CTV> Paul Medhurst speaks to the media ahead of Friday night's game against his former club
CTV > Paul Medhurst sign's a new two-year deal
CTV> Paul Medhurst speaks to CTV about his new two-year dealCOLLINGWOOD forward Paul Medhurst believes the Magpies can achieve almost anything this finals series, if their past three weeks are anything to go by.
The Pies have returned to the winners' list in a big way, having claimed their past three matches after enduring a three-game losing streak.
And they've done it with a shell of a forward structure, having seen Anthony Rocca, Ben Reid and Dale Thomas go down with injury, while Alan Didak (along with Rhyce and Heath Shaw) has been suspended.
It's this return to form when faced with adversity that has the players believing they're a red-hot chance to continue deep into September.
"I don't think many people gave us a chance against St Kilda, but as the weeks have gone on and we've had wins over three quality sides, our confidence has grown and if we can get a win this week, it goes up again," Medhurst said at the Lexus Centre on Tuesday.
"Anything is possible and Mick is very big on that. We can do something pretty special and we're all pretty excited to try and make that happen."
Medhurst believes the difference in the Magpies in the past three weeks has been the enthusiasm generated by young guns such as Chris Dawes, John McCarthy and John Anthony, who have come in to shoulder the load left by those out injured.
"Early on, it was pretty subdued because you've got quality people who are not going to be out there helping you win a game of footy, and then that quickly turns to optimism when you see guys like Dawes and McCarthy come into the side, and it's exciting again," he said.
"I think they've really lifted the group in terms of spirit, and have turned a situation that was pretty sad for the playing group into a pretty happy one because we've built momentum and come together even more.
"It's been great having the new guys in the team and that's all we can really comment on, because at the end of the day, we've won three in a row and largely on the back of those guys."
Medhurst emphasised the importance of captain Scott Burns' presence in the side, as the veteran faces a race against time this week to overcome a corked calf he sustained in Saturday night's win over the Sydney Swans.
Burns is unlikely to make the trip west, owing to the shortened week and fact the Pies are flying out in just two days' time. However, the players are still hoping their captain will become available.
"It's going to be really important if he can get off his cork," Medhurst said.
"With the young group, he's the one we look to; not only because he's our captain, but because he's our most in-and-under player and that's going to be important against Fremantle.
"He's been important in the last three weeks and he's going to be important again on the weekend."
He also said it would be a positive if Dale Thomas returns from the knee injury that kept him from playing on the weekend, with early signs indicating he might be available.
"He performs in big games, and this week is a big game and our forward line has taken a bit of a whack without Anthony [Rocca] and Alan [Didak] down there," he said.
"If he can get up, it will be great. He's been good this week, and he moved well out on the track in his first run around in awhile.
"I'm not too sure whether he'll get up, but we're certainly hoping he will."
