Senior Coach Brad Scott says Essendon’s inability to capitalise on periods of control ultimately proved costly in Sunday’s defeat to the Giants, despite positive signs from the club’s emerging core.

Scott on… execution in key moments

“We gave ourselves every opportunity to be in the game and to get the job done. We just couldn’t quite execute,” Scott said.

“We gave up a few very soft goals that we were disappointed in, but all in all, you look at 61 entries, you control the game for the most part.

“This game really is about getting the fundamentals to a level where you can compete, but then give yourself the chance to get it done.

“Some of their good players played really well and were probably the difference in the end.”

Scott on… the young Bombers stepping up

“You look at the first centre bounce of the game, you’ve got two, three or four gamers in there as 18-year-olds,” Scott said.

“Not because we’re trying to give them experience against Callaghan and Green and Ash and those guys, it’s because we think they’re capable, and they delivered.”

“When Dyson Sharp got injured, it was a turning point in the game for us, which I can’t recall saying about an 18-year-old in his third or fourth game,” he said.

Sharp suffered a shoulder injury, with scans to determine the extent of the damage.

“There’s probably three options, it’s okay, it’s a four-to-six week thing, or it’s a surgical thing,” Scott said.

Scott on… the mindset of the club’s youth

“I’ve talked a bit to our supporters about the characteristics of the players we want to bring in,” Scott said.

“Not just the capability and the talent, but the characteristics.

“That response from Dyson is the same response Isaac Kako had wanting to know why he can’t play with a stress fracture in his back because he wants to get out there and play.

“That’s just a great sign for our club.”

Scott on… building a sustainable future

“Our supporters come to the footy wanting their team to win, and so do we,” Scott said.

“But we’ve been very clear in the last three years, we want to build our team and bring in the right players.

“We’re impatient like all of our fans are, but we want to make sure we’re building a solid foundation.”

“As a coach, you don’t expect 18-year-olds to be the backbone of your side,” he said.

“But very quickly, they are becoming that.”

Scott on… positives from the ruck combination

“To get Nick Bryan back has been really important for us,” Scott said.

“The fact he wasn’t available at the start of the year forced our hand a little bit to play Peter Wright more in the ruck, and I think it’s been a resounding success.

“We’ve probably got a combination there now that we wouldn’t have planned for two years ago.”