Sydney Swans midfielder Montana Ham spoke to the media today about the side's back-to-back losses, the team's mindset heading into the second half of the season and how the team plans to tackle Adelaide on Sunday.
On the team's mindset
"I think we set ourselves up in a good position early on in the season with the four straights win. We're still a young side and got all the youth through the group, but we're still learning highs and lows of the game and still learning how to adjust in moments where we do get those momentum shifts. But, you know, like Scotty said before, we've got an exciting couple of games coming up and we're kind of ready to take the challenge to them and I think the group's hungrier than ever."
On momentum shifts during the game
"I think for us it's probably just sticking to our system. I think sometimes when momentum does shift we want to win and everyone's trying to win, but sometimes if you do that that's not what helps the team and I think for us it's kind of just fixing up those little cracks and those gaps in our gameplay and kind of sticking and holding true to our system and trusting that that works and hopefully that brings us over the line in some tight games like that."
On how the team approaches Adelaide
"I think for me it's kind of just down to mindset. Like you said, a four quarter effort is probably something that we're working on and we've got to bring that kind of mindset throughout the whole game, especially against those type of teams because in the first couple of weeks for Geelong particularly we were able to wrestle back, but against teams like Adelaide and North that can go at you for four quarters, we've got to be able to do that from the start."
On how the team approaches the next two away games against tough opposition
"I think for us I try not to think about too far ahead. I think it's just being where your feet are at and taking it one step at a time. We've got some exciting teams coming up but this week we're focused on Adelaide and we've had a good hit out on the track today and we'll come again on Friday and prepare the best we can. When we fly out there we'll think about that game and whatever the result or outcome is that we'll move on, we'll review and we'll go again the next week. So I think every team has the objective to win and that's what we want to do. We want to go out there and we want to win. It's just being where your feet are and not getting too far ahead of yourself."
On the challenge of the next month
"I think it's a great opportunity for the group to be challenged by some of the top-end teams. Like you said, the competition is evening out so there's always a chance and I think that gives great belief and hope for the group. We're a young enough coming side and we've had the privilege of being hunted the last two weeks and now we get to go hunting like Scotty said and that's exciting. That's kind of where you want to be as a young group and we've got a lot of grit and determination so we're excited for Adelaide and the challenge that lies ahead."
How they plan to combat the Crows' midfield
"I think for us we are a quick team and we love to go quick but sometimes that can be to our detriment. So it's kind of learning how different modes of play work well for us and when we do get the ball forward of centre how we want to deliver those entries into the forward 50. I think that's probably an area that we need to tidy up and we'll train that this week and look to polish that up in the game coming."
