Bucks spoke to the media on Monday as the Pies look forward to taking on the Lions at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.

Here are the key takeaways from the press conference:

The Pies will play at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. Amid a day full of speculation, it was reported just prior to the press conference that Collingwood will play their match against the Lions in Victoria.

• “It doesn’t effect our preparation.”
• "I don’t think we’re ever going to be surprised about what we’ve been asked to do after the last twelve months.”
• "In the end if it was the GABBA or Marvel or the MCG or out here, it’s a football oval…the battle ground is less relevant to us…  than what happens within it.”

Brisbane have their backs against the wall after a nail-biting defeat to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.

• “They played a really strong brand of footy, and could’ve easily won the game at the end.” 
• “We rate them and have a lot of respect for how Brisbane have carried themselves for a number of years.”
• “We are under no illusions of what we’re going to face."

When asked about Lachie Neale’s performances so far this season, Bucks had nothing but praise for the reigning Brownlow medallist.

• “Neale is a quality player, he doesn’t often put two bad ones together either. It probably shows you how difficult it is as an elite player in the competition to continually back up.”
• “He’s definitely someone who we’ll consider [tagging], but they happen to have a few, like most sides do.”

After a strong performance in the VFL against the Western Bulldogs, and an impressive pre-season, there are a number of Pies players putting pressure on the senior 22.

Levi Greenwood could be an option for Bucks. A player with great experience in locking down some of the competitions best midfielders, Greenwood had a solid hit-out against the Bulldogs in the VFL practice match.

• “Levi has been a good stopper for us in the past, so that’s a consideration for us.”

Chris Mayne and Nathan Murphy have also been prominent in their pre-season performances. Plying their trade across half back and on the wing, both the experienced veteran and the promising youngster will look to book a spot in the senior side sooner rather than later.

• “Mayney’s had a couple of solid weeks…his last couple of weeks have been pretty strong.”

Billy is a big loss but someone else will stand up. Bucks assured the press that despite Jamie ‘Billy’ Elliott facing a lengthy time on the sidelines, strong culture and team focus will allow someone else to step up into his role.

• “We’re about playing your role and being able to cover for people who can’t be there, Jamie’s just another one of those we need to cover for.”
• “Whether it’s another forward role or whether we shuffle the deck chairs a little bit, obviously Billy’s loss will be felt.”

Bucks was asked about how Elliott was feeling since injuring himself against the Blues on Thursday night.

• “He was actually okay, he looked fairly nonplussed on the ground.”
• “Now there’s a lot of work to be done to get back through rehab, and he’s unfortunately experienced at that. You’d love for him to get an even run at it.”
• “Fingers crossed that he has a good recovery and he’s back for the second half of our year.”

Brodie Grundy and Jordan De Goey will be fine to play after missing training on Monday with a sniffle. After a negative COVID-19 test, they will be safe to return to the club.

• “There’s probably  been more lost sessions to runny noses in the last couple of months than we would like. But they’re the extra precautions that we’re taking to make sure we don’t have a repeat of last year.”
• “They’re playing.”

Asked for the 3rd week in a row about De Goey’s midfield and forward play time, Bucks again ensured Pies fans, and those asking the questions, that a pretty equal balance will remain the game plan with Jordy.

De Goey kicked 4 goals in his 100th match for the Pies on Thursday night against the Blues.