Overall I was pleased with our general play and field kicking (ignoring the usual suspects) and granted it was the first hit out in the NAB Cup but our forward entries and poor conversion at goal is still an issue.
* 26 inside 50s (to the Dees 12) for only 3 goals (& 9 points). We won the inside 50 count against North as well 24-21 for 6 goals 8 behinds. So all up we kicked 9.17-71 on the night playing indoors at Etihad from 50 inside 50s. Not good enough for professional footballers.
* Too many long balls directed deep into the pockets. Sure it helps to keep the ball inside our forward 50 if none of our forwards can mark it but it is major reason why we are so inefficient in our forward play.
* When the ball was upfield, Jack and one of Edwards/McGuane would play high forward with Vickery staying closer to the goalsquare. As the ball came down they all seemed to squeeze together so we couldn't get a one-out or create an alternative marking target option 35-40m out for our mids to lower their eyes and hit-up.
* Our mids seemed too unselfish at times trying to pass to a forward close to goal when it seemed the better option was to take a running shot themselves.
* Apart from Titch's two goals, our small forwards were ordinary (hello Robbie). Off the top of my head there were at least six times against North where the ball went over the back of the pack and the Tiger player fumbled trying to pick it up.
So while the positives outweighed the negatives on the night there's plenty of homework left for us to do before the season starts.