After Saturday's loss to the Lions, Essendon Assistant Coach Ben Jacobs assessed the defeat from the midfield group and coaching panel’s points of view.

Jacobs acknowledged the ‘steep learning curve’ for the Dons after another frustrating result against experienced opposition but also spoke to the positive signs from its growing list of youngsters.

All the touchpoints from his chat with essendonfc.com.au below.

Jacobs on… assessing the loss 

“You can prep the boys all week but until they see it live, in terms of the threats they compose with how they control the ball, it just took the boys a while to adjust early. 

“It was really hard to put on the pressure we wanted when [the Lions] controlled the ball in the first quarter.

“To our credit, we did get better at that, but it was a steep learning curve in defence for some of the boys.”

Jacobs on… positive takeaways  

“It’s never great with that kind of loss to feel like there’s heaps of positives, but there actually are.

“At times, it was pretty neck and neck for the inside 50s, and I think our midfield was able to take a step forward today.”

“Durham and Merrett and Caldwell, at times, were able to really get after it and take a premiership midfield up to them for the majority of the game.”

Jacobs on… young players’ development 

“It definitely is [exciting]. It’s one where we’ve probably needed them [in the competition] earlier than we’ve wanted to at times.

“Getting some minutes into (Dyson) Sharp and (Sullivan) Robey inside, I think they showed what players they can become.

“Their ability to take in knowledge, understanding what we need, what they do off the ball as much as on the ball.

“Everyone should be excited from what they see physically and performance wise.”

“They’re actually pretty compliant in what structures we’re trying to implement. So, they’re leading the group as much as following.”

Jacobs on… closing out the game 

“We needed to get their uncontested mark game taken away from them.

“We were a bit sloppy in defence, and we were too slow to get up to them early.

“We have our moments in the contest — it was an improvement from last week, but our ability to execute and take the ball from in to out still needs a lot of work.”

Jacobs on… looking ahead to GWS 

“I think we’re a good pressure side if it’s in a contest. So that’s what we need to make it — a contest.

“I think individuals just need to go to work with their game again.

“Secondary is tactics, we need to own our craft as a young side, making sure the standards are high and put on a good show next week.”