We kicked 100 points against a team that hasn’t lost, so obviously there are some positives there but without doubt we got smashed out of the centre square, they kicked a lot of goals from there and that’s the game as far as we’re concerned. It was probably the worst we’ve ever played in the centre square – we changed ruckman in there, we tried to have extra players behind the ball, we tried one of everything but to their credit that’s how they won the game.
Do you think they placed some extra emphasis on working out that side of things?
I don’t know, you’d have to ask them. I know that I didn’t think we played well, so if you combine whatever they were working on with us playing poorly, then you’ll get that result.
Where did it go wrong for you in that sort of thing, the centre clearances?
We lost the hit would be the first thing, secondly they got hold of the ball and scored from it, so that’s how we went wrong.
You got the jump on them early, is that part of your disappointment, that would be particularly disappointing I would imagine?
Yes, but I don’t think anyone doubts that Hawthorn has some great goal scoring capabilities and probably their dominance out of the centre square wasn’t something we’d anticipated, especially with Hodge not playing, but obviously Chad’s not playing and a couple of others that we might have been able to put in there as well, so we look forward to when they’re back. If you look at Batemam, he went inside-50 nine times and had 10 tackles and 28 possessions; he could have had one more week off to get his finger right, couldn’t he, it might have helped.
Alastair Clarkson offered his club’s public apology to yours for Mark Williams’s gesture when he kicked that last goal. Did you see it or take offense at it.
Yeah, I saw it.
Did you take offense from it?
It probably said he hadn’t touched the ball all day, so I’m not sure exactly what he was getting at. Alastair said he wants him to call you this week and if it was him he might not take the call. Will you take the call if he calls?
I don’t need a call.
So, it’s not an issue for you?
I couldn’t care less. Footballers do strange things. It doesn’t change the game.
It’s real heat of the moment thing, Mark?
I’m not sure, you should ask him.
Where do you sit now Mark. Obviously some excellent progress and you’ve taken a little step back in the second half today?
We’re one of those teams that needs to battle like hell to see if we’re a chance (to make finals). We’ve got a pretty tough draw coming up, so we’ll have to see what we can do as far as winning against some of the more fancied clubs.
What about the interchange, how did you find that worked?
Honestly, I don’t watch the interchange during the game, I watch the game. You’d have to ask the interchange steward.
What were you happy with on your side of things?
Well, the first half Tredrea was outstanding without any doubt. Tom Logan did a wonderful job on Crawford. Some of the younger players did well. I thought Robbie Gray for the amount of games he’s played kicked a few goals and got amongst it, so that was quite good. The ball came into the backline a lot, so the defenders probably did okay as well. Most our disappointment was around the centre square.
Shaun Burgoyne seemed to be getting a stack of the ball, his game would have at least pleased you I would have thought?
Well he’s a good player, you’d expect that every week, but probably his man had quite a bit of the ball as well.
Could you see glimpses of the old Danyle Pearce coming back today? Probably the first half, again, he was not too bad.
