The emotion we saw from the rooms and everything that went with the week?

It has been a big week, no doubt. I think the players just ran out of steam. I think they have done a tremendous job throughout the course of the week. They have been leading the footy club, I could not be more proud of them, the way they have fronted up and stood up for what they believe in and we were probably asking too much oil we are asking way too much of our playing group. We probably have done for too long. I could not be more proud of the way they lead, the coaching group, and our footy staff. And the way we turned up, stuck together, stayed true to our values that we want to stand for. I think it was tremendous and in a funny way, it galvanised us.

How tough was it to get the players in the mindset to play a game of footy tonight?

Not really, that is what they do. It is one of those things, the footy and the training and the day today gave us a real focus and purpose to get to work. That was important for them, they tried their best, they tried their hearts out but as I said, who knows what the toll of the week was. Training for everybody. It was pretty draining. It had been a big buildup throughout the week, obviously. But I was not sure what we would get from the players, I thought there was extra emotion around Michael Hurley, and I was really pleased we were able to shine a light on him tonight. He is such an import -- important player and person for our club, not only what he does on field but off-field and for him to get the last goal at the end, it was a real credit to our players and supporters and members. It was a nice touch. I just wanted to get back up there, I think the coaches were keen for me to be up there. Coaching from there, it is six of one and half a dozen of the other, depending what you want to get out of the game.

How do you have been treated by the club this week? Do you feel you have been treated poorly?

It has been disappointing. I think I deserve better. That is something, we as a club need to come together, as a whole football club. And we need to stick to a plan, put our heads down, and do the work. There is no other way. There is no other way for this football club to get back to where it wants to be. And we need to do that and need to come together as a club because as I said, I think we are asking too much of our players. Players are leading the club at the moment. We need more.

Can the relationship between you and the club be fixed or is it too far gone?

I love coaching this club, and I love coaching the players. I have so much belief in the playing group and so much belief in my staff and the people that are supporting me. What I saw this week is only given me more confidence in what we are doing, the way we stuck together and came through this week was just outstanding. I thought I knew the people we had on board with the right people, but you don’t really know until you really get stretched and tested and you have to dig a bit deeper than you normally have to. The character that everybody showed was first class, and I could not be more proud of our people.

I am committed to coaching this footy club, that is what I signed up for. I said it yesterday, I did not put my hand up to coach this club because I thought it would be easy, I did because I thought I could make a difference. I signed up and committed to give my services to the Essendon football club and its supporters, its members, and the players. That is what I want to do, I want to see it through. And I make a difference, and I know I take us to where we want to get to. The intention of everyone at this club is a line. There is no doubt about that, we just need to get all on the same page, get a line on what we are doing, put our head down and do the work.

Do you feel like you will get an answer within days or could it drag on?

No, I don’t need an answer.

Have you been given any clarity on how tomorrow will roll out?

.That is all I know, there is a board meeting and I am not involved in it.

Just with the meeting with the players and David, there were some heated conversations from the players towards the leadership of the club, how proud were you that the players had your back?

Extremely. That is what I am talking about, they were honest and stood up for what they believed in. You only have to look back, yesterday or two days ago, Michael Hurley’s press conference, he has been here 14 years and all his craving is stability. To stick to something, put the head down and do the work. He has been here 14 years but, unfortunately, it has been a bumpy ride for him, for various reasons. He now leaves with it bumpy but he is probably speaking on behalf of the whole group.