Sydney coach Dean Cox has admitted the Swans will take time to learn his new system since taking the reins from John Longmire in the start of pre-season.
In his first official game as senior coach, Cox's Swans fell short by 20 points on Friday night, unable to complete the comeback from a third-quarter surge that reduced the margin to less than a goal.
With three notable players (Errol Gulden, Callum Mills and Logan McDonald) sidelined due to injury, a younger and reshuffled line-up took to the SCG stage.
Tom McCartin's forward trial was initiated and resulted in a one goal return, while club debutant Ben Paton held his own after losing a couple early one-on-ones. 19-year-old Tom Hanily made his debut as the sub and provided a bit of spark with a crunching tackle on Jai Newcombe, however it was too little too late to overcome a hungry Hawks outfit.
Cox has spoken regularly during the pre-season on his intent to drive a larger focus on defensive effort, hoping to hold Sydney in good stead in the long-run.
With a new defensive gameplan and new players introduced to the team, Cox conceded that there were "clunky" moments throughout the match, but also saw positive phases throughout.
"It will take a little bit of time. It'll be clunky," Cox said.
"For parts of it, we were really good - we forced them long down the line and to stop their uncontested mark chains, and then for parts of it, we let ourselves down again.
"That's the cohesion that we need between all lines. We need to make sure that we all know we defend as an 18-man unit. That's really important. The best teams do it.
"We've done it for a long period of time as well, and really restricted scores. We've got to continually improve."
Cox said that he would endure the teething process as senior coach as well, as he adapts to the greater responsibility the role has over his previous assistant coaching position.
"(Senior coaching) is a little bit different. I think you can always have decisