Barry Brooks: A bit to do with big game nerves, but Geelong did shut us down for three quarters ... but we've got the belief now we can win tight games.
CaptLenny: G'day Bazz, how's that knee going? News reports have you going great guns.
Barry Brooks: The knee's fine ... I play my first game back on Friday night.
Tassie_Saints_Chick: Hey Barry, you've been down to Tassie – did you enjoy it down here?
Barry Brooks: I lived in Tassie for Year 11 and 12, so I enjoyed it a lot ... it's like a second home.
saintbrat: Did you survive the trip back from Ballarat last month?
Barry Brooks: Yeah, we had the air-conditioning on flat out all the way!
Leigh_and_Milne_INNOCENT: When do you see yourself slotting back in to the side and whereabouts on the field?
Barry Brooks: Hopefully if all goes well, I’ll get through the practice match and work towards being fit to play in the ruck in Round 3.
saintbrat: Barry, are you studying like several of the other players?
Barry Brooks: I’m doing a motor mechanic apprenticeship.
newtz: Barry, which ruckman do you think you compare to ... Primus - strength, Gardiner - leap, Goodes - athlete?
Barry Brooks: At the moment, probably Gardiner and Goodes, but in the next couple of years, hopefully all 3! I have to put a bit of weight on though.
CaptLenny: Do you miss the peak hour traffic on King Island?
Barry Brooks: Dunno if there is any peak hour traffic on King Island - there are hardly any cars at all!
riccardo: Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions you go through?
Barry Brooks: The left boot on first, and Coco Pops on match days!
Leigh_and_Milne_INNOCENT: I was just wondering what's happened to Lenny? I know it's only pre-season, but I was expecting him to come out firing ... but he has been a bit quiet - very quiet actually, considering we know how well he normally does play.
Barry Brooks: In the Wizard Cup games, Lenny has had the most tackles and most selfless acts in the team, so he's doing more of that defensive work. The coaching staff are happy with that, and he's adding a new area to his game.
i_love_joey: Are many of you getting away for a bit of ‘R & R’ before the season starts?
Barry Brooks: Most people are heading away, but because I’m playing the practice match, I won't be. Most are going away or just planning a relaxing weekend.
Tassie_Saints_Chick: Hi, how is Max Hudghton coming along?
Barry Brooks: He is making steady progress - still not lifting weights, but he's working hard with the Physios and going fine.
saintbrat: What sort of car do you drive?
Barry Brooks: A little Suzuki 4-wheel drive.
riccardo: When do you see yourself being fit enough to return to AFL action, Barry?
Barry Brooks: Probably Round 3 or 4 if everything goes well.
Sawf: Do you think that Mark Beck (who you played with at GYC) looks like Fraser Gehrig?
Barry Brooks: He'd have to put a bit of weight on and start to go bald!
riccardo: What would be your short and long term career goals, Barry?
Barry Brooks: Short term - just to get fit and play AFL again. Long term - to be the Saints’ No. 1 ruckman!
riccardo: Which of the coaches has helped/influence your game the most at St Kilda, Barry?
Barry Brooks: They have all had a big input, but probably Matt Rendell with the ruck work.
noddy04: Barry, who do you play against in the practice match?
Barry Brooks: It's an intra-club game with Springvale.
Tassie_Saints_Chick: How many BMW's does Hamill have?
Barry Brooks: Not sure - he seems to rock up to training in a different one every week!
Leigh_and_Milne_INNOCENT: What group are you in at Moorabbin? The Burkers or The Barkers?
Barry Brooks: The Burkers.
saintbrat: How are you enjoying having Stewie at the Club, and what sort of input do you ask of him?
Barry Brooks: He's been down a few times, and I’m working on contested marking and body on body ruck work with him ... he's got a lot of positive input to give down at the Club.
riccardo: Who was your favourite player growing up, and who did you barrack for, Barry?
Barry Brooks: I barracked for St Kilda before Port Adelaide came into it, and Stewie Loewe was my favourite player.
saintbrat: How did Fraser react to being thrown into the ruck on Saturday, and will you be offering him any advice?
Barry Brooks: I don't think he liked being in the ruck too much, but he just needed a run around ... I don't think he'd like to take too much advice from me though!
lovin_lenny: Hey, I noticed Kosi didn’t get much of a game on the weekend - any reason behind that?
Barry Brooks: He's coming back from a hamstring and might be a bit underdone, so they are easing him back.
riccardo: What is your nickname at the Club, Barry?
Barry Brooks: Brooksy, Bazz ... that's pretty much it!
maxiz_babe: Did you have fun in the pre-season training?
Barry Brooks: I didn't do too much of the solid pre-season because of my knee, but I’m trying to catch up now. I don't think you can really enjoy it because it's pretty hard, but you get a lot out of it.
Saints_fan: Does Grant Thomas ever smile?
Barry Brooks: Most of the time ... when there are no cameras around!
Tassie_Saints_Chick: Is Nick Dal Santo really not funny? :-)
Barry Brooks: He tries to be funny, but most of the time he just laughs at his own jokes!
saintbrat: Have you spoken to Daley Thompson much since he has been down there this year?
Barry Brooks: I spoke to him yesterday, and he did a bit of training with me last week - some exercises for my knee ... you take whatever he says onboard because he was the best there is!
maxiz_babe: Is it good having Burkey around the group? Does he give you a lot of encouragement?
Barry Brooks: Burkey is great - he's the skills coach, and the encouragement he gives is fantastic ... he obviously knows what he's talking about!
Barry Brooks: Thanks for the questions, and hopefully I’ll see you all down at Moorabbin. I have to take off now, so thanks again everyone!
