Andy McGrath has captained Essendon for one match but he’s already seeing how tough it has been for Zach Merrett to lead the struggling Dons

That second-quarter surge from Hawthorn proved decisive, with Sam Mitchell’s men repeatedly punishing Essendon turnovers and slicing through the Bombers’ defensive structure like a hot knife through butter.

McGrath said the match highlighted the inconsistencies that can come with a developing list.

“I think the way we defend the ground is a big part [of it],” he said.

“Obviously tonight they were able to pierce through us. The first quarter, especially, we felt like we stuck them in their back half a little bit.

“With our young list, we’re going to have inconsistencies. We were able to move the ball pretty well, and then we had critical turnovers in really bad spots on the ground, and they were able to bounce back.”

Despite the result, McGrath was quick to praise Merrett’s influence.

“We always knew he was going to be one of our best players tonight,” McGrath said of the six-time best and fairest winner and former captain who requested a trade to Hawthorn in the off-season.

“He’s a super player – he lives for these games.

“He’s a great teammate to have on your side.”

McGrath said he was proud of Merrett, given he continued to lead by example.

Asked about the significance of Merrett’s presence at the club following the turmoil of the past 12 months, McGrath said the Bombers’ focus remained on performing together.

“I think tonight we’re all red and black,” he said.

Scott was full of praise for his former skipper.

“Zach’s game was probably exactly as everyone expected. I think [his situation] impacts everyone. Anyone going through a hard time shows resilience.

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“Professional athletes, regardless of circumstance, have to be able to stand up. It takes a certain type of character to do that, and no one should be surprised about the way Zach played tonight because we know him so well. That’s just what he’s made of.”

McGrath tasted defeat in his first game as Essendon captain – a responsibility he admitted carries extra responsibility.

“It’s a little bit different,” he said.

“You sort of carry a bit more weight, and I guess you lose a little bit harder.

“You wish you could do more for your teammates, and you just want to help, and you want us to be better.”

The Bombers will now turn their attention to responding quickly.

“We’ll review it, we’ll reflect on it,” McGrath said.

“The next 48 hours are always tricky after a loss, but we’ll look at where we can improve and come in Monday ready to go for next week.”

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Mitchell, on the other hand, said he was delighted with the Hawks’ second performance of the season, particularly after being dismantled by the Giants in opening round.

He made special mention of arguably his two best players for the night – Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald – who spent a week in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the news of their arrest in Arizona in November.

“I was really pleased with the lads. Obviously, it’s been a messy week for them on an individual basis,” Mitchell said.

“If we forget what’s actually happened just for a second, you’ve just got two young men who are on the front and back pages of the papers and there’s a lot of weight on them, a lot of self-consciousness about how they’ve gone, [and] a lot of people having their say.

“To be able to perform at a high level with all that around you… I’m proud that they were able to do that.

“You just want to play football and keep getting better, but there are times in the game where there are a lot of eyeballs on you, everyone’s talking about you, and you’re doing press conferences.

“In this game you have to be able to perform in multiple situations. I’m rapt those guys were able to perform at a high level with weeks that were abnormal.”

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