Q. As we have lacked pace in the midfield, is it feasible for Mark McVeigh to do a pre-season as if he will be a prime midfielder next year? (John Kerr)
A. I think every player should train as if they are playing in the midfield. Anyone that wants to put their hand up and train as hard as they can to fit in – it is not restricted to one person!
Q. 2004 could be known as the year of the ""hammy"". Why has Essendon suddenly been hit hard by this – is it training, preparation or just bad luck? (Paul Bosher)
A. Part of it can be bad luck but we are searching for the right answer there. You certainly can’t have a successful season if you go down the path of having that many injuries. I think we had 150 games missed through injury overall, so it has been a really good effort to finish sixth because of all of that. We are searching constantly and we will come up with the right conclusion as to why we had so many hamstring injuries.
Q. There is still a weakness in our midfield. It seems we are missing an outside player with skill and pace. We have the inside players of the likes of the Johnsons, Hird, Solomon and McVeigh. Are you grooming the likes of Stanton, Haynes and Winderlich into these outside players that we need? (Josh Lowe)
A. I would think that Murphy is an outside player and he finished fourth in our overall disposals. Whilst we didn’t develop him because he is an established player. We are certainly giving opportunities to the players you mentioned (Stanton, Haynes and Winderlich) and we need them to evolve quicker and really join in the cause of our midfield. These young guys have the speed; they just need to strengthen their understanding of stoppages and how to play in those positions without getting exposed.
Q. With all the hype over our midfield, would Mark Bolton be considered an option in their next year? He is the fittest guy at the club and I think he could hurt opposition sides. (Luke Tobin)
A. His running would suggest that he can, it is whether his understanding of the game in that area of the ground is enough to be able to hold down that spot.
Q. Do you believe that Dean Solomon’s move into the midfield has paid off or do you believe he is more of an asset down back? (Jasmine Cassim)
A. I think the last two years of Dean Solomon playing in the midfield will do enormous things for the rest of his career.
