1. What was your role on Friday night and how do you think you went?
I was at half-back, rotating into the midfield. The Coaches have put me back there for a bit of run and delivery from the back line. You have to beat your opponent first, and then provide run off from there. I started at half-back on Pettifer, and went into the midfield in the second where Tivendale picked me up. Pettifer’s always making position away from the pack, but he didn’t kick a goal on me.
2. What happened after quarter time? After our first good start in a month, we seemed to fall in a hole of sorts…
Before the game we were really focussed on a big start, and to be up at quarter time, we were happy. But we took the foot off the pedal, they got a run-on in the second, and we played – not defensive, I’d call it ‘wary’ – football, meaning we were very reactive, and they pummelled us. We did well to kick 3 goals from 5 or 6 Inside 50’s, but they had something like 22 Inside 50’s for the quarter.
3. To be honest Heath, it was a pretty tough game to watch on Friday, was it tough to play?
It was frustrating – look, we are a young group – but the frustrating part is that the missed targets really hurt us. We work hard to set the play up, and get goal side of our opponents when we control the ball, but the turnover strikes, they take control of the ball and you’re suddenly 10-20 metres off your man. Look, we’re not going to be down for much longer – we just have to start hitting our targets, and it will turn.
4. Do you see yourself as an on-baller, or as a defender?
On-baller, I’ve been an on-baller all my career, but the way the game is changing these days, half-backs are extra on-ballers anyway with teams flooding, and pushing their half forwards back. Playing at half-back is a new role for me this year, and I’m feeling more comfortable back there, but I’d say on-baller.
5. Our game plan appears different in 2006 - does it take a while to get used to?
We did a lot of work on it over the pre-season, and we adapt our training to it. At times last year we were predictable going forward, if we went up forward teams would just get their defenders back. These days sometimes the speed of the game means you have to hold your position, hold onto the ball, and change the angles on the forward entries. Really, it’s [the change in game plan] better suited for us, with our speed and run.
6. Do you think the Game Plan is a part of your increase in average stats this year – from 19.7 in 2005 to 23.6 this year? Or is that just your form / fitness? Bit of both?
Bit of both really. I was disappointed with my year last year – I finished off OK but the start was poor. I really wanted to have a decent year this year, and I knew I needed to get my fitness up. I also had a better pre-season, it’s my second pre-season in a row. Also I think there’s a bit of maturity – I’ve knuckled down a bit. I guess the game plan is worth a few more possessions a game, but not the whole difference. You never know, one bad game and it could all change.
7. You played 53 games with the Pies, now you face them in your 100th – how are you feeling about the game?
Not nervous on a personal level – not about the 100 games or playing the old team - I’m more nervous for our team. We’ve been playing good footy for all but, you know, half a quarter or so, and it’s stopped us from winning a game. We deserve a win and I’m nervous for us – our team, our fans – who really need a win.
8. The Pies have only beaten 1 Top 8 team – the Hawks – with their only other wins against Bottom 5 teams Port, Essendon and the Kangaroos – whilst we’ve been close in each game. Can we knock them off?
Definitely. I’m extremely confident we’ll put in a good show. Inside the Club we know we have to put in for the full 4 quarters. I think we match up well against them. Look, in the press, they’ve won 4 in a row, have no injuries, and everything is rosy, and we know we’ll need to be red hot, but we match up well – both teams have great forward lines, both teams have good defences – and it will be won & lost in the midfield.
9. How are we going to beat the Pies? Who is going to stop Rocca and Tarrant?
The only way for us to win is with pressure in the midfield. With their forward line, if the ball comes in with no pressure they’ll kick a lot of goals. It’s going to come down to our pressure – our midfield, our defenders, our experienced players and the young guys like Betts and Murphy.
10. You have experienced the playing culture at Carlton and at Collingwood. How does the build-up to Carlton v Collingwood matches differ for each team? Is the traditional rivalry still relevant nowadays?
Yeah I think it is. At Collingwood, it was always a massive game – the next biggest after the Anzac Day I guess. We rate it highly as well - more of a crowd; a win is always on the agenda, and we always want to knock them off. The boys know that this is a big one for us.
Who’d have thought Scotland would talk so much, eh? We’d just figured he was a quiet sort of bloke, for some unknown reason that continues to escape us. But after having a chat to Heath, and feeling a bit flat on Saturday, I’d have to say that I’m pumped again for the weekend. Big game, big event, big stage – everything is set for a huge Carlton performance on the weekend.
