Adam Elliott has spoken with the media about the feeling in the camp, Josh Reynolds, this week’s game with the Dragons and the fans support.
Read more quotes from Adam Elliott’s press conference at Belmore Sports Ground ahead of the Bulldogs clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Monday.
How’s the feeling in the camp?
Surprisingly it’s been good this week. We’ve come in and hit the ground running. We are at the point now where we know it’s really vital that we get a win this week so we’re all pumped. Everyone’s got their energy levels up and I don’t think there’s any reason in sooking around and kicking stones. There’s been a bit of an upbeat feeling around the last couple of days.
Have you guys changed anything this week?
We haven’t really changed anything and I don’t think we will change much around training. Obviously we’re going to have to fix the results that have happened over the last couple of weeks, but I think the same processes and things will be in place. I just think it’s a matter of the boys realising that kicking stones isn’t really going to change anything for us at the moment and the only thing that can do that for us, is our attitude towards playing and training.
What does the return of Josh Reynolds mean?
I think that’s probably a big reason towards the attitude really at training as well. You’ve heard it all season about how much of an inspiration he is to this team and how much spark that he brings to us on game day. It’s been obvious at training that he is going to bring a bit for us and I think the boys are really excited to see him out there.
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Did Josh’s decision to leave have an effect on the team?
I can’t really speak for the whole team, but me personally I had a pretty big chat with Josh and it was the opposite for me. I love playing with him and I wanted to make sure that every time I went out there that I was going to do the best possible job for the team. It’s still my attitude and I’d say it’s the attitude of a lot of the boys as well. Even though he is going, we would love to send him out the best way possible.
Did the team miss Josh while he was out injured?
It would be naïve to say that we didn’t because of the type of player that he is. One because of his performances, but two the personality he brings to the team.
Did the other halves miss him (Matt Frawley and Moses Mbye)?
They did have a good combination with Matt Frawley coming into the side and they had a good rotation happening, but I think it actually opened a door for Frawls (Matt Frawley) and Moses to play 80 minutes together and to try to build a bit of a combination. Even though we haven’t had the results in the last couple of weeks, the fact that they have been able to play 80 minutes together for the last month is going to be a good thing going forward even though we may have missed a little bit with Josh being out. I don’t think that’s on the other halves, but I think that’s purely just because of the player Josh is.
How important is the Dragons game?
It’s a big game and they’re in really good form. They’ve turned a corner this year and they’re playing really good footy. We need to be up mentally for the game and obviously really working hard towards getting that win.
How important is the fans support?
We’ve got some of the best fans in the game so if they can rock up there at ANZ, it's always a big lift when you get a big crowd. It’s a big lift for you when it comes to changing momentum in the game. When the crowd gets behind you it really does help, so it will be great to see them turn up for us.
Do you think you owe it to the fans?
Yeah I think we owe the fans and I think we owe it to each other as well. You talk about family and what family means to you and who you play for. I think I owe it to all those people, but more than anyone else I probably owe it to myself to go out there this week and play my best game. More than anything, we owe it to each other as a 17.
