Sydney Swans senior coach Dean Cox spoke to members of the media Thursday morning ahead of the team's Preliminary Final against Fremantle at the SCG on Friday night.
On the support of the fans
“I think the support that this football club has had for a long period of time has been phenomenal. This year has been sold out for most of the year, and it's great to see everyone get back on, and hopefully we can put on a performance that we're really proud of.
On preparing for the Preliminary Final
“After the Brisbane game, we obviously acknowledge what we did well. We gave the players a couple of days to rest and recover, and then we were back in focusing on ourselves to start with and then from there, after Friday night's result, it was about all in on Fremantle and what we need to do to try and combat a top of the table team and a team that's in really good form.”
On Justin McInerney
“Justin will play… he's had a lot of work put in throughout this period of time, and it's a matter of me backing him in.”
“He spent a lot of time getting ready to come back and play whichever game, whether we won the first final or didn't, he was going to be available, and we're excited to see him back in the team.”
On playing in the Preliminary Final
“I think at this time of the year, both teams have a lot to play for. From our perspective, it is a home preliminary; it is one we're really excited about, and there's a chance to put your best foot forward and play in the grand final. It is a massive game for both clubs; we're under no illusion and one we're really excited to be in it.”
On preparing for Fremantle
“We've spent a fair amount of time looking at Fremantle. I think you have to. If you don't prepare as well as you possibly can, you're a disservice to the players. We've looked at all those games about where they're really effective, what we can try and nullify, and then from there, what do we need to expose at times. Our players are pretty clear on the plan that we need to come Friday night.”
On Caiden Cleary and Billy Cootee
“They're really excited. This is why you play football, this is why you train so long, and this is why throughout the seasons, when things aren't going your way, you do whatever you can to make sure when the time comes that your hand's in the air and you're ready to get picked. That's what I've said to the players all year; we need to make sure that we're a team. It was going to take a squad to get to where we want to go, and we're using that squad.”
On Jai Serong
“I think the great thing about Jai ever since we've had him in our football club, is his flexibility. I think the importance of the roles that he does play through the middle of the ground has helped our team immensely, and that will happen again Friday night.
