one thing that you had to do is, uh, we had five players that come into the team, um, after the Essendon game, and, and from there it was about trying to build the belief that they, they belong in our football team.

And yeah, we did that into the North game, which gave us a little bit of con- confidence about the roles and system at which we, we've been working hard on for 10 months.

And I think that's what I said to the players as soon as we started the Brisbane prep was obviously this team's in great form, but- We need to acknowledge we're second on the ladder.

We have a home final.

We've lost one game at home all year.

You're referring to me or-

How much of the week was around solidifying again, the group just to build the confidence within and instill that we're still here and good enough as opposed to trying to tactically take down the Brisbane Lions?

Yeah, it was probably a bit of both.

I think one thing that you had to do is we had five players that come into the team after the Essendon game and from there it was about trying to build the belief that they belong in our football team and we did that into the North game which gave us a little bit of confidence about the roles and system at which we've been working hard on for 10 months.

I think that's what I said to the players as soon as we started the Brisbane prep was obviously this team's in great form but We need to acknowledge we're second on the ladder.

We have a home final.

We've lost one game at home all year and we were right in that against Adelaide.

So, yeah, I just wanted to make sure that the players believe in what we're going about and they showed on the weekend that it stands up.

Have you got an update for us on how that knee and the response from the docs?

How do you see it?

Um, oh, he probably, you know, I certainly think Isaac will be in there.

Chad's form of late has been really strong for us.

Um, you know, he's been one of the form players of the competition, and I think Nick Blakey's had a, had a really strong season as well.

And then the decision around, um, Brodie Grundy.

You know, I think we've spoken at length throughout the year and, you know, his importance on the weekend and certainly last week as well to, to start the way he did against the Giants and give us some real ascendancy.

He's, he's shown over the year that he deserves to be in that conversation.

In an industry Do you think this is a bad look for the game that a club would do something like this?

How do you see it?

Um, oh, probably, you know, I certainly think Isaac will be in there.

Chad's form of late has been really strong for us.

Um, you know, he's been one of the form players of the competition, and I think Nick Blakey's had a, had a really strong season as well.

And then the decision around, um, Brodie Grundy.

You know, I think we've spoken at length throughout the year and, you know, his importance on the weekend and certainly last week as well to, to start the way he did against the Giants and give us some real ascendancy.

He's, he's shown over the year that he deserves to be in that conversation.

In an industry, do you think this is a bad look for the game that a club would do something like this?

And do you expect it to be unfolding today similarly to how they did get away from you in that, uh, occasion?

Yeah, I think one thing, you know, we certainly...

We gave up five D50 goals to, from direct turnover.

So, you know, that wasn't ideal.

Um, and then our center forward connection early in the game was really poor.

So we've looked at the game.

We've, um, obviously played them only nine weeks ago or something.

Uh, do you think and do you expect him to be a second time All-Australian at the end of the year?

So I'd imagine, Dean, you've, you've taken a, a fair bit out of that game, and do you expect it to be unfolding today similarly to how they did get away from you in that, uh, occasion?

Yeah, I think one thing, you know, we certainly...

We gave up five D50 goals to... from direct turnovers, so, you know, that wasn't ideal.

Um, and then our center forward connection early in the game was really poor.

So we've looked at the game.

We've, um, obviously played them only nine weeks ago or something, so yeah.

But they're number one uncontested possession team, um, number one handball received team, so they've changed a little bit of the way that they play as well since then.

Uh, do you think and do you expect him to be a second time All-Australian at the end of the year?

Do-- In these conditions, do you adjust much to your, how you wanna set the field and how you play, or do you try and stick to your normal game style?

Uh, you try to stick to a bit of it.

We'll-- We've already had a meeting this afternoon about some changes we might need to make, whether it's be through the way we set up behind and ahead of the ball and what we're doing around the stoppage, because it's really important to get field position and certainly in conditions like this.

So, you know, our decisions between taking ground is really important, be trying to use hands at times.

So that doesn't mean you wanna go completely away from it, but you have to play the conditions.

They're, they're the best pressure team.

We need to win this.

[laughing]

In these conditions, do you adjust much to how you want to set the field and how you play, or do you try and stick to your normal game

style? You try to stick to a bit of it.

We've already had a meeting this afternoon about some changes we might need to make, whether it be through the way we set up behind and ahead of the ball and what we're doing around the stoppage, because it's really important to get field position, certainly in conditions like this.

So our decisions between taking ground is really important, trying to use hands at times.

So that doesn't mean you want to go completely away from it, but you have to play the conditions.

They're the best pressure team.

We understand that.

But him coming back into the side, what are you expecting from him? Obviously playing a different role this year now that Charlie's there and Charlie's taking the best defender every week.

But then looked like you got found out around the football and, and just the lack of pressure at times, they were able to score really heavily, Fremantle.

Yeah, they were, and I suppose around the... got it going around the clearance in the third quarter.

Um, that's some ascendancy we need to get tonight against Adelaide and, um, yeah, the last quarter we got scored against really... gave up some really easy goals.

Um, tackled at forty-five percent efficiency, uh, s- and most entries that they went in, they scored.

So that's, that's probably the way the review went.

We sort of looked at the first half at, um, when we got back in on Sunday and a chance to what we did well, because, you know, against the best team away from home that were at full strength, um, we performed well for that period.

But yeah, we also had to look at the areas that we didn't go so well, and that was probably the last quarter.

In these conditions, do you adjust much to your... how you wanna set the field and how you play, or do you try and stick to your normal game style?

