A FRUSTRATED Cam Bernasconi conceded his side’s “poor” decision making and fundamental errors proved costly in the GWS Giants’ heavy defeat at the hands of Essendon. While the Bombers were brilliant and piled on a women’s club history high score of 85, the Giants were beaten around the contest and then turned the ball over in their back half.

The numbers are not pretty reading for Giants fans, with nine of the Bombers’ 13 goals coming from forward half intercepts, while Essendon had 23 more contested possessions and 18 more uncontested possessions in the victory. Furthermore, the Giants still managed 14 scoring shots, but could only manage three goals, going down by 56 points at Manuka Oval, 13.7 (85) to 3.11 (29).

“I just thought we made some really poor decisions and some really poor fundamentals,” Bernasconi said. “I think in the first quarter we started really well and had an opportunity to actually get a really good start and nearly kick away, but just our inability to convert then just opens the door and then we just got beaten in the hunt. From there it got a little bit scrappier and they just fought harder than we did.”

Losing star midfielder Alyce Parker at half-time only made the challenge harder and the Giants’ coach conceded his players were “out-hunted” when down a rotation, and that reflected in the contest stats. When asked about how he could address some of the issues, Bernasconi said it would be a split between the players themselves, and the coaching group with how to improve in the various areas.

“When it comes to the poor fundamentals and decision making, a lot of that is on the player to get to work on it and they will,” he said. “We’ve got a great group that wants to do it, but they’ve just got to be really clear on what they can do around that component.

“Then when it comes to contest as a coaching group we have to look how we coach it better. So the ability to win the stepping game but also our method around it and work rate. As a coaching group we’ll work with the coaches we’ll make sure we find a really clear plan and improve it immediately, and they are a coachable group so I’m confident they’ll respond.”

A rare positive for the Giants was seeing six club debutants don the orange for the first time, including top draft pick Sara Howley (12 disposals, four marks) and injury replacement player Caitlin Fletcher (10 disposals, five marks) both of whom worked hard. While there will be improvement to come, Bernasconi said it was a great learning curve for the players going forward.

“They all had some great moments,” he said. “Playing six in a game as well you’re going to have some nervous energy in there and that probably showed at times as well. “That’s something we’re so excited playing these six new players, but the best thing is they’re going to be so much better for it.

“And playing against a side like Essendon who really brought the fight, means that it’s a great induction for AFLW. They’ll learn, they’ll grow and we’re still really pleased with the players who have come in, they’re going to certainly help us.”

GWS Giants take on reigning wooden spooners Collingwood at Victoria Park next Saturday with both sides hoping to recover from Round 1 defeats.