What did you make of our win over Melbourne Demons?

It was a huge win against Melbourne. To go down to Melbourne and play last year’s premiers and to beat them at their own game was really impressive.

It was a really contested game and for our players to adapt to that, play the situation and play what’s in-front of them was really pleasing. Probably after our slow start, to rally and test a quality opposition was a great result heading into the bye.

I think last year built confidence in the playing group and a performance like that we certainly boost us. It proves we can match it with the best and this season when we have performed against the top teams, other than the Brisbane Lions for one quarter, we have done quite well.

The players love getting up for those games as it’s a really big challenge but they get really excited by it as-well and our performances have shown that.

From your perspective, how would you describe our first half of the 2022 season?

I think we have had some great wins, we have dropped some games that we would have liked to be more consistent in and I think the playing group has really learned from that. We have played some debutants, young kids are playing some really crucial roles for us and our leaders are leading from the front.

It’s a really even competition now where lots of sides are battling for the Top 8 and we’re one of those, and we need to keep improving as the season progresses. We have some big games coming up which are really important.

Wha players have really stood out throughout the first 12 rounds of the year?

I think Callum Mills has lead form the front in his first season as captain. To be able to do what he has through the midfield and really value his leadership role.

James Rowbottom is really starting to put pressure and knock over some of the key midfielders in opposition teams and plays with that real power.

Tom McCartin is only a young key defender so to see him produce strong performances along with his brother Paddy, I think has been really special for them and the footy club. Tom has been really rock solid, while Dane Rampe is also playing back to playing some really good footy.

Will Hayward has also been important for the connection between the mid and the forward group in relation to the role he does play. His role is really rewarded at our footy club with the work-rate he possesses and the link he gives between our defenders and forwards.

There’s always players that are performing well and consistently.

Now that we have returned from the bye, what is our primary focus moving forward into the season half of the season?

I think it was really important they had 4-5 days to refresh through the bye after we have had a lot of six-day breaks so to be able to give them that is great. Now as a coaching group, we have a mid-season review and look through areas where we want to try and improve for the season half of the season.

We will present that to the players, and give them a plan that we can execute on the training track and hopefully get our next part of the year off to a good start against Port Adelaide.

How special is it to have such a strong supporter base in both NSW and Victoria?

I think part of the reason that when we do start slow and are able to come back is because of the support we have at our gamers. At the SCG it’s really special to play in-front of the red and white but then the crowds in Melbourne are phenomenal.

They are as big as I have seen, they’re passionate and hopefully we can bring a brand of footy that they’re proud of.