Adam Kingsley speaks to Richmond Media about the Round 14 win over West Coast in this week’s edition of Coaches Corner, presented by Hostplus.
Impressive performance against a top team
“We were really pleased with our performance, (it was) probably one of our best for the season. West Coast were coming off eight in a row, so clearly, they were in good form. We were able to really stifle their offence and exploit them on our offence, so it was a really pleasing win.”
Breaking even with West Coast rucks and midfield
“It felt like we did a pretty good job around there, they had a couple of moments where they got out the front on us from the stoppage and Nic Naitanui was pretty important for them. But I thought all in all, our midfield did quite a good job and certainly our ruck duo against 'Nic Nat' were really good, and we were quite pleased with how they competed in and around those stoppages.”
Nankervis impressive off a long break
“Yeah, he certainly has (picked up where he left off). We put a bit of work into him prior to picking him. He was probably ready a week earlier than when we picked him, but we gave him an extra week and it certainly paid off. His ruck work, his follow up stuff and then his ability to find the ball around the ground was really good. I think he had five tackles and a lot of pressure, so you know he’s obviously, clearly one of the better ruckmen in the league at doing that.”
Thomson Dow on debut
“He certainly didn’t (look out of it at the level), he was very lively around the ball. He played in the middle and played on the wing too when Grimesy went down. We were pretty pleased with how he just adapted to new challenges we threw at him during the game and we feel like he’s going to be a pretty good player for the Club, for a long time.”
Big step up for debutants
“You take a little bit of a step into the unknown when you choose some players who haven’t played much footy. The reality is we have been playing some scratch matches up here combined with other clubs, against other clubs. We might have half a dozen players; the Bombers might have 12 and together we form a team and play a Gold Coast/Western Bulldogs team for instance, so it’s very unique in that sense. But we have been really pleased with the way our fitness staff and coaching staff have prepared our players to play, and we feel like Thomson’s one of a few who we feel are ready to play when called upon. We were really pleased with his performance.”
Jack Graham strong form
“I feel like he’s in career best form. He was out of the team for a little while and he has come back in with a lot of hunger and a bit of fire burning in that belly of his. He is very urgent around the stoppages, around the contest, and he is a pressure and tackle machine, and we love that about him. But (also) his ability to win the ball and then use it. I think he’s had quite a few kicks inside 50 which have found the mark which is really nice to see from him.”
Fremantle good midfield on paper
“Their position on the ladder does not actually tell an accurate tale as to how they are going, I think they have won four of their last five. They have got a really experienced midfield that they can rely upon, but they are pushing a lot of their younger guys through there. Blakely and Serong are a couple. They have got a lot of dangerous players; the backline is really strong, and they are a defensive-biased team. They are a lot like West Coast in a sense of how they play, so we feel like the game last week has prepared us really well for this one."
Luke Ryan a strong interceptor like McGovern
“Our boys did a wonderful job last week; I think West Coast took maybe four intercept marks for the game, which is probably a season low for them. We will be looking for those big boys to do the same up front again this week.”
