Finals preparation

“We're excited. It's September and we’re still playing."

“It’s an exciting time to be involved. Ten teams are now on holidays and we’re not.”

"There's an optimism when you start the season and you get to the finals and you qualify like you have; there's optimism."

"There's an opportunity for us to stay in the moment but also what could be."

"You win one game, you're in a prelim, you win two you're in a grand final. You win 3 you're the premiers. It's that close now."

One year on as coach 

"I never thought I'd be in this position."

"Twelve months ago today; I'll never forget walking in these walls and facing the press for the firs time."

"I think I've grown enormously in this time and I think the playing group has too; it’s a nice little reflection."

The belief at the Pies

"To believe in people is one big thing and then believe in a group and treat people well; who knows what can happen."

"This is something we wouldn't have forecasted."

"Belief comes through action and that's what I've presented to the guys."

Nathan Kreuger

“He looked a bit rusty at times but it's been 15 weeks. We just have to weigh up whether he's got enough load and energy to give us and what balance that gives us if he comes in the team."

"Credit to him. It looked like his season was done and the longer we’re going into it, the more chance he has."

The challenge against Geelong           

"It's going to be a massive challenge. They're in great shape."

"They’ve won 13 games in a row, they're going to have everybody available, they’re two games on top of the ladder, have huge experience on their list – a lot of shared experience. It's going to be a massive challenge."

"Anytime you step over the white line theres an element of competitiveness that you need to bring your best and I would have thought this is going to be a real red hot game for the very start."

Mason Cox

"He's had a terrific season for us."

"Him and Darcy [Cameron] have worked really well together."

"[It's a] big job this week. The aerial contest is going to be significant in the battle and he's going to have to play his role well."

Finals at the MCG

"We’ve had huge games; Anzac Day, Queens Birthday, the Carlton game, the Essendon game."

"There’s huge crowds and our players have now had a shared experience in that. And those games have been tight."

"Hopefully at some stage that stacks up but we have to get our hands on the footy to make the game close."

Finals as an opportunity

"I'm genuinely excited. This is an opportunity that we have and we have a chance to put ourselves in a prelim final."

"They don’t come around too often."

"This is a great opportunity for us and we're all excited for it." 

Watch the presser in full: