The squad are preparing for a tough clash with the Western Bulldogs on Thursday night at Marvel Stadium. See what senior coach Dean Cox had to say on Tuesday at training. Meanwhile, captain Callum Mills addressed the media at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday. 

Dean Cox

On what stood out in the team's performance against GWS

"I suppose probably to play our way for periods. I think one thing that we probably allowed GWS to do a little bit too much was some of their handball game. That was part of the review that we spoke about. We want to make sure against good teams we get a chance to reflect on how our game's going and try and improve as the year progresses as well."

On approaching this week's game against an under-manned Bulldogs contingent

"That's how we approach it, them at their best. I think that's the only way you can do it. They've shown for most parts of this season that they're one of the best teams in the competition and that's the way we'll be preparing our players because what they have out on the football field is still an unbelievable football team. The calibre of that list and squad is really deep and we expect them at their best."

On supporting Taylor Adams

"First of all, there's a person and then there's a player. I think you have to deal with the person in relation to when they go through tough times and support them as much as you possibly can. We've done that whether it's through catching up, speaking to him regularly, whether it's through allowing him to have a day or two here to spend time with loved ones as well. So, that's the way we approach it all. I think it's about putting a plan in place about how we can try and get the player back as quickly as possible in the safest way possible"

On Joel Amartey contract negotiations

"We're always in constant dialogue with managers as a football club and Joel's no different. And you are right, he started the season really well. So for us, it's about trying to make sure that we can keep our team together for as long as possible. Joel's a big part of that and he understands that. I think when you always have players that are out of contract, they'll always gain a little bit more attention to that. But we want to make sure that Joel's happy and we're happy, which at the current moment we are."

On managing the mental health of players

"I think trying to catch up with the players as frequently and as often as I possibly can. And that's not only myself. I expect that from the line coaches, development coaches and everyone that's at the football club is to treat and speak to the person before the footballer. And that's about finding out how they're going off field, life away from footy, study, everything. Family and then from that, how that's going to impact and help their football. So that's the part that we spend a lot of time in. We have regular catch-ups about how a player's going and I presume most clubs do that as well."

On how players deal with scrutiny

"It's skyrocketed. I think the demands that are on players and certainly young people now. Social media has had a big say in that. The ability to be able to scrutinise and talk to people at will. I think the players do a really good job dealing with that and it's about supporting each other. That's one thing that we'll always do. We spend time talking through scenarios about how you handle it and bring it up. I think you try and be as equipped as you possibly can be, knowing that there's something around the corner that you might not be aware of."

Callum Mills

On playing the Bulldogs

"They're an extremely good side and they run really deep. They've been a good side for years as well, so we're going to have to really be on our air game."

On the team's performance

"Yeah, definitely. I guess it goes into the work that we've been putting in, being able to train really hard and being happy with the performance we're putting in. But it's a tough game, AFL, and there's a lot of good opposition and we're going to have to be really good against the Bulldogs as well."

On the two AFL debutants

"Yeah, it's awesome news. Great example of resilience in two forms. Billy, obviously through VFL programs, Essendon and then Norwood, and then Will Edwards through injury and a long time on the list, just persevering and playing really good footy. They both get the chance, which is amazing"

On the Bulldogs celebrating their 10-year Premiership anniversary

"They'll want to come out and play really well and we've got to be aware of that and then also channel our own energy in what we need to bring, so that's going to be important as well."