Q: A really competitive effort last week against Hawthorn. How much does the addition of Martin, Kolodjashnij and Ah Chee help in that polish that we probably needed.

Certainly that was probably the thing that cost us last week.

We created enough opportunities, hit the post four times- just going inside 50  the last quarter, just that final kick going inside 50 hurt us.

Hopefully with those guys back, who can obviously use the ball well, just add that bit of polish to us.

I think those inclusions of quality always helps.

Q: Must have been pleased with the grunt work and key indicators against the reigning premiers.

I thought we worked hard enough, the indicators were pretty good, we won most things.

But as we know there’s key moments in games that you’ve just got to be able to take or be able to stop the opposition or be able to win those key moments. And we just weren’t able to do that.

Q: You’ll persist again with the three tall forward line. Do you think they can stretch the Saints defence this week?

Yeah I think, they can stretch most defences. Pete’s only young and inexperienced so he’s still learning.

They’ve only played together now, this will be the third week, so they are just learning the patterns and a bit of synergy but I think it’s going to be at really good day here weather wise.

I can see long-term that it’s going to be a real potent force for us.

Q: I know we keep talking about Tom Lynch but his first quarter and a half against the Hawks was absolutely dominant. What do you think he’s capable of if he can string four quarters together and get the supply form the midfield?

I think it’s all about supply. They started double-teaming after half time, which was a good ploy. We weren’t able to utilise the spare player so we’ve got to get better at that.

He can be an exceptional player, but he’s still only young, he’s got a lot to learn.

There’s a few areas of this game he’s got to keep working on. I think the pleasing thing with Tom, there is probably two things, is he’s so competitive, but he does want to improve- he does want to get better.

I think players get to a certain level sometimes and they fall away because they’re happy where they’re at. But Tom’s not like that. How far he can go, I’m not too sure, but I think there’s not doubt there is a lot of improvement left in him.

Q: The Saints run a similar forward structure with Josh Bruce, who got a hold of us last year, Tim Membrey and Patty McCartin. A big job for our back six this week?

We’re probably like when we play teams, we’re a little bit undersized in defence.

But we’ve got confidence in the guys we’ve got there, Steven May is in good form. Rory, he’s only two games back and probably hasn’t reached his peak yet so we’re expecting an improved performance from him. Obviously having Kade back ,but were hoping our system and structure behind the ball can help us.

Q: Gaz had his first 40 possession game in almost two years against the Hawks, how do you rate his performance and how much better can he get?

I don’t know if he can get much better. He’s got an enormous level that he plays at, or has played at. He looked actually to be getting back to his old self, has that bit of zip around the packs.

His contested ball has been pretty good the last 4-5 weeks, he’s just added that element to his game. But he played exceptionally well.

Q: Do you think contested footy is going to be where the game is won or lost on the weekend. Obviously the Saints have got a pretty exciting midfield with Jack Steven and the emerging Seb Ross.

I think contested ball’s obviously a main thing most weeks. You look at Hawthorn their 18th for differential and on top of the ladder.

It’s not as big an indicator as it has been in the past.

Its still one of the main ones but it’s not out there by itself. I think you certainly need to be able to bring pressure on the opposition.

If you don’t bring the pressure the opposition will slice you through so those two main things we will be worrying about.