Power coach Ken Hinkley spoke to the media post game.
Could you have scripted a better response after last week from what you saw tonight?
It was a really strong performance tonight. Even last week I thought we played good footy against a high-quality team. But tonight was really pleasing defensively,really sound after quarter time,only give up 21 points to a team that really can attack. Strong performance.
What was that key message at quarter time and what did you see that allowed you to lock them down and choke up their footy?
We think Essendon are aggressive in the way they play and move the ball. We were mindful they were going to be sharp at the start and they probably should have been in front nearly to quarter time. We are a pretty good defensive team most of the time. We restrict marks and disposals and I think when you can get that going you can go back at them and put them under a bit of pressure.
Where does that first half rank for Connor’s career?
I’ve seen him play some good games already but not that good,not in the first half. It was outrageous what he was doing. A great young captain.
How has he taken that on? I think he’s said performance has been the number one goal.
We’re clear that leadership is about performances on game day and that is something that Connor and Zak and Drew and Houston and Pep is a part of that group. They’ve really taken it on board that that is their critical moment for performance on game day. Then they’re growing into leadership away from those days.
The centre clearances were dominant. Have you seen that performance from that centre square for a while?
I am not quite sure,to be honest. They were strong tonight. But as I said last week we went plus-15 at clearance two. Not all centre clearance two. Not all centre clearance. They’re just trying. He and Josh are doing a great job of growing the mids. Drew stepped up as well. The three get noticed a fair bit and I think Ollie is back in some form too.
What about Jason? He’s had a couple of weeks off and puts together a game like that.
Can we give him a couple of weeks off more often? No,we can’t afford to do that. He’s too important to us.