A solid start with plenty to build on. 

Speaking following the Round 1 game against North Melbourne, Senior Coach Luke Beveridge was proud of the team's ability to adapt and come together in the absence of some key players. 

Here's what he had to say. 

On responding to the midfield challenge in the second half: 

“It was on a knife’s edge after quarter time.

“They put us under a fair bit of pressure the Kangaroos. I didn’t think we handled their tackling pressure too well and it was something that was an ongoing challenge throughout the course of the night.

“For our midfield brigade and our key pillars up either end in Naughts and Lobby to really stand up in that last quarter and give us some momentum.

“Some of the boys are in different roles. It’s encouraging to come away with the win.”

On ‘getting down and dirty’ around the contest:  

“The blaring thing in the game and we’re not used to such a significant differential in the opposition’s favour.

“At centre bounce we were vulnerable.

"They did some things with their numbers and we didn’t manage what we were doing with our balance around the stoppage. They were definitely on top with that.

“In the end they had 17 marks inside 50 and we only had 12. If you track back over the 17 they took, a lot of them would have probably been hit-up marks in space.

“Even that, those short range turnovers where we’ve kicked it into fingers and it’s gone straight back the other way.

“Credit to them, they were good at the source, at the stoppage and they countered pretty well at times.

“I think both sides squandered some opportunities but, to hold sway in that quarter when there was a lot of fatigue in Round 1 – it’s a good sign for our lads.”

On Libba’s  and Ed’s impact as the game went on:  

“We felt that Libba did lift.

“His first game as official captain of the footy club tonight. We made a big deal of that before the game.

"Just his credentials, his character, who he’s been over his journey.

“In the end, when we needed a bit of a pulse, it felt like he and Ed, Joel Freijah – some of the boys around the ball really helped us get over the line in the end.”

“(Ed) got us going early. There’s no doubt the penetration in his game and whether he’s connecting inside 50 or kicking them himself, and just his speed to get out and create.

“That was important for us.

“They needed some help, though. I think on mass, North Melbourne’s midfield were on top.

“That’s where the sharing of the load, while we’ve got some experience out, that’s not going to mend itself this week. That’s going to continue on.

On the midfield mix and experience for other players: 

“It was promising that Sando was able to stand up. Joel Freijah did his bit, Matt Kennedy did his bit, James Harmes did his bit.

“Rhylee West spent some time around the stoppage and the centre bounce. Josh Dolan even ended up at the stoppage.

“We’re going to need to do that and that’s a good thing when you consider how much fatigue is in these games early on.

“Especially when you’re playing some kids for the first time, they’re going to struggle to last the four quarters.

"Unfortunately, we couldn’t bring Arty for one of the younger guys who was fatiguing.

“We made our way through it.”

On injuries to Luke Cleary and James O’Donnell:

 “Luke has headed off to hospital.

“I can’t give you much other than he will be in concussion protocols for a little while.

“ASAP we’ll let you know what’s happening with Luke.”

“James (O’Donnell) is the same. He may have a fracture in his jaw and he’s headed off for an x-ray.

"We’ll let you know as soon as possible on that one.”

On Rory Lobb’s defensive work:  

“We really needed him to stay the course after we lost James and play on Nick Larkey a bit more.

“In that way, we sort of lose that intercept game of his.

“He probably learned a bit from tonight as well. Getting late to some of those contests – sometimes fists are going to be better than intercept marks.

“He hasn’t been there long but, he was pretty critical for us there tonight.”