After last weekend’s loss to Brisbane, Harvey reflected on the loss and it’s impact on the group going forward.

• “We had a strong review after last week’s game, we were really disappointed with our last two and a half quarters.”
• “We’ve made some big strides this year in a lot of ways, we’re just more disappointed. We clearly played a good team but in the end this group prides itself on competing to the wire and we felt like in the second half that dropped off.”
• “We want a response this week, I know the players are proud…we’re looking for a really strong response against another good team at the MCG this Sunday.”

Young midfielder Reef McInnes is in the mix to debut against the Bombers this Sunday.

• “He’s in the squad, Reef, which is great for him. He’s pushing really hard.”
• “We’re lucky enough with our strategy last year to get some really good talent in through the draft.”
• “We’ve been really committed to making them earn their positions to start with…they’ve also been able to get some really good games in.”
• “I think all the Collingwood fans would agree that what they see they would like, and we like as well.”
• “I think they’re doing it the right way these kids.”

When asked about the status of the club at the moment, Harvey spoke to how positive it has been in recent months.

• “The club is going in the right direction. There’s a great future that’s been mapped out. There’s obviously change, there’s change coming and we know that.”
• “I think there’s some real excitement around the place, I think once that change is in place then going forward the club is in good hands.”
• “[I’ve] been here for quite a number of years now and knowing even the older players at this place, they’re as hungry as ever to achieve success. I know the pillars of the staff here are hungry to achieve that success.”

Essendon will play this weekend to make finals for the first time since 2019. A win will mean they guarantee a spot in the top 8.

• “We’ve had a good look [at Essendon] and in the end they’re playing really well, they’ve had a good month.”
• “Their strengths in the game are really clear, their midfield is really strong, we know they’ve got some really good intercepting defenders and we know they have dangerous forwards.”
• “Jake Stringer is in as good form as anyone as a forward…their midfield is as good as any midfield going around.”
• “We’ve got our challenges but we’ve also got some really good attributes to throw at them. What we want to see is that baseline of contest and pressure.”