“YOU CAN never question the character of our side.”
The pride was evident from AFLW Senior Coach Mathew Buck for his side after the team came away with a come-from-behind win against Hawthorn in the semi final.
After conceding the opening three goals of the game, the Blues once again showed their character and got to work, hitting the front on three separate occasions in the second half to eventually come away with a memorable five-point win.
Speaking post-match to media, here’s what Buck had to say.
On a semi final win to remember:
“You can never question the character of our side. Back-to-back prelims now, down 19-0 and kicked five of the last seven goals of the game, turned the clearances around - I thought we were pretty emphatic in the second half.
“I point to people like the captain Abbie McKay who was tremendous again tonight in another big game. Overall, it was a pretty strong performance.”
On Darcy Vescio being the hero in their milestone game:
“It’s poetry, isn’t it? It’s a great story, and Darcy Vescio is a great story from game No.1 to this game. To be able to take your moment and do that with all that experience that 100 games gives you is really special. That’ll be a moment Darcy will cherish and our team will cherish.
“As I’ve said to them, gee I love being along for the ride. It’s so fun being there. The way Darce mentors our young players, you watch Lily Baxter in a final play such a pivotal for us and execute under high pressure. The mentorship that Darcy gives all our players is extraordinary and shines through.
“Written in the stars, I’m happy with that.”
On how the team responded after Hawthorn’s fast start:
“What we knew is we’re a team that will find a way. We knew we could turn it around, we’ve been tested before: I go back to the last home-and-away game against Brisbane, and what’s underestimated about our group is how hard we are to play against.
“We hear a lot of different numbers about our group, but one number I hear is our contested possession post-clearance number: we’re No.1 in the competition for that, and that’s a number that helps you win games.
“The analysis can be fingernail deep, but if you have a look, we’re a really tough team to play against. I can’t wait to be that next week.”
On how the team responded from the disappointment of last week:
“We’re professional every time we step in. You take your loss, you take your lessons, you turn up and you get better every day. I can’t question our team for that, not for a minute did anyone drag their knuckles thinking ‘poor me’.
“We love playing finals footy and we’ll never take that for granted. The Roos are a great side, that’s fine. We move past that, we shape up in front of Hawthorn and get the job done - I’m super proud.”
On Harriet Cordner’s continued impact:
“She’s like a fine wine, Harriet - she just keeps getting better. Jac Dupuy is a really tough opponent and played a great game tonight, but I’ve spoken all year about how Harriet is supported by a lot of members in the backline and our mids get back to support.
“It’s not often we win the inside-50 count and we put a lot of pressure on our backs: I don’t want to lose that, it’s a number we’d like to be better at. But if that’s the way we’ve got to win, then that’s it.
“Harriet is happy to step up and intercept the footy, and with 11 intercepts again tonight, she’s the All-Australian centre half-back for the second year in a row I’d imagine.”
On the impact of the team’s inclusions:
“I thought Lila Keck took her moments really well. She was unlucky in the season to have an injury after starting so well, but she came back and influenced with footy in hand.
“Claudia Whitfort, what a great pick-up she’s been this year for us. Talking about professionals, she’s the ultimate professional all the time: wanting to get better, looking after herself in a great way and was really close to playing last week. To have her back, we had to fight back after a quick start from Hawthorn and she led that.
“I’m super proud of Tara [Bohanna]. She’s part of our leadership team and hasn’t played for a little while now, but has managed to hold herself together in a really great way. She’s a bit of a lighthouse for us as a forward, people know where to be and position off her… to see her kick a goal and take some great marks, I’m really happy for her and how she played.”
On Amelia Velardo’s late injury:
“A little ankle tweak there late and we were out of rotations, so Meils stayed out there and got it done. I’m proud of her for that. I haven’t had an update, I’m not sure where she’s at.”
On how the team would balance the win with preparing for a preliminary final:
“Enjoy the moment, they’re some of the best moments you can have after a great win to get you into the prelim. Right now there’s a presentation for Darcy with the Club and the family, we’ll have a meal together and talk about how good we are for one minute before moving on and setting ourselves for Melbourne.”
On the last time the Blues met the Dees:
“We learned a lot from that game, we look forward to having it here at IKON Park: I’m sure it’ll be noisy and I’m sure we’re going to turn up at contest and take it to them as hard as we can. They’re going to have to make sure they’re at the very best when they get here, because I think our team is starting to find some form.
“We took a lot away from that game, we’re really looking forward to it.”
On Ciara Fitzgerald being a late out:
“We took her right to the line to see if she could get there, but unfortunately she couldn’t get through it and we didn’t want to take the risk with such a pivotal player. Hopefully she can push through next week and put herself up for selection.”
On Lily Goss’ final smother:
“There were a few great moments in the game when I was on the bench, it’s a bit of a different look.
“Lily Goss kicking it off the ground to get it into your half, the smother late, Lily Baxter in a three-on-one on the wing, Jess Good and Lauren Bella against the best ruck in the competition, they set themselves for that. There are little moments all the time, the Vescio goal… fantastic.”
