Steph Chiocci on hitting 50 games
"Really excited to be playing 50 games. It's something I've probably been thinking about from the start of the season because there's just so much around it, and it's not a milestone I ever thought I'd get to.
"Pretty proud to be repping the colours again, more so for the people I've been playing with from the start.
"At the one club, it's really special."
On how the competition has developed
"Significant leaps and bounds.
"Very different back in round one, 2017, I think it was more a novelty... it was showcasing women's footy, but we really didn't know what to expect.
"We came from local footy where you'd train, go to the pub and that was pretty much it, to then in an elite environment... just the knowledge of what it takes to be an elite athlete has really increased.
"Young girls play from NAB AusKick to all the way through now, their skills and understanding of the game... they're in the gym - I didn't hit the gym until I was 27!"
Steve Symonds on Chiocci taking the field after missing round six
"A bit of inside information, I think she'll run out for her 50th.
"She's had a really rock-solid season this season, she obviously had a couple of injuries last year and had a really good run this year so we'll enjoy having her back on the park."
Chiocci on playing her 50th at Vic Park
"We played in the very first women’s game there, so to be playing my 50th there is pretty special.
"We've got the mural there now that we run past when we enter the ground, and there's some really inspiring photos that take me back to day one.
"To share that moment with my teammates but also the fans that have been there on the journey is pretty special."
On Collingwood's young guns
"I absolutely love what we're building here.
"You see last week, Eliza James kicking the winning goal on her 19th birthday, you can't script that kind of stuff.
"To see Tarni Brown continue the legacy of the Browns here, and her development over the past few years...
"Chloe Molloy; All Australian, Rising Star, now being in the leadership group...
"Ruby Schleicher was only 18 when she came here and she's still young in her own right and she's vice-captain, so those sorts of players, it's been one heck of a journey with them and I love being a part of it."
Symonds on Chiocci's leadership
"As far as Steph's involvement in the club, she's been voted in by her peers for seven seasons now so that just gives you a good indication about what her peers think of her.
"What she brings to the club from a cultural point of view is outstanding.
"Her impact on the club, and particularly from the initial stages when it first evolved, is huge.
"She's had a huge impact on our program, has been fantastic around the club and is admired by many."
On round seven
"We're under no illusions that this game is going to be another tough game.
"We've had tough games all the way through.
"We're still trying to find our best form, we think our best form is ahead of us, but we believe the last few weeks we've shown some signs of the style of footy we want to play and the way we want to go about things.
"So we're really excited about getting out on Vic Park, our home deck, and executing our game plan and game style and continuing our winning ways."
On short and long-term injuries
"Aishling Sheridan will get tested on Friday, she's tracking really well at the moment so we'll give her a chance of playing.
"We know we've got some pretty short back-to-back weeks coming up as well so we've just got to keep that in mind.
"It's exciting to have Brit and Bri out there, they're doing a bit of ball work and stuff like that which gives everyone a boost, not just the players but everyone within our program, so they're tracking right on path."
Full press conference:
