Team GWS has suffered a 94-point defeat in its inaugural TAC Cup clash against Northern Knights at Blacktown Olympic Park on Saturday.
With the final score 25.15 (165) to 11.5 (71), high performance coach Alan McConnell said the challenge for him is to remain positive and optimistic and make sure the players see that too.
"As we know young boys judge themselves on whether they win or lose and we might not win too many [in 2010]," he said.
"The difference between our good and bad is too great. That's consistent with how we train."
Still, McConnell said each of his players "had their moments" in the match.
"There were no surprises individually, but I thought Alex Carey played like the overage boy that he is, with poise and control and he gives good direction," he said.
"I'm very grateful we've got him in our environment - it's good for him and equally for us. He adds a level of experience in the group."
Carey, who has come through the AIS-AFL Academy squad and knocked back an offer to join the South Australian Cricket Association, racked up a game-high 34 disposals and kicked two goals.
He will be eager to make an impression after being overlooked in last year's draft period.
Kaine Stevens, from the Australian Capital Territory, was GWS's next best ball-winner with 24 possessions. McConnell also named wingman Jack Dimery, Northern Territorians Jed Anderson and Damian Williams and ACT's Nick Collins among the better players on Saturday.
"Jack sees the game very well and uses the ball by hand and foot pretty well," he said.
"Jed Anderson is a baby at 15 - he is eligible for under-16s - but he is a competitor beyond his size, shape and age at the minute.
"I thought Nick Collins showed a couple of nice things, off a half-forward flank.
"And when Damian Williams gets the ball, good things happen."
McConnell also revealed ruckman Tom Hill, who missed the game, could be sidelined for the entire season. The 18-year-old has battled injuries throughout his junior career, with a knee problem now robbing GWS of a player with TAC Cup experience.
"He's unlikely for the year, although that remains to be seen," McConnell said.
McConnell added that regardless of how many players ended up on GWS's inaugural AFL list, the group would leave a legacy for football in New South Wales and the ACT.
"One would expect in three, four or five years' time that there will be leaders in the Sydney Football League [from this group], so there will be good outcomes at all levels."
Despite the loss, newly-appointed chief executive Dale Holmes said the day was a historic occasion. "Our under-18 team has played its first TAC Cup game and the AIS kids have played against the Swans reserves, and for us both games were important," he said.
"We have the opportunity for up to 20 of the 30 [AIS] kids to either priority-pick them or they could be a zone pick to us.
"So ultimately, the nucleus of our youth-aged kids coming into the club will come out of these two games, so it's important for us and our recruiters to have a look at these kids and launch the GWS brand out there in the TAC Cup program."
Greater Western Sydney 3.0 6.0 8.2 11.5 (71)
Northern Knights 6.4 11.6 17.13 25.15 (165)
GOALS
Greater Western Sydney: Carey 2, Stubbs 2, Anderson, Hartley, Webster, Birch, Mahony, Flagg Murphy
Northern Knights: Barden 6, Veal 3, Maric 3, Morris 3, Dirago 2, Marcon 2, Lincoln 2, Mullins, Riddle Bianchin, Currie
BEST
Greater Western Sydney: Carey, Dimery, Anderson, Collins, Brown, Webster
Northern Knights: Barden, Marcon, Bianchin, Maric, Lincoln, Veal
By Matt Burgan
Details courtesy of AFL Victoria and AFL.com.au
