Q – Did you look at those blokes who had those knee injuries on Grand Final day and think they are in trouble? Did that cross your mind at any stage?
A – The truth was I probably looked at them even before that. Even in the least couple of home and away games going into the finals I think it was pretty obvious we weren’t going as well as we could. One thing I’d say about the Essendon Football Club, they are a club with enormous heart and when we are 14 points up in a Grand Final, I would back our guys to win and I did on the day and I’d do it again. I think Brisbane are a very good team and they got over us but I think if we had the opportunity again in different circumstances, I don’t know if it would be the same case.
Q – Just on the fact that we basically played 22 Grand Finals during the home and away season – did that take more of a toll mentally or physically?
A – It’s just my opinion but I think it took more of a toll mentally. Remember we played a lot of young kids, kids who had never played AFL football. When you put on a red and black jumper you can’t say “he’s playing for Essendon but he is only 18, he’s only 19, or it’s only his first game” – it doesn’t matter! He’s put on a red and black jumper, he’s playing for Essendon and he’s expected to play – we’re expected to win. It is as simple as that. Those young kids have a lot of pressure on their shoulders. It was a significant thing when we beat Hawthorn in round nine. We basically had nine players out and it was a tremendous win. Then we went to Brisbane and we were beaten. It was a significant turning point for them but I think it was also significant for us because that was symptomatic of what was going to happen later on. Our young kids could not just back up again. One supreme effort was really good.
