With Senior Coach Craig McRae sick, Senior Assistant Hayden Skipworth stepped in for this week’s press conference ahead of our trip to take on West Coast.
Skipworth touched on the selection questions the Pies will face this week, coming up against a talented Eagles side, and the form of some key Magpies.
On the selection changes for this week
“There’ll be some opportunity through the injuries,” Skipworth said.
“Our VFL has been unbelievable the last month, so we’ve got some really good players in form, so it’ll be good to give some opportunity.
“This week we’ll be down a few troops, but the squad is in good form.
“We had Will Hayes, Noah Howes (train in black today). We wanted to give some guys that we’re potentially looking at for selection this week a go with the senior team.
“With Jeremy Howe going down, Maynard out, Darcy Moore out, we’re light on for that key back.”
On Jordan De Goey’s fitness
“He didn’t get through training today. Obviously got a bit of a longer break before Sunday but you’d think he’d be unlikely going into the game having not trained this week,” he said.
“We’ll give him every opportunity, we’ll talk to the medicos this afternoon and see where he’s at.”
On Sam Swadling’s form
“Definitely he’s in the mix, you can’t ignore his form. He was really unlucky to go out of the team,” he said.
“I think he got 40 possessions again for an 18-year-old kid which is quite remarkable.
“His ball use as well, he doesn’t get the junky touches, he takes the ball forward, he can kick left and right, he’s got great hands around contest.
“He’s had a super first year and we’ve been lucky to find him some games and hopefully we can get him some more games in the back end of the year.”
On Dan Mstay’s starring role up forward
“With (Brody) Mihocek leaving as probably the number one key, I think Dan’s been thrust into that role,” he said.
“He’s got Charlie West around him, and he’s got leadership aspirations, he was in the leadership group last year and he’s one of the leaders of the forward line, so I think he’s leant into that.
“He’s put himself forward as a number one key and stepped into that.
“His form’s been the same as us winning, we’re aligned in that respect. We’re moving the ball better since the mid-season break … and he’s been on the end of that.”
