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Video: Brad McKenzie interview
DESPITE a win on the scoreboard, North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has declared he will investigate how his team was soundly beaten in contested possessions during its clash with an undermanned Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
North lost the hard-ball count 133-101 to a Bulldogs side that was without hardnut ball-winners Matthew Boyd and Daniel Cross.
"When you get beaten as badly as we did in contested possession, it's always a concern," Scott said post-match.
"We've got to have a look at why that was … when you lose contested possession by 30, you generally lose the game.
"The positive out of that is, we were able to defend well enough and actually take our opportunities when we went forward most of the time.
"[But] that discrepancy is a concern."
A perplexed Scott pointed out that his side was without the likes of skipper Andrew Swallow, Brent Harvey and Daniel Wells in the first half. But he also acknowledged the Bulldogs' omissions.
Meanwhile, Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney was proud of the efforts of his young side - believed to be the youngest fielded by the Dogs in many seasons.
Asked if the hard-ball statistic suggested the Bulldogs boasted an abundance of inside players, McCartney said: "I hope so. I like that type of player. It fits our philosophy. Then we have to add that crisp method away from the contest. We gave the ball back a bit today ... but it's a good starting point.
"They've got good hearts, our young people, and I think our supporters are going to appreciate them over the years. They'll have areas in their game they're always trying to get better at, but they'll be competitive people. We like that."
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Video: Brad McKenzie interview
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