AFL SENIOR Coach Michael Voss was thrilled with the application of his side as it ended pre-season on a winning note, emerging from Marvel Stadium with a five-point win over Melbourne. 

Kicking out to a big lead before holding on against the reigning premier, Voss said the ability to come away with a win while gaining some key knowledge prior to Round 1's commencement in a fortnight was exactly what the Blues had been looking for. 

He also reserved some praise for the likes of Matthew Kennedy and Mitch McGovern, who capped off their strong summers with fine individual performances in the final dress rehearsal before the traditional Thursday night clash against Richmond on 17 March.

Here's what Voss had to say: for his full comments, watch the video in the player below.

On finishing pre-season on the right note: 

"To be able to finish that way with our pre-season, it’s been a really strong pre-season. From day dot, players have really applied themselves, come back in good condition and had an all-in attitude. 

"That’s given us the ability to go about putting a different game model in place and the players have been able to show some really good early signs. 

GAME CENTRE All the action from the AAMI Community Series win

"To play against a quality opposition is always the test. To be able to finish the game and finish in front is a little small win that you take along the way."

On the display of pressure over four quarters:

"It’s always a focus when you come into every game. When you get your hands on it first, it helps you win the territory battle and will put any opposition to the sword when it comes to playing the game in your half. That’s what it enabled us to do. 

"We won some critical contests [in the middle] and some of the forward pressure we were able to bring on the back of it was really impressive. It’s been a big focus of ours this pre-season. You’re never too sure how it’s going to stack up against opposition until you start to play against them. We had some real challenges late with players going out and players going in, but I’ve been really impressed with the way they applied themselves and there have been some really important players when it comes to that."

On the showings of a small forward trio: 

"Seeing their progression across the pre-season has been fantastic. You want to see that internal growth from your players. Matty has been really impressive, ‘Fish’ has had a full pre-season which has really set him up well. Durdin is another one who’s been able to do that. 

"There are a few others that are waiting for their opportunity to do the same. I’m sure each unit will build their own little brand as a group and the forwards have certainly taken on that pressure component and are embracing it."

On Mitch McGovern’s defensive performance:

"He did [look comfortable]. He sees the game really well from behind the ball. We’ve got the benefit of being able to have some evidence across pre-season. He has taken on that role and really embraced that role: he wants to play there and play an important role within our team. 

"Most teams are looking for that intercept type that can come off and mark the ball, and he certainly provides some stability in the air and uses the ball very well. He’ll complement that back six."

On Matthew Kennedy’s impact:

"He was really impressive. To be able to mark it the way that he did as well was really good. His ability to play in transition is something he has really grown in his game.

"We know he has been a contested bull and he brings that, but what he’s really gone to work on is playing both sides of the ball. It has set him up really well.

"He had a really good night tonight. There’s a group in there that’s trying to form a really strong nucleus about the way they go about things, and he’s certainly been one of those guys."

On the half-time changes: 

"Corey got a knock in the calf, so we weren’t prepared to push that any further than what we did… Jack got a bit banged up with his shoulder, so we took the same approach. Harry was always planned to play modified minutes in his game. 

"This is the last game that we’ve got, you don’t want to take any risks so we took the more conservative approach. That meant we had to use the full bench and we were pretty stretched."

On a makeshift forward line in the second half:

"The forward line looked highly unusual towards the end, with ‘Plow’ and Parks and the like folding through there. There was no whinging and no complaining, they just got on with it — they did the job. 

"‘Plow’ played four quarters this morning and we grabbed him out of the stands to finish off for us. He was able to do that, and to be able to do that was a pretty huge effort."

On the combination of the midfield mix: 

"It’s a testament to the work they’ve put in with each other. The amount of work they’ve put in pre-season, at training and after training, to try and form that relationship has been really important. Last week, there were really good early signs of them being able to work really well together. 

When you see that relationship against another opposition, the premiers with a fair on-ball brigade, is really pleasing. We are well and truly far from the finished product, but we walk away quite pleased with what we saw. We’ll get to work and get ourselves ready for Round 1."