Lindsay Thomas was one of few positives for North with four goals. Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images
NORTH Melbourne's much-talked about midfield produced one of its worst performances during Brad Scott's reign as coach in last night's 39-point loss to Essendon.
The Roos were widely tipped to be one of the big improvers this season but were smashed around the contested ball in a season-opening reality check from the besieged Bombers.
And it could yet get worse for the Roos with ruckman Todd Goldstein set to undergo scans on a suspected serious shoulder injury that could sideline the big man for weeks if not months.
Scott described the loss as "horrific" and said he was shocked that his hardened ball-winners were obliterated in contested possessions 156 to 109 last night.
CHAPPY IGNITES BOMBERS
"In four or five years I can't recall us being that badly beaten in the contests," Scott said.
"When the opposition is hungrier than you and are more up for the contest and they just smash you around the ball — I can't think of a time ever in my time (as coach) that we have been beaten by almost 50 in contested possessions.
"And that is just so unlike the group we have got."
Aaron Mullett's body language says it all. Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
"I genuinely thought we were up for the contest, but we definitely weren't," he said.
The coach forecast a heavy focus on winning contested possession on the training track ahead of their Round 2 clash against Western Bulldogs next Sunday.
Goldstein will be closely monitored amid fears the top-flight ruckman injured his left shoulder tendon — something that could out him for up to three months, according to sports medicine expert Dr Peter Larkins.
Goldstein rucked manfully using mainly his right arm after hurting his left shoulder in the first quarter.
Scott said he hoped the injury wasn't serious but was adamant back-up big man Dan Carrie was ready to step up if called upon.
"The fact that he played on (is positive)," Scott said.
"There were certainly concerns about his rotator cuff, but we will have to get that scanned, I think it was difficult to tell.
"I wanted confirmation from Goldy himself that he was right to go (keep playing) and he felt he was, so the docs cleared him and Goldy felt he was right.
" Hopefully that means it's not too bad. If it is, Dan Currie is absolutely dying for his opportunity and if he gets his opportunity I expect him to take it."
Scott said he tried without success to clamp down on Bombers captain Jobe Watson, who starred with 39 possessions in the Bombers' rousing win.
Roos' midfielders Jack Ziebell had 12 possessions and Daniel Wells 11.
Scott said it was a "miracle" that the team remained in the hunt on the scoreboard and took a one-point lead momentarily in the second term.
"If there is a positive to come out of tonight for us it's that we were horrific, and yet I felt we were in the game the whole night right up until half way through the last quarter," he said.
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