Is the loss demoralising Ross?
I think there is a disappointment. We got three quarters right, for whatever ever reason the first quarter was really poor and they were really good and at the end of the day you’ve go to take your opportunities. One poor quarter, which they had as well which was the first, we turned it around but didn’t take our opportunities. I think demoralising is a bit strong, we did a lot right, we’ve learnt some lessons but we will go forward.

Did you have a word to Chris Mayne at the end of the game, he looked a bit shattered?
No, not really.

Where did you think Essendon got in front in the third quarter? They seemed to get a bit of run when Fletcher went off?
Yeah I think that probably really impacted (when Colyer came on), there’s no doubt about that. I don’t think it’s a really complicated game, they started winning the ball and turning around the contested ball and spread really well. That was the basics of it, they won the ball and spread. They missed some opportunities early but they turned it around. There were a lot of indicators, they had more entries, more clearances, more marks inside 50, more shots, so you need to take your opportunities, and you can’t lapse and we lapsed.

How did McPharlin pull up and what do you make of the hit?
I haven’t spoken to him, and I didn’t see it.

On the forward line Ross, Matthew Pavlich didn’t make an impact. What do you make of that?
I haven’t had a chance to assess, I don’t think he was at his best tonight.

Was there an injury concern there (with Pavlich)?
Not that I am aware of.

Was his limited pre-season going to leave him a little short?
He did a lot of running and a lot of work, I think you can be a bit dismissive of his opponents. I don’t think it’s paying due respect to Essendon and how well they played. I’m sure Matthew wouldn’t be making any excuses, he’s human he’s not going to be at his best every night but he’ll work through it.

You won the clearances 60 -37 - in your eyes why did that not translate into a win?
I’m not sure yet. I feel like I said the difference has been a lapse in the intensity of run and spread in the third. We didn’t defend that well in the third as a back six and then we didn’t take our opportunities. I thought we did a lot right.

As a coach watching the final ten minutes, can you take us through your emotions?
I was up and about a bit, saw the missed opportunities, threw the phone like usual but understand that the playing group have worked really hard and they let a golden opportunity slip. So we need to learn our lessons. The players are hurting and I’m hurting and we are in it together.

Other than Luke McPharlin, are there any other injury concerns?
Not that I am aware of. We are pretty healthy. We lick our wounds, we are not thrilled. All credit to the victor, they persisted and won, we were right in it. There was a lot to like and a fair bit to learn from and obviously bitter disappointment.

In the past when Pavlich was blanketed in the forward line, he was moved into the midfield… is that an option anymore?
I think he has paid his dues for this club. He is a power forward and an exceptional one and that’s where we will keep him.