Hey, Coxie, when you – When you lose, and that's not going to happen tomorrow night, I get all that, and that's not what we're talking about, but when you lose, how quickly do you allow your players to emotionally move on? We were talking about it earlier when we see teams who get beaten, whether there's a wry smile or a bit of a smile, I don't even know if it's an embarrassing grin, whatever it may be, and then coach players in the rooms with family and friends and kids and signing autographs and having photos taken, how quick do you look at it and go, oh, you shouldn't be like this, or do you just let them move on straight away?

I think it's different for every individual.

You know, I think that's the best part about footy clubs is some players sit on it for two, three days, even if they've played poorly.

Some players can move on really quickly.

So, yeah, I don't look into it too much.

You know, obviously you want to make sure that you learn off every game that you do play and be as balanced as you possibly can between when you win and lose.

So, yeah, no, it's just different because, you know, some players will – sort of go straight to family and laugh and do that.

But do you work one-on-one with Brodie Grundy at all? Because I'd feel it would be an enormous waste of a resource if you didn't.

When you lose, and that's not going to happen tomorrow night, I get all that, and that's not what we're talking about, but when you lose, how quickly do you allow your players to emotionally move on? We were talking about it earlier when we see teams who get beaten, whether there's a wry smile or a bit of a smile, I don't even know if it's an embarrassing grin, whatever it may be, and then coach players in the rooms with family and friends and kids and signing autographs and having photos taken, how quick do you look at it and go, oh, you shouldn't be like this, or do you just let them move on straight away?

I think it's different for every individual.

You know, I think that's the best part about footy clubs is some players sit on it for two, three days, even if they've played poorly.

Some players can move on really quickly.

So, yeah, I don't look into it too much.

You know, obviously you want to make sure that you learn off every game that you do play and be as balanced as you possibly can between when you win and lose.

So, yeah, no, it's just different because, you know, some players will, sort of go straight to family and laugh and do that and then other players would just sit in the room and dwell over the performance.

But do you work one-on-one with Brodie Grundy at all? Because I'd feel it would be an enormous waste of a resource if you didn't.

How was the coach?

Yeah, I spoke to him over the weekend.

Obviously, he suffered with another hamstring injury a week and a bit ago, and his body hasn't been able to withstand probably the last period of certainly this season.

So, yeah, it was a tough weekend.

And then when he speaks to the players about what footy means to him, what his teammates mean to him, it's always tough to watch.

And I think there's multiple ways you can have an impact on a football club.

One's obviously by playing a lot of footy and the other is by helping younger players and mentoring and being an unbelievable trainer.

Are they going to be playing against the Lions?

It's a great time of the year to actually probably have a look at everything and decide, "Okay, we've got a little bit of time maybe to put the boys through something a little bit different, teach them something a little bit different." Have you done that in any way?

Yeah, Tim, I think that's the best part about the bye is, first of all, to give the players some time off and, [coughs] sorry, and s- and some football department staff, because after the Port Adelaide game, we had four days off.

We got them back last Thursday, um, and got a chance to really review our first 14 games and areas that we need to work on, what we're doing well, um, training focuses over the bye and then, you know, what we lead into the back half of the year.

So yeah, it's a really good opportunity.

The coaches are busy during that time trying to make sure that we can, you know, get everything in place and, and what we need to do.

But the weekend was a chance to reflect and, um, yeah, had a big session yesterday.

I'm looking forward to Brisbane Thursday night.

How's he been for the Sydney Swans?

Have you done that in any way?

Yeah, Tim, I think that's the best part about the bye is, first of all, to give the players some time off and, [coughs] sorry, and s- and some football department staff, because after the Port Adelaide game, we had four days off.

We got them back last Thursday, um, and got a chance to really review our first 14 games and areas that we need to work on, what we're doing well, um, training focuses over the bye and then, you know, what we lead into the back half of the year.

So yeah, it's a really good opportunity.

The coaches are busy during that time trying to make sure that we can, you know, get everything in place and, and what we need to do.

But the weekend was a chance to reflect and, um, yeah, had a big session yesterday.

I'm looking forward to Brisbane Thursday night.

How's he been for the Sydney Swans?

Has he been a big part of that?

Yeah, he has, Bernie.

I think the great part about getting Simon here is obviously his experience and, and the coach that he was at Melbourne.

But we sat down at the end of the season and, you know, without obviously Goodwin and Laidler and, um, Mielczarski, and sort of sat down with our game plan and said, "We want to improve in this area." We spent a month trying to move the ball a little bit quicker in the back half of the year when we couldn't play finals last year.

And they did a bit of a, um, a look at our game plan, and they come up with what we wanted to do as well.

So we spent a lot of time going through how we want to attack and then defend behind the ball as well.

So yeah, he's been really instrumentally, um, obviously the person he is and the ability to be able to lean on someone in my second year that's been there before and done it.

How do you cover all of that?

You, you, you're not, uh-

Well, yeah, I think that all that comes into account as well, Kingy, is that you wanna make sure that your best players are, are there when they're needed.

And, you know, I think at that stage, we've done it with Isaac a couple of times where he might have got to the game, but, you know, the forced rest is probably a position that, you know, we'll look at throughout the back part of the year.

It doesn't mean we're just gonna rest players willy-nilly, um, for the sake of it.

We wanna make sure that we get our game right for as long as we possibly can.

And if they are a bit injured, like Callum Mills was, you know, he's...

He'll be ho- hopefully train all week this week and be back this weekend.

Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing against a, a team like Richmond who are, who are battling a bit at the moment? How, how did you assess his performance?