THERE'S no question this Sunday's clash against Geelong at the MCG will be a great challenge for us and we're really looking forward to it.
It's been well documented we've got several key injuries at the moment – including our captain David Neitz, Russell Robertson and Brock McLean – but every team has their injuries and overcoming their absence will be a great test for our team.
It was almost a year ago when the odds we also stacked against us. We entered round four at 3-0 and were facing Sydney, then the reigning premiers, on its home turf at the SCG. We knew it was going to be a massive challenge.
During that match, we lost Brock McLean in the warm-up, David Neitz at quarter-time and then Paul Johnson smashed his shoulder, which ultimately ended his season, so we had just one fit player on the bench.
To overcome the Swans by five points after battling adversity showed tremendous spirit and we want to show that character again this weekend against Geelong.
Interestingly, when we played Geelong in round six last year, we also had several key players missing, including "Neita". It was a Friday night match and I was fortunate enough to captain the side. We got over the line in a fighting win.
We don't know what's going to happen this weekend, but we want to unleash the shackles, stop worrying and stop thinking about things too much. We've got to get out there and relish the challenge of having a few players out of the side.
With "Neita" and Brock sidelined, it's up to the other members of the leadership group – me, James McDonald and Cameron Bruce – to show the way. We really have to lead the way and we want our teammates putting their hands up to help get our first win of the season.
I'd also like to touch on Adem Yze's consecutive matches streak ending.
"Ooze" was sick of the media saga. It was probably playing on him as well as the club, but he never worried about the record whatsoever – "Ooze" is not a selfish guy.
He's not into breaking records. He's all about the team. It was quite annoying to read that "Ooze" just wanted to break Jimmy Stynes' record, which simply wasn't true. Adem is a great player and he showed that with 30-plus touches for Sandringham last weekend.
If he gets selected this week, I'm sure we'll see the "Ooze" of old very soon. We want him back playing the exciting football we know he is capable of achieving.
The debate over whether he should play up forward or return as a rebounding half-back is an interesting one. He's in a similar situation to the one I found myself in during my first couple of years.
When the team is going well and you're playing up forward, it's a great place to play on the ground. But when the ball is struggling to get down to the forward line, then things are tough.
In round one, we only delivered the ball inside 50 on 33 occasions. A player like "Ooze," who is an opportunist, needs the ball coming into the forward line on a regular basis.
It can be tough playing as a small forward – Aaron Davey is finding that at the moment. We've just got to get those players into the game.
When I came to the club, "Ooze" was fantastic around the midfield, and he could change the course of matches. He can turn a match from half-back, but he can also kick goals up forward, so I'm sure Neale Daniher will want him back to his best.
I'm pretty sure "Ooze" will return up forward and be a key contributor.
