The Sydney Swans AFLW side landed in Coffs Harbour on Friday afternoon, and forward Holly Cooper spoke to the media at C.ex Coffs International Stadium ahead of the team's Round 12 clash with Essendon on Saturday night.

On returning to Coffs Harbour 

"It feels really good. I enjoyed playing my debut on this ground. It's a really good oval and the grandstand is great and we usually get a pretty good crowd."

On how much she's learnt since she was here 12 months ago

"It's definitely been a long learning process. We had a pretty big pre-season starting in February, so I feel like I've learnt a lot more than I probably thought I would, especially from assistant coach Brooke Lochland who was a player with me in my first year and now is a coach for this year."

 
On the focus for the game
 
"Obviously, it's a must-win game for us to make finals and they know that as well. But we're kind of just looking at every game like it's a new game and we're starting fresh, even though it's a must-win. We just want to play the same as we would any other game."
 
On whether they have a "home ground" advantage in Coffs Harbour
 

"I think we do love a bit of a home crowd. I know it gets me going and it gets a lot of the girls going. So hopefully it can be an advantage to us."

On dealing with injuries in the squad

"There have been a few injuries, especially with Chloe, which is a big loss, and Chi (Cynthia) as well, but they're tracking pretty well. So, it is a loss, but I think with this team, we're prepared. We did it last week with Chi going down in that first quarter and we know that we can do it and some people are going to step up."

04:35

"I trust every girl we run out with tomorrow" - Cooper

Sydney Swans AFLW #2 Holly Cooper speaks to Coffs Harbour media ahead of season make or break clash with Essendon.

On playing at night

"I don't think it changes much, maybe just a bit of preparation, but I personally love night games, so I'm really excited and the weather's supposed to be really good, so hopefully it can stay like that."

On her message to girls growing up in regional areas, aspiring to play AFLW

"I think you've said it there, that's the message.  If I can do it, you can do it. It's just about if you really want it, anyone can do anything. It's really exciting to see heaps of the academy girls, especially that come from all over the central coast and everything, and there's about 10 girls up here in Coffs, which is really exciting. The pathway's getting bigger, which I love to see, as a local Newie girl, so I'm really excited."

On her message to Coffs locals

"I think the Coffs stadium is beautiful, I love a big crowd. I think it's just a really good atmosphere for us to play with a big crowd. When someone lays a tackle and you hear everyone cheering, it just gets you up hype, so hopefully everyone can make it to Coffs at 5pm on Saturday."