What did you get out of that today?
It was our first hit out and from our end we exposed Andrew Brayshaw. He played his first game for the club and we let him run in the midfield, I thought he worked his way into it. (Stefan) Giro and (Bailey) Banfield, two younger guys, it was good to expose them, they might get more exposure. We've got (Adam) Cerra, who played at Peel, I’d like to see how they went. There is a few more of that type, and our senior players had a run.

I thought a few of them looked in pretty good nick, like (Nat) Fyfe in particular, he really blossomed and led well. Aaron Sandilands, when he was on looked good. (David) Mundy when he was moved from mid to forward was fine and Alex Pearce has returned. You can see how important he is. They jumped us early, the defence were just trying to gel together. We struggled a little bit early and we fought back in. The second quarter we sort of fell into a hole on the ball and they went in and they scored quite easily.

What we’ve been working on is our contest, our pressure, to get the ball and have entries and penetrate, those things we displayed quite well, marks inside 50s goal. So that was really good.

Just at the end, we know it was the game save situation, but we just wanted to leave a big space between the leadership on the ground and up in the (coaches') box. We just let it unfold, they did bits and pieces right but a couple of creaks, like the one up the middle, they should have done better. But we let that unfold, so we get some really good lessons out of that and obviously the Crows did some things well, they went up the middle and they scored that goal. And on the kick on return they went back and they scored and even on the next centre bounce.

There were some things we could have driven harder, but it was still a really good learning opportunity. We’ll just show those clips and walk through them and learn from them.

We’re trying to leave a bigger space between the box and the ground for that on field leadership and that new rule with the runner only going on after goals contributes to that as well. So if that was to stay in, it just means that on field leadership has to be stronger and stronger.

Overall, I thought Strathalbyn, the ground was in magnificent condition. It was an inviting atmosphere and we were really pleased with the environment, the rooms were clean and big. We were really pleased with what we found here when we’re bringing the game to the people so that was pleasing. 

As early as it is, do you feel your gain a lot from that one or there still a bit of a journey?
We’ve got a fair way to go, we acknowledge that. I think the Crows had probably four or five of their best out. You can name them better than me, but I think (Taylor) Walker’s handy, Talia’s handy, Eddie Betts is obviously a superstar and one of the Crouch brothers. Do they have a couple more out, I’m not too sure? Seedsman, he’s handy.

But for us, we understand we’re transitioning. There’s a few guys for us, Stephen Hill and (Joel) Hamling, Cerra. But it really is about us, we want to play a more competitive brand, we felt in the contest we were better, we’ve been more stagnant in the last couple of years.

It wasn’t perfect. Thirteen marks in the inside fifty is a good number. There was a lot to like for us and take away and lots of learning. I think if you drill in with our knowledge, bar that second quarter, there was a lot to like.

We had a few players, some of our very best players that were right on, Bradley Hill and Nat Fyfe. But it was such a narrow ground, it was 109 metres I think, where as Subiaco and Geelong are 118 and 120, incredibly narrow. So 109, which is good, it made it a really contested game. It shows, we were a bit fumbly and a few broken tackles. There was a bit to like for us I think.

Just a question about hitting the scoreboard and how you think you’re getting there?
One swallow doesn’t make the summer. I thought (Matt) Taberner looked good and (Brandon) Matera. It was a step forward. There was a bit we could do and take away. But we hope our lads go away and feel a bit better about themselves.

What did you make of Matera’s first game?
I thought he was hard, in the second half he looked dangerous, once we played better. He will be good for us, I’ve got no doubt about that.

How was Nathan Wilson across half back?
I think he was solid. We had Connor Blakely down there. Saw Luke Ryan's kicking skills. Alex Pearce is back. (Brennan) Cox went back. Sutcliffe got knocked out early. So there is a bit to like. 

How is Sutcliffe? Is he just a bit of concussion there?
I think it was blurred vision. They tapped him out. I’m not sure if I have the medical exact there, we’ll update you but we looked after him.

Was that the only injury?
As far as I know. There’s a bit of tightness for everyone’s first game. The ground was soft, but it (the lack of injuries) was really pleasing.

How do you feel about having one runner?
The one runner’s fine. It’s probably access to the ground is more limited but you work around. You understand, we’re playing around the edges and things and just trying to help the game.

What expectations do you have for Andrew Brayshaw this year?
That’s a big question. The expectation is that he brings his best effort and prepares well and gives himself the best chance. That’s what we ask of everyone. Once you walk though the door your draft pick’s irrelevant. History tells you great players come from rookies and early picks and there’s plenty of failures that are early picks and rookies. It’s irrelevant once you get into the system and game day is the ultimate test, to prepare well and give yourself your best chance. That’s what we’re all trying to do.

Will Joel Hamling and Stephen Hill be right for the West Coast game?
We play West Coast two weeks in a row so we’ll have to work through that. Griffin Logue played in the twos (for Peel), he’s a tall defender. We’ll get back and assess that.