Just tell us a little bit about him and the impact that he's had in South Australian footy.

He's had an immense impact.

He grew up a doggy supporter.

His dad played at the club.

He's had family history all throughout his tenure, both as a player and now as a coach of a high level.

He's a McGarry medalist.

He's a six-time state representative, six-time, I think, captain of premiership sides.

Is that something that you can help with at the West Coast Eagles or does that have to be a player-driven thing, the relationships off the field?

Uh, how, how have you seen the development, uh, inside 50 from this young-ish group?

Yeah, it's an evolving one.

We, we've probably had close to 20-odd players who have gone through that forward line.

So, um, as you touched on, the mainstays in, in Jake and, and Job have, have certainly, um, been influential and able to hit the scoreboard and, you know, challenge sides a lot.

So for us, it's about the, creating that synergy and cohesion with the forward six, together with, obviously, the, the guys who are kicking it inside our, inside our forward half.

So being super pleased with, uh, the guys progressing and, um, you know, our challenge is to, to get that mix right and, and ensure that we've got a, a group that can, um, you know, play this back half of the year together consistently.

And, and obviously, um, yeah, put that scoreboard pressure on.

Early into his head coaching career, have you seen him develop this year and mature as the team's got a little bit better? And when I say mature, from a, from a coaching standpoint to understand the things that go up and down in a home and away year.

Uh, how, how have you seen the development, uh, inside 50 from this young-ish group?

Yeah, it's an evolving one.

We, we've probably had close to 20-odd players who have gone through that forward line.

So, um, as you touched on, the mainstays in, in Jake and, and Jobe have, have certainly, um, been influential and able to hit the scoreboard and, you know, challenge sides a lot.

So for us, it's about the, creating that synergy and cohesion with the forward six, together with obviously the, the guys who are kicking it inside our, inside our forward half.

So been super pleased with, uh, the guys progressing and, um, you know, our challenge is to, to get that mix right and, and ensure that we've got a, a group that can, um, you know, play this back half of the year together consistently and, and obviously, um, yeah, put that scoreboard pressure on.

Because it, it... there's no doubt, uh, that we've had our opportunities and, um, you know, we, we've let some games slip because of, um, probably our inaccuracy and probably also our, um, lack of, uh, cohesion going inside 50, especially last week.

Is, is that a conversation you have with him?

Mm.

So we've spent 18 months here, and we're, we're trying to instill a, um, you know, a simple game style whilst, um, trying to learn on our feet as well.

Obviously, the footy IQ for a lot of these young guys at the top level isn't probably quite there yet.

So, um, you know, one thing is just understanding your role, understanding, um, you know, how the, the, our game style works, um, you know, training at a, at a, a decent, uh, level that allows us to, um, continue to get up week in, week out.

And obviously, um, you know, you'd, you'd like to really push hard at training sessions and, um, try and instill the, the habits and the, um, the game style at training as well as, as game.

But, um, with a young group, recovery is super important.

Our, uh, probably education is, uh, is up there with, with most sides, but, um, you know, we really have to make it simple for them and, um, in the end, uh, effort and intent is, is the one that, you know, you can't go without.

Is it more around their sort of connection and, and their patterns, or is it finishing in front of goal, or is it just around the consistency of four quarters?

Mm.

So we've spent eighteen months here and we're, we're trying to instill a, um, you know, a simple game style whilst, um, trying to learn on our feet as well.

Obviously, the footy IQ for a lot of these young guys at the top level isn't probably quite there yet.

So, um, you know, one thing is just understanding your role, understanding, um, you know, how the, the, our game style works, um, you know, training at a, at a, a decent, uh, level that allows us to, um, continue to get up week in, week out.

Obviously, um, you know, you'd like to really push hard at training sessions and, um, try and instill the, the habits and the, um, the game style at training as well as, as game.

But, um, with a young group, recovery is super important.

Our, uh, probably education is, uh, is up there with, with most sides, but, um, you know, we really have to make it simple for them and, um, in the end, uh, effort and intent is, is the one that, you know, you can't go without.

Is it more around their sort of connection and, and their patterns, or is it finishing in front of goal, or is it just around the consistency of four quarters?

What's he been like on and off field in your eyes? Yeah.

He's been terrific.

Obviously last season there were things behind the scenes that didn't allow him to play his best football and we know with high end athletes if they're just a little bit off from an outside perspective on field it can certainly inhibit you or not allow you to be at your best so this season has seen a change in that it's seen him back to his old ways you can see him enjoying his football certainly a lot more and with that becomes some responsibility as well and in leading those guys around him as a as a young midfield group so you know we've seen him certainly lead from the front we've seen him played some great football and we've seen our midfield group grow as he

So what are you expecting from the power?

Oh, yeah, there's a lot of respect there, no matter the personnel that they've got out there.

Just the style of football they play.

It's hard, it's fast.

You know, they've obviously got firepower up forward.