WHEN we traveled to the Gabba for our round 13 clash against the Brisbane Lions, we entered the clash pretty pumped and with high hopes. 

But unfortunately when we went out on the ground, the Lions hit the pack harder and we weren't accountable for our opponent.

We came away from that match really disappointed and everyone was shattered, particularly as it was our third loss poor in a row.

Arriving back in Melbourne, our week on the track was tough.

We had a talk on Monday at the Junction Oval and realised our intensity needed to increase significantly. We trained in the morning, had some meetings and then Dean Bailey made us go swimming at Kerferd Rd, Port Melbourne. 

It was a long swim in the bay. We had to swim back and forth a couple of times, about 150-metre swims on each occasion.

We then headed back to the Junction Oval and had a review of the game. After that, Dean made us go back to Kerferd Rd and repeat the swim again. I don't think anyone saw that coming.

After coming back to the club, we thought Dean might make us head down for a third time, but it didn't happen.

On Tuesday we had training. It's normally a light session, but this time it was a solid run.

We competed in one-on-one drills and did a lot of ball movement work, because we want to move it quicker.

'Bails' then made us raise our arms out to the side, for about 10 minutes, and we weren't allowed to drop them. We were touching hands in a circle, so we wouldn't drop them.

After we were allowed to drop them, 'Bails' then said: 'Put them up for another minute'.

So we put them up – expecting it to be a minute – but it turned out to be about 15 minutes. We ended up linking arms, so we wouldn't drop them – and no one did. It was all about helping each other and Dean was pretty impressed by our teamwork.

During this exercise, the rain was coming down and by the end of it, we were singing 'It's a Grand Old Flag', so that was a good moment.

We had another solid session on Wednesday, but it was the next day that rocked us.

It was on the Thursday morning – an hour before the 1pm media conference – that was found out about Jim Stynes' battle with cancer.

We were called into a meeting at the MCG and that's when Jim told us. I was pretty naïve to it all, as I hadn't seen or heard any media that day. We knew it had something to do with his health, but we weren't sure what. 

The news then came as a massive shock to all, because we see Jim as a fit, vibrant, healthy man.

I couldn't believe it.

And although our week on the track had given us more than enough motivation for our clash against West Coast, there was no doubt that had gone to another level after hearing Jim's news.

We really wanted to play well for Jim – not just against West Coast, but ongoing.

Jim gives so much to the club and we wanted to give the same effort he always does.

On Friday, we trained in the morning and then Dean took us to George Cinemas in Fitzroy St and we watched a movie called 'Rudy' (a story about Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger who dreams of playing football for Notre Dame, despite significant obsticles).

A lot of us hadn't heard of it, but it was a great movie and it got everyone pumped.

On Saturday, it was game-day. Our motivation was significant for several reasons; our intensity and pressure a key focus. As a result, we defeated West Coast and won our second match for the season.

It capped off one incredible week.