SS: We did speak to you just after you were announced as the new coach of the Wests Tigers, from that point on what was your first impression on the players, the playing group & everyone else involved at the Wests Tigers?
MP: The place that you work at, is a place that's real positive & all the players were real optimistic about the up coming season. You could sense they wanted to work hard to make up for lost time I suppose & that was the case of them working really really hard & I'm pleased with how they've trained & it wasn't a bad little first hit out.
SS: So you were happy with last night? Parra only put 4 points on you, Were you at full strength & they at full strength?
MP: As far as I know, I wasn't taking too much notice of what Parra were doing & was just concentrating on us but we put out our strongest team at the start, we had a couple of injuries as you do right through the year so obviously those blokes didn't play.
SS: Braith Anasta, you would of been happy with his performance moving from the Roosters?
MP: He was excellent, he played in the back row & I think one off his first touch's he scored a try. That side of the field looks solid defensively, he looked very comfortable.
SS: Did he play on the left hand side Mick?
MP: Yes he was.
SS: That's where he was, when he had success at the Roosters in 2010 playing in the back row.
SS: You made a interesting comment there, they felt like the playing group wanted to make up for lost time. Was there a feeling they definitely under achieved given the talent that was there. There's player's there that are getting a little bit older in Benji Marshall & Robbie Farah in particular, if they want to win another competition they will have to do it very shortly?
MP: Not in so many words they didn't say all that but you can sense in what they are doing in training, they were disappointed in their last season. I think there was only one or two points in one or two of their loses that would of made a world of difference. that's how brutal the game is some times.
SS: Jacob Miller at halfback, that was such a problem area for the Wests Tigers last year with them using a number of players there including Jacob. He did have an excellent finish to the Toyota Cup winning that competition with the Wests Tigers, Has he done enough in that trial last night to suggest he will be there come round 1?
MP: At the moment he's done enough, I'm pleased with what he done last night. He'll play 7 in the next trial & I'll see how he goes there in another big test against the Roosters & I'm sure they will be throwing everything at him.
SS: You play a trial next weekend & then a couple of weeks to freshen up before the start of the season?
MP: Yeah that will be a weekend off for the guys & then were into against Newcastle on Monday.
SS: Can I ask, 41 which means there was a field goal in there, we found out Jacob Miller kicked the field goal, what was that all about Mick?
MP: It was virtual the ref calling last play, the hooter had gone & the ball was still in play, he was 25 meters in front of the post & he said I'll just drop a field goal.
SS: Let's get away from the footy itself & unfortunately we have got to talk about it with all the gloom being cast over Australian sport at the moment in the last 10 - 12 days following the ACC report announcement. How did that impact directly on you guys? I know Benji came out & was very strong in saying what he did. Are you aware fully of what supplements the players take? Are you more conscious of it now? What impact has it had on the Wests Tigers?
MP: Yes I am aware & yeah I'm more aware after this announcement but It doesn't impact on us at all now on the field or at training because everyone's doing the right thing. I think it probably impacts more on upstairs as far as It's tarnished the game, It's tarnished the clubs, just the announcement I think has been very poorly handled.
SS: What has Mick Potter brought to the tiger's?
MP: That's a difficult one, just myself I suppose, I'd like to have some set discipline & I don't deviate, I don't compromise with things. If players can't do things, I give them the opportunity to achieve it & if they can't that's just the way it is. I encourage everyone to do there best & at the moment that's what there doing, It's nothing complicated, it's a simple environment to work & work hard.
SS: Benji Marshall is obviously going to be key in many ways, I personally thought he had a disappointing season last year & that might be a function of moving around a lot, playing halfback & 5/8\. It seems based on the report that I read last night, he had four try assists for you guys playing at 6\. Is that were he's most comfortable, is that were your most comfortable in playing Benji Marshall in season 2013?
MP: Benji wants to play 6, he wants to play that support role & he's very good at it all though he can play 7, I don't think he has to much trouble doing that either cause he does talk immensely out on the field. He's going to play 6 & there will be someone else playing 7.
SS: Timmy Moltzen was playing fullback?
MP: He play fullback for the majority of the game & then Tedesco came on afterwards & then he played 6 for a little bit when Benji came off.
SS: We have got to let people know you have a big day today at Concord & Campbelltown today, you have junior registration day with players going to be there. It's 11 - 2 at Concord & 12- 3 at Campbelltown, Where will you be at?
MP: That's right, I'll be at Concord.
SS: If anyone wants to get out there & say hello to Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter they can do so. Some of the players at Concord are Robbie Farah, Timmy Moltzen & Braith Anasta. Then some of the players attending Campbelltown are Benji Marshall, James Tedesco, Chris Lawrence & big Keithy Galloway.
