Q. You have seemed to lack fire power this season?
A. It has been a little bit this year. Probably if you took Hird and Lloyd out of the season. Lloyd has probably kicked 30 plus goals, he would probably have 90 goals by now, so there is 60 goals. It is a fair and decent haul and probably Hirdy would have 25 more goals. That scoring power has hurt us and a few of our players that have been there, would want to lift their act and make sure if they are picked in the side they perform - that is what they are selected for every week.
Q. Are you talking about anyone in particular?
A. All of them - every player I would say at our club would definitely have to be on notice - the whole lot of us. We only have nine and a half wins. The whole football department and the whole team and it should be. We need to win more games than what we have - it is as simple as that! We have had a lot of players out and we have had a lot of players that have been flat and not playing as well as possible. We are trying to look at every area.
Q. If Dean Rioli returns to the seniors this week - will he continue to play on the half-back line or in the forward line?
A. We need more goal power and he is in better form now than what he was previously when he was on the forward line.
Q. Are you going to continue to play the players that are down on form?
A. Most likely. As far as I am concerned I am not sure all of the form in the VFL has been absolutely spot on. We might play one or two new players this weekend, but that is it. There won't be five changes or anything like that when you are going into a serious match like this one.
Q. Why are they down - you have seen these guys play pretty good footy over the last four years?
A. It has been awkward to answer and get it right and spot on. I would probably say the 14 night games has been detrimental to the side. Probably playing a day game last week was good for us and we will come in a bit fresher this week.
Q. Confidence must be dropping off at the moment?
A. No more or no less than the other teams that are fighting for a spot in the finals. We are all about one game different - so how is there confidence? All the percentages are the same, so there is not much in it. I have heard everyone else has had a good season except Essendon, when you really think about it there is probably six or seven teams fighting for the last four positions in the eight - I don't know why anyone's confidence would be anymore than others.
Q. Are you still interested in drafting Wayne Carey?
A. Why not, the bloke is a fantastic player. One third of the AFL still are after him but I would not have a clue where he is going. He will probably make up his mind in the next week or two and he should take his time and really decide. He has to try and pick an opportunity at a club where he can win a premiership and do well and finish off a marvellous career. Whether he comes to Essendon or not, I just wish him all the best.
Q. Will you be meeting with him again shortly?
A. I may or may not. I am not sure if the club is going to have another meeting with him.
