Senior Coach Dean Cox spoke to the media on Wednesday (May 21) about the side's upcoming clash with Narrm at the MCG. He answered questions about the side's win over Carlton, gave an update on a number of players and what it would take to get the win this Sunday. 

On reviewing the game against Carlton 

"I think, first of all, to play against a really good clearance and contested ball team, that was probably the first thing we had to look at in the game and try and match them in that area, which, to the players' credit, they did that well. So it was about acknowledging that, but then also about some improvements we still need to make."

On Joel Amartey and Justin McInerney receiving suspensions

"They're remorseful for what they've done, I addressed the players yesterday when they got back about the balance we need to find. The rules are there, you have to play to that, and the bump and any contact you do make with the head, you're a high possibility of being suspended for a number of weeks. So we need our best players playing footy, so they're made aware that we don't want to do that as a football club. And the technique stuff we touched on briefly, about as soon as you put your elbow in and hit them with your shoulder you're every possibility, so something we'll talk about and work on."

On if Hayden McLean will return to the side

"Possibly, we need to look at what it looks like ahead of the ball, obviously without Joel there now, as well as Logan. It's not about one week going back and dominating that automatically gets you back in the team, it's about understanding that we've got to play a certain way and what's required individually and collectively, that you need to do that. So I've had conversations with him yesterday, I'll do it again today, and we'll see how training goes tomorrow."

On Callum Mills

He's got one more session, if he gets through the session, he's playing. So that's probably the great thing about Callum now, he played extremely well in the restricted minutes that he had on the weekend, there was always a plan last week, wait for that, tick that off. He got through yesterday and he gets through tomorrow, he lines up for us, which is great."

On Taylor Adams

"Yeah, he will be (in the mix), so we've got to have a look at how many come out and who we bring in. Obviously Ollie was subbed last week as well, so we've got to look at that dynamic. But he did what he had to do on the weekend and it was good to actually watch the first half before our game and watch both of those guys go at it (Adams and Mills) and rally against a Carlton VFL team."

On Aaron Francis

"He's going OK, the thing with concussion is as soon as you go in protocols and you step up your exercise each day, it tells you how fast you can quickly go to the next day or the next stage. So we're going to be really cautious with that, we always have been. We understand the welfare of the player is at the forefront and Aaron's no different, but so far he's going really well."

On the structure of the backline this week against Naarm

"You've also got to look at your opposition, obviously, last week they had a couple of really big keys. So Melbourne, what they do with van Rooyen and Fritz was subbed last week, so there's a number of looks that they can get ahead of the ball. So we'll prepare for all of them and that'll factor into the decision we make for who we play back there."

On Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner

"I think most sides certainly look at a couple of those players like we do to the opposition as well. I think the luxury you have with Isaac and with Chad is their ability to have an impact when they go forward and they do it differently. So the match-up between what Isaac can do aerially or on the ground compared to Chad with his burst plays is different. So we need to make sure that we're potent certainly around the ball but also ahead of the ball we can take our opportunities there as well and they provide a really different match-up for opposition teams."

On Brodie Grundy's match up against Max Gawn

"He's a phenomenal footballer (Gawn) and I think what he's shown probably the last month especially, he's been as dominant as any player in the competition. You see late in the game what he can do when the team needs him, he lifts the Melbourne Football Club. So, you know, we're aware of that and the magnitude that he has on that football team. But they've got damaging players across the whole park and Brodie's been in really good form, so, against Max he needs to be again so it's an exciting battle I'm looking forward to."

On playing at the MCG this weekend

"The players love playing there and I think they're excited to go back there, I certainly am, I can't wait. It's a phenomenal stadium and as you mentioned, you know, it'd be great if you get more opportunities to play there. The couple we have, we've got to make the most of."