THERE was plenty discussed in AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss’ press conference leading into Round 5.

As Carlton prepares for a clash with a club where Voss spent eight seasons as an assistant coach, this is what the coach had to say leading into the game against Port Adelaide:

On Patrick Cripps’ prognosis:

"The assessment we’ve had - which has been pretty thorough - is that he should be right to go next week.

"Early on, we were hopeful it was going to be so minor that we might  be able to get him up for this week. There’s no major damage there, so it gives him a chance for next week at least."

On inclusions into the extended squad:

“We’ve got a few boys in that category. We’ve had a number of guys who have been in great form and you do want to reward that. 

It’s fine to have the pressure coming from underneath, but at some stage, they’ve got to get a look when they warrant a look. We want to make sure we continue to push that, and that’s the excellence we’re after in our program. 

“We’ve been clear from the start about where we see our players and what they’re fighting for. The fact there’s 18 positions on the field doesn’t mean there’s 18 spots available for their particular role. 

“We’ve been clear on that, we’ve selected like that and we’ll continue to do that.”

On coming up against Port Adelaide, where he spent eight seasons:

“I’d like to say it’s different, but it doesn’t feel that way at all. 

“When you’re really clear on what we’re able to do, we spend a lot of energy trying to work out what we need to rectify coming into next week. We’re looking for our response and for us to bring greater pressure around the ball, and a greater want to get involved around the contest. 

“We really let ourselves down in that area, and it’s an area Port Adelaide bring very well: they’ve always been a very good pressure team, so we’ll have to be spot on with that.”

On referencing back to the last time the two sides met:

“Nope. No. It’s a simple thing which you’ve heard me say a number of times: it’s a fresh set of eyes. 

“For us, our eyes go on how we want to play our style of football and what the basis is of what we build our game off. From my perspective, when we look at us as a group, it’s about what we do from here. 

“There might be some relevance for some players, but it won’t be referenced during the week.”

On Liam Stocker’s availability:

“We don’t think [he’s far away]. He’s been in some good form. 

“One of the plans with ‘Stock’ was part of coming back — if he was back a bit earlier, we could have trained him for a couple more weeks. We felt like it was worthwhile to throw him out there and build his fitness based on playing. 

“The first couple of weeks have been about that. Clearly, the conversation starts to turn now to when he’s ready and how his performance is going.”

On Adam Saad fasting throughout Ramadan:

“We’re in communication with him. It’s another of those passionate causes that he has: very early on, he shared what he goes through in this next little period of time. 

“He’s well-versed on it, the Club goes through monitoring it daily. He’s a true pro and he manages it well.”

On Marc Pittonet’s inclusion:

“’Pitto’ will come back in, we missed him around the ball. 

“For Tom [De Koning], it’s a learning experience as well — he’ll be our No.1 ruck in years to come, it was a bit of learning for him. ‘Pitto’ has provided us with a lot of drive around the ground.”