We’ll go game-by-game across the AAMI Community Series to offer all the latest insights from coaches into who’s in form, who’s got a good role and the latest injury updates.
Geelong v Essendon
Geelong assistant coach Steven King
On Gryan Miers:
“Without singling him out, I think his pre-season has been one of our best. Every session he’s been available, so he’s put together a huge body of work. He’s got a footy brain on him.”
On Sam De Koning in the ruck:
“I think he’ll work well with Blicavs. Rhys Stanley played 4 quarters in the VFL game. All 3 players are options to go through the middle. Sam gives us flexibility behind the ball at times, which he did tonight. That’s a strength of his and ours as a team.”
On Bailey Smith:
“He will definitely play (Opening Round). He tweaked his knee a little bit, but it was very minor. He was sitting up there tonight going ‘I could have played’. We just thought he has missed so much footy, got through really well against Hawthorn last week. Let’s just give him two or three really good sessions ahead of Brisbane, so he will definitely play.”
On Toby Conway fitness:
“I’m not too sure of the exact timeline. He had a bit of a back issue. That’s more about reloading his whole body and see how it responds. He’ll probably still be a few weeks away before he puts his hand up for selection.”
On Jack Martin:
“Very close. You see what he does at training and in glimpses at the moment and it is high class. He is a very talented player, he is hard, he is smart. We want to get him in the team, but we want him to be there when the whips are cracking at the right time of the year.
“We’ll make sure we don’t set Jack up to come in and just have an impact for a week; we want it to be sustained. We’re not going to be rushed just because it is Opening Round or round one. He is building really nicely.”
On Rhys Stanley availability:
“Hasn’t missed a training session. At this time, it isn’t a fluid decision.”
Essendon assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa
On Isaac Kako:
“It’s obviously really exciting. The good thing is, he’s a hard worker and that’s coming out on the field. We’re not trying to put too much pressure on him. As a small forward, you can have days when you get on the end of the footy, I know that, but there are also days when it doesn’t quite work for you.
“We just encourage him to bring that pressure – and he definitely brings that. He’s electrifying with his pressure and we want to be known for that as a footy team.”
On Elijah Tsatas:
“He’s another guy that’s a real pro. He’s in a hurry. He’s had a big pre-season where he’s worked on his game. he worked die wondering. Playing inside mid at AFL level is a challenge, you come up against some beasts. We’re pleased with what he’s doing. His clearance stuff has been a highlight but we want a rounded player and he’s working hard on that.”
On Zach Reid:
“He’s been really good. He’s done the whole pre-season. We’re all just hoping he gets a run at it – not because of the talent he is, but he’s just a ripping kid. So far so good.”
On Dylan Shiel’s half-back role:
“He’s a high-quality player and has been for a long time in this competition. Sometimes you need a bit of spark somewhere else and he looks like he has that.”
On SSP signing Tom Edwards:
“He’s a great story. He hasn’t put a foot wrong.”
On Darcy Parish’s injury timeline:
“Not really. He’s day by day, week by week, but he’s progressing which is good.”
