THE FIRST emotion that came to Patrick Cripps following the Round 2 win was pride.

Not just for his players, but all involved inside the four walls of the football club who had to pull a little extra weight this week.

With a number of football staff - as well as Adam Cerra and Jack Martin - entering AFL Health and Safety Protocols, it was a bit more of a makeshift game-day structure on Thursday night.

However, what they had to show for it was a 12-point win against last year’s Grand Finalists.

Speaking to Channel 7 post-match, Cripps was quick to spread the love to those who embraced an unusual environment this week.

“We had Jacky Martin and Cerra out with Covid tonight, and ‘Fogs’ came in and was the next man up. The coaching group, Ash Hansen standing in for ‘Vossy’, Dan O’Keefe standing in for Timmy Clarke our midfield coach [plus Torin Baker],” Cripps said.

“What we keep driving is next man up.

“I’m proud of the boys, but I’m proud of the coaches and the whole Club tonight.”

Cripps’ sentiments were echoed by great mate Sam Docherty, who spoke to ABC Grandstand from the rooms.

Detailing what the week looked like internally, Docherty said the focus was “doing our best to keep it as normal as possible”.

“We lost a few soldiers, particularly on the footy staff side. It shows the culture in the group we’ve got here: we’re pretty driven to succeed,” he said.

“One thing that ‘Vossy’ has set up since coming in the door is he has empowered his coaches to take charge of this group.

“Ash did a great job in prepping us. We had two of our development coaches, Dan O’Keefe coaching the midfield and Torin Baker coaching the forwards. We had Kade Simpson on the bench.

“It was a bloody interesting week this week!”