James Sicily, Nick Watson and Josh Weddle have all fronted the media ahead of Friday’s blockbuster Preliminary Final against Geelong at the MCG.
The trio spoke about the occasion, the rivalry against Geelong and more.
We summarised the key points from each player’s press conference below.
On the team’s belief
Nick Watson: “I feel like anyone in this finals series can win it, and we’ve definitely got belief as a group, and we’re a very confident group.
Josh Weddle: “We obviously had a good start to the year, then a few hiccups along the way, but I think our best footy is still yet to come, so hopefully we bring it on Friday night.”
On the Geelong rivalry
Nick Watson: “I was a Pies man growing up, so I watched a bit of it. Obviously, Sam goes through it as well because he was a part of it. You see a lot of vision as well, now growing up. Being part of Hawthorn, there’s obviously a big rivalry there, and the Easter Monday clash has been good to play in as well. The Easter Monday game this year was massive, and it was good to be a part of. It’s good that we’re facing off in a prelim as well, it will obviously be massive at the ‘G, and I’m really keen for it.”
Josh Weddle: “It’s a big rivalry. There’s been some good tests over the years. They’ve had the number on us on the previous Easter Mondays. It’ll be a good clash. For all the other boys that grew up as Hawthorn supporters, they would obviously know a bit more about it, but yeah, obviously watching those prelims 10 years ago, they’re pretty unreal, so hopefully it can be another spectacular game.”
James Sicily: “I think we do have enormous respect for Geelong. They’ve had our number for the past couple of years in the home-and-away season, and they’re a great team, they make prelims for fun, they get cherry ripe for this time of year, so we’re going to have to be at our best. We’re excited for a great game with a great atmosphere.”
On Luke Breust’s injury
Nick Watson: “It was the worst news. Obviously, Luke Breust is such a nice guy. As a small forward myself, I obviously look up to him a fair bit. He’s had a fantastic career and been one of the best small forwards to ever do it, so to see him go down in his last game like that, there’s nothing worse and I feel for him. We’re all going to wrap our arms around him and hope for the best.”
James Sicily: “I caught up with him twice. He’s in amazing spirits, it just sums him up as a bloke. He’s not worried about himself and what he’s going through, he’s willing to give. He’s just got an amazing perspective on things at the moment. It was pretty devastating to see him go down like that, being a close friend. I definitely didn’t want to see him go out in that sort of fashion. He’s still got a role to play for us and has got a bit of purpose left, but he’s got an amazing perspective. It’s disappointing, though.”
Watch each player’s full press conference below
