GWS captain Phil Davis says he’d play again after controversial late fitness test on grand final day
GWS captain Phil Davis says he had no regrets over his decision to take the field on grand final day despite being soundly beaten by Jack Riewoldt in the Giants’ thumping.
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Phil Davis has opened up on the strain of his agonising grand final fitness test but says he would make the same decision again to play the match.
The GWS Giants captain admits he wrestled with the fear of letting his teammates down whether he played in the match or pulled out, before ultimately electing to put his hand up and declare himself right to go.
Intriguing scenes here at the MCG. Phil Davis looks like he’s being put through a very extensive fitness test. @superfooty @telegraph_sport
— Ben Horne (@BenHorne8) September 28, 2019
It was clear revered defender Davis didn’t have the power he needed in the calf he injured the week before to compete and he was dominated by Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt, who kicked five goals.
With co-captain Callan Ward and vice-captain Stephen Coniglio both injured, the Giants were understandably desperate for Davis — their inspirational leader — to be able to provide a “cool head” in the pressure-cooker of grand final day.
Davis refused to blame his body in the wake of the 89-point humiliation, saying he had no regrets other than wishing he could have done better.
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“No, I was very comfortable. I think the medical staff and the coaching staff handled the whole week very, very well,” Davis said.
“The start of the week didn’t look likely that I’d be there and the medical job did an enormous job to get me out there. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t contribute how I would have liked to.
“(The fitness test in the middle of the MCG) was definitely unique. I think what I’d done a lot during the week was prepare myself for that.
“I’d done things throughout the week that gave me confidence. There was an element of the unknown but I was always very confident I’d play.
“The hardest thing was I knew I had to make a decision in the day at some point that I didn’t want to let my teammates down. Let them down by choosing not to play when I thought I could play or choosing to play when I couldn’t perform.
“I’m very comfortable with the decision I made and I wish I could have led the boys better.”
Giants coach Leon Cameron backed the skipper’s call to play.
“Phil’s mindset was really strong since the game last Saturday and it was always pre-planned that he would have a final hitout 90 minutes before,” he said.
“We didn’t hide it, he was in front of the camera the entire time.
Giants captain Phil Davis undertakes a running session under the watchful eye of Giants fitness staff. Fascinating viewing. He insists he is playing but doesn’t look 100%. https://t.co/aM9U6puEEm pic.twitter.com/AB56R3zhJ0
— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) September 28, 2019
“I backed the captain in. I will continue to back our captain in. He is not the reason why we got beaten by 80 odd points today … we were beaten all over the ground.”
Davis indicated his leadership of such a young team playing in their first grand final was a key consideration. He is yet to get his head around the disappointment of how the match transpired.
“I weighed that all in terms of what I thought I could bring to the team. Making sure we were set up and also having a bit of a calm head out there,” Davis said .
“The more time we’ve had (for it) to sink in, it probably hurts more. Yesterday when I walked off the ground there was an element of disbelief for what had transpired for the 120 minutes and I guess the last 12 to 18 hours being with some family and friends and my teammates, it’s hard to swallow.
“It’s all a bit of a blur and it’s a disappointing blur.”