PATRICK Cripps was quizzed by media at IKON Park on Monday morning.

Following the weekend's loss to the Giants in Sydney, here's what the co-captain had to say.

Cripps on the back half of the season: 

"As a club, we’re frustrated at the moment. We know there’s still a lot of footy left and there’s a lot of footy left to turn it around. I wouldn’t say it’s all gone wrong in one area but we know there’s a lot to improve on and we need to respond next week. One thing I do have a lot of faith in is this group, the character and I know we can respond. 

"The group will come in today, review the game pretty heavily and then we have to make sure we keep each other accountable. Footy is a fun game and we know we’re at our best when we’re having fun, enjoying it and competing so that’s what we’re focusing on. 

"I’ve seen teams turn around quickly. I’ve been in this position before as a group, and I’ve seen how we can play good footy in the back half of the season."

On improving individually and collectively: 

"I think every player will have their individual plans to get better as a player and we’ll do that as a team and then we just have to keep growing. Obviously we want to see growth in the young guys and old guys and we want to see growth as a team. 

"We give effort every week, it’s disappointing that the tackle count was like that... we were still winning the ball but pressure is definitely something we have to keep addressing as a group."

On keeping confidence high: 

"It’s a tricky one. When results don’t go your way, it can be frustrating at times and guys can lose a bit of confidence. We have clear focuses individually and clear focuses as a team and you’ve got to stick together. 

"At training, you’re doing it with purpose and you’re on the edge, when you’re in the change rooms, you’re still doing your weights and stuff but you want to create an environment where everyone enjoys coming in.

"A credit to this group, we do always do that, we’re a close group and we do have a lot of fun. Things aren’t clicking for us at the moment but they will soon."

On Teague and the coaching staff: 

"Clubs are unified, they stick together. 'Teaguey' and the coaching staff are working as hard as the players. They’d be just as frustrated as we are so we’re all in it together and we’ll find a way through together."

On the external review: 

"I think everyone will get feedback, us as leaders as well. When you’re in places like this, it’s easy to point to one person but footy is a collective group and we all take responsibility for where we are at the moment.

"It’s not just on 'Teaguey', it’s on everyone. I want everyone to get some feedback from this review and I think everyone will be open to it and how we can get better. 

"All I know is it’s going to be a thing where a lot of different areas are going to get feedback on how to grow and I think high-performing clubs do that. We want to be a high-performing club and we feel like although it’s hard at the moment, in the long run it’s going to be really beneficial for our group."

On his individual performance:

"At the start of the year I was quite frustrated, but I feel like the last five or six weeks I’ve started to get back to my best.

"My body feels good now and I’ll just keep on focusing on what my strengths are and trying to lead this group as best as I can. One thing I always pride myself on is do the work at training and have a lot of confidence in what I can do on game day.

"I just try and do the best thing I can for the team to help us win. I’ll keep doing that, there’s nine games left of footy, I’m confident for the back half of the year."

On team defence:

"We’re definitely leaking too much as a side and we’ve openly said that.

"We’re working hard to fix that, and it’s not just the back six: it’s a collective defence. The best teams defend as a collective so that’s something we’ll keep trying to fine tune for the next nine games and see some improvement in that area. "