Kuwarna Vice Captain Eloise Jones spoke to the media on Wednesday, ahead of this weekend’s Indigenous Round clash against Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) at Unley Oval on Saturday.
The forward reflected on the team’s start to the season, her switch into defence, Indigenous Round, what it’s going to take to beat the Eagles, and more.
Read what she had to say.
As one of the leaders, how's the last couple of weeks been, and how do you keep everyone sort of motivated?
“(It) obviously hasn’t been the start that we wanted, but I think there's really positive signs.
“We played three good quarters against the Swans, (and) probably a good half against Carlton.
“I think for us, it's just putting together four good quarters, which will be the focus this weekend.
“It’s been a challenging start, but we've got nine new players, a new coach, a new system, things like that, so there is a little bit to work through and get right.
“We definitely have had some great passages (of play), and there's good intent there through our group, which is really really positive.
“It's just about putting together four quarters for us now, and that'll be the focus for the weekend.”
Do you feel like there will be some natural teething issues just because of the newness of the coaching side and the group?
“I think so, like I said, (we have) nine new players trying to learn and gel together and work as one, and new staff and new game plans.
“I think we do have to be patient with it in that space, (but) I think everyone's buying in and the intent is there, and the willingness to be really brave and go through the corridor and use our handballs. We've seen some great change in that space.
How have you been finding the move to the backline this year?
“It's been good, It's very different.
“I always respected the defenders, but I found a newfound respect for them. I've always wanted to just play any role where I'm needed, and Ryan came in and just said, ‘Oh, what do you think?’
“Initially, I was probably a little bit hesitant, I only really played as a forward on the wing, but I've really enjoyed it so far. I've got some great leaders in Chelbo (Chelsea Biddell) and Sezzy (Sarah Allan), and they've given me great trust to go up and impact off the ground.
“I’ll just continue to work on my craft and keep getting better.”
What did he (Ryan Davis) see in you that made him make that switch?
“Something good, hopefully.
“When I spoke to him, it was more just the ability to compete in the air and on the ground as well, a bit of tackle pressure up there, which I think I've done alright in that space.
“I've really enjoyed just a bit of freedom, knowing I've got those girls behind me that are pressing, and I kind of leave my player an impact high at the ground.
“Playing as a forward, it has really helped my craft as a defender. Knowing where it's going to come and if I was a forward, where I want to kind of try and position myself there.”
What's indigenous round mean to the group?
“It's a really important Round, and I think as a Club, we've always done a fantastic job in that space, continuing to educate ourselves around Indigenous culture and heritage has been really important.
“The fact we get to celebrate two weeks, one home, one away, and get to wear a really amazing guernsey that Wayne Milera helped design and tells his story, which is really cool to be able to express that in our space as well.
“I know all the girls are really excited, and just continuing to learn and educate each other about Indigenous culture and all other cultures as well has been really really cool.”
With the length of the season, does it (this week) almost become a must-win?
“It’s (the season) a lot shorter in comparison to the men, so I think when you start 0-2, it probably looks a little bit worse than what it would be if you had a longer season.
“But I think for us it's just trusting the process, coming back to just playing the four quarters will go a really long way for us.
“Our contest and our aerial work has been quite good, and I think the big one for us is that West Coast is quite a tall team, and go long down the line, so our ability to press in the air and win on the ground is going to be really important.
“Then just continuing to be brave, come through the corridor, show up for handball receives. I think that'll be my main focus.”
You're fifth at the moment when it comes to inside-50s in the comp, but then 14th when it comes to scoring. You're getting those opportunities on board, but not able to convert. What's going wrong in that forward-50 at the moment?
“In fairness, we're getting it in there, but we're not being very useful for our forwards.
“The depth of our entries were quite shallow, so we're getting it to around the top of the 50 or that 60m (arc), but if you're not 100 per cent on, it’s turnover city, so then they're just coming back straight at you through the corridor.
“We've got some great talent down there, it’s getting it down there, so even as the defenders and mids, we obviously play a role in that.
“Our ability to shift it offline and just continue to enter through different avenues is going to be really important for us, but mainly deeper entries is probably going to be our focus.”
How are you finding the difference between Doc (Matthew Clarke) and Ryan (Davis)?
“They're actually funnily similar in some ways, a little bit different in others, but Ryan has been really great for our program.
“We're a very young team, and he's been great in connecting all the girls. He's high energy, gets involved at training, and he's been really positive, just continuing to pump up our younger girls and instill them with confidence and belief in what they're doing.
“He’s (Ryan) just up and about all the time, and Doc (Clarke) was fantastic in other ways as well.
“He was quite calm and composed, and nothing really rattled that man, to be fair, but I think the injection of that up and about from Ryan has been really beneficial for our young team.”
Kuwarna faces Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) at Unley Oval on Saturday at 2.05pm.
Tickets available here.
