The game – Essendon 19.11 (125) d Richmond 12.13 (85) at the MCG, Rd 9, 2009 Toyota AFL Premiership Season
The stats – seven kicks, 19 handballs, five tackles, eight clearances and five centre clearances
How did you spend the day before the match?
While some blokes like to stay pretty active, I like to stay pretty quiet. I get up and have breakfast, than go to the local park and have a stroll down there. Then I get home and watch TV. Today it was a bit of Video Hits. It’s about four hours before a game when I actually start to get into a bit of a routine.
What was your pre-match routine today?
I don’t have any superstitions or anything, but there is a structure there. On arrival, I have a stretch and just cruise around and have a bit of physio. About 10 minutes before our warm-up I put on my boots and start to do a couple of jogs and run-throughs. After that, I start to get a feel with some ball work.
After the week of off-field issues at the club, was it a feeling of relief to run out onto the MCG and get back to playing football?
Definitely. That’s what I grew up doing, that’s what I enjoy to do. It was good to have a kick and get out there and play some footy.
What were your feelings running out onto the field in front of 73,625 fans?
It’s a buzz. It’s always great, especially for a Dreamtime at the ‘G game, where the big crowd really gets in. It doesn’t get much better than Saturday night football – it’s a pretty exciting scene.
What type of opponent was your tagger for tonight, Heath Hocking?
Heath is having a really good season. I had a look at some vision of Heath from the week before, and he is really strong through the core. He is very solid at what he does [around the ball].
Were you given any directions by the coaching staff in terms of your approach to Heath throughout the match?
Within our midfield group, we work closely together. I had a chat with assistant coach Wayne Campbell to look at what Essendon were doing with their set-up and what Heath was doing at the contests.
When you came off for a spell, you roamed the boundary line with development coach Craig McRae. What did he have to say to you during the game?
We do that all the time. Craig walks the bench with you when you come off to see how you are going and sometimes gives you some directions. I can’t recall the conversations, but at various times he can give you positive reinforcement, or details as to where you could have done something a bit different, where the game is going or where the next opportunity is to have an impact. Other times, he simply offers a calming influence.
Many times throughout the game you took your opponent on and ran with the football. Could you hear the crowd rise with you as you sped away from your opponent?
You sort of can. You do notice it, but you mainly notice the crowd when you are running back to the middle after a goal, particularly when the game is tight.
Is it simply instinct for you to take them on like that?
That’s a hard one. It’s simply either you give or run. It’s all about choosing the best option.
How do you rate your performance from a personal perspective?
I find it very hard to individually rate your game. I’m not too sure. I’ll wait and see. You’ll have to have a chat with one of our coaches.
You had 26 disposals tonight including eight clearances. You didn’t realise how well you were going out there in the thick of it?
You know when you’re in the game and you are going well, particularly as a team. The greatest feeling out there is when as a team we have kicked a few goals in a row.
Did you feel the momentum swing out there?
There were a number of times the momentum swung. Like all good teams in that situation, you have to adapt. You must know when to play fast and when to play slow.
What are your plans for after the match and recovery on Sunday?
It’s a pretty late night, so I’m icing now. I’ve already had a massage, and will jump into the ice baths shortly. I’ll continue to ice once I get home and when I wake up tomorrow morning, I’ll go in to the injury clinic for further recovery.
