Q. It looked like the Bombers were going to kick away in the final quarter but the team just didn't seem to capitalise on their forward opportunities?
A. The competition is so even and a three and four goal lead isn't much. I know I missed one in the third quarter and David (Hille) obviously missed a couple in the last and those sort of things can definitely cost you a game.
Q. What did Sheeds have to say to the playing group after the game?
A. He was bitterly disappointed. He was as disappointed as I have seen him in the last three or four years. Knowing what was at stake and to play a last quarter like that. He was very disappointed like all of the players were.
Q. There is really no where to hide right now considering that James Hird was probably the only player missing from the top 22.
A. Definitely. You look at the side we were playing and you admire how they come up each week and we have to show plenty of that in the next 10 weeks. Guys are playing for their careers and futures the way we are going at the moment. Whether it is confidence or inexperience I am not too sure but hopefully the break has come at the right time. Guys can have a good look at themselves and see where we are all at and come out better players in the second half of the season.
Q. One of the positives was the return of both Adam Ramanauskas and Dustin Fletcher. What did you make of their games?
A. They are definitely going to be better for the run. You love having Dustin down there. He probably made a few skills errors when he kicked out on the full but when you haven't played for six weeks it takes you a while to keep up with the speed of the game. He is a great player to have back. I think Rama would have gained a lot of confidence for just being out there on Friday night.
Q. It did look like for a patch there in the third quarter Rama was really going to let loose. He was on fire there for a while and he really showed what an important player he is for the Essendon Football Club.
A. He is what we have missed. Our midfield with the Johnsons, Bullen and Misiti - they are all great players and hard at it and Rama is the type of player we need to compliment them with his leg speed. He did show some great signs and he is definitely as important as anyone in the mid-field and in the team.
Q. What did you make of Joe Misiti's game? A lot of people have been critical of Joe in recent weeks but I thought he was good and ended up with 27 touches. I thought he was pretty good....
A. I agree. He has come under a heap of pressure from the club and from outside the club as well. You just can't take away Joe's ball winning abilities. He continues to do it and I am sure he will continue to do it for the rest of the year.
