Scott Gowans and Lucy McEvoy sat down for a press conference on Wednesday, September 20, to discuss the upcoming game against West Coast Eagles, team development and Laura Gardiner’s stellar performance on Sunday.

On Round 3 

Scott Gowans: “The main takeaway for us was that we just didn’t play the way we wanted to play, that is the disappointing aspect. Having said that, Brisbane was also really good. We got a lot out of the game learning what good sides do, and how to cope under that sort of heat."

On the squad’s progression from last year 

SG: “At this stage last year, we had only kicked four to five goals, and this season we have been able to score which is great. We have been getting more inside fifties, time in the forward half. All those stats that matter, which is really pleasing. Ally Morphett is killing it in the ruck and that’s giving us opportunities to get the ball forward so there’s a lot going right, compared to last year, and we know we are on a bit of a journey. We are patient, we’re curious, we want to see where we can take it. It starts this week with West Coast."  

On where to improve 

Lucy McEvoy: “I think it comes down to our skill execution under pressure. We can do as much touch as we like, but if we're not putting ourselves under pressure out at training then we can't translate that into the game. That’s our focus and making sure our communications on point heading into West Coast.” 

On Montana Ham  

SG: “She’ll have a week off this week. She’s a very important player to us. We will see her back over the next couple of weeks. It’s one of those injuries that, particularly with young players, you don’t want to tip them over the edge and get a full fracture. It is important that we manage her through it. She was walking around fine, and she did training and skills this morning. I keep saying it, but if it was a final, we would probably put her straight in and just play her, but we want to just be really cautious with it. We will build her back up and try again for match committee next week and see how we go for the game then.” 

On Laura Gardiner 

LM: “She is an extremely hard worker for us. She is probably not one to speak up in front of the group, but she leads by example and drives standards in that sense. As we saw on the weekend, it was probably the most complete performance she’s had so far, and I have no doubt that she’ll just continue to build across the season”.  

On West Coast Eagles 

LM: “It will be a real arm-wrestle, to begin with. If we can focus on what we need to do and execute what we have to, then I think it will put us in good stead. But obviously giving respect where respect is due, they’ll have their own strengths that we will need to nullify as well, but for us it will just be focusing on what we can do.”  

SG: “They are pretty similar to us; a lot of the numbers are pretty similar. They are just a developing club, although they have been in for a few seasons they are still trying to get their game together. They are dangerous on the inside, they tend to like the inside game, if you give them space on the outside, they will use that as well. They defend the ground quite well; they haven’t had the momentum gains that they probably want. You can tell when they do get momentum, they have patches, we just have to try to avoid them having some patches this week. It will be a good battle, a midfield battle and which side can gain territory, an interesting game to watch.”