A. I had the opportunity to measure out and have a look at the ground – step it out. It is not the MCG size. Admittedly they can move the stadium in and out which is quite remarkable and there is a big game on a few days on before Essendon play the Sydney Swans in the first AFL game ever at Stadium Australia. It is definitely not MCG size but it might be Colonial Stadium size by the start of the game. We will keep an eye on that because we really don’t want to get ambushed at Homebush!
Q. What do you think about allowing interchange players who don’t get a lot of game time in the seniors to then play in the VFL team in the same round?
A. I think it is worthwhile because a lot of players at times when they are playing in an AFL game sometimes might only get a quarter at the most and it is pretty difficult for them to get selection next week. Particularly if your AFL team does play ahead of your VFL side. One of our players on the weekend – Bannister – played on the weekend played 30 minutes. He would have been a good asset for our club to have play a couple of days later. I think we should look at it and the players association should look at it – so the players have an opportunity to keep up their match fitness and their availability for selection at AFL level.
Q. It is a tough roadtrip to Perth this year…
A. The last two teams that have gone to Perth were two of last years top four in Richmond and Brisbane – and they have really come home with a couple of hidings. We are really getting our minds into that this is a really tough road trip. I take heed from what John Worsfold has written about it and Chris Connelly that they want to make it a terrible road trip for the Eastern staters going west. There are two new coaches in Western Australia and they want to put their mark on the game and they are really doing it.
