The key talking points from senior coach Luke Beveridge’s weekly press conference.

 

Lachie Hunter

I spoke to him yesterday, as the statement says, and I think Marcus backed it up last night – over the journey Lachie has had a challenge here or there. The thing about Hunts is – every time he turns up to play, he gives his absolute all. In recent times, it has gotten on top of him a little bit. He’s okay but he knows in the immediate future he’s got to work through a few things.

The primary focus for him and us and all our people who support him is to make sure he sets himself up for the future, not just in football but in life. Hopefully whether it’s a month or two months or whatever it may be – hopefully we have him back and he is able to play some footy before the end of the year. It’s a little bit open-ended – he will be okay. I don’t have the concern that he won’t return to the field.

I take my hat off to a large contingent of our playing group that have been through some of this before with some of our other teammates – they understand it. In reality, it puts everyone else under pressure.

12:03

Luke Beveridge | 'I believe he's going to be okay, knowing the person he is'

Hear from Luke Beveridge ahead of the round 6 match against Adelaide at Mars Stadium.

Injuries & Team

He’s not able not able to play (Mitch Hannan) it is a delayed concussion – a week and a half, two weeks after – he started to feel a little bit different. The diagnosis is delayed concussion, and he will need a few more weeks.

Lachie and Riley Garcia are out so we will have at least two changes there. We’ve got a bit to work through at the moment to establish who is going to be in that 22. We are a few down but we will pick a strong side.

Our wing situation has become a bit uncertain. The good thing about that is it creates opportunity for others. We felt Anthony Scott played really well on the wing last week. There are a number of lads that have been training that position. It will create opportunity – Lachie McNeil has played wing-forward.

 

Ballarat

We are winning more over the past couple of years. I think it is a challenge for any team who is coming from interstate to then have to go to Ballarat. Two travels one on the plane and one on the bus. Both our Ballarat games are before the depths of winter. History doesn’t count for a hell of a lot particularly given the way Adelaide are playing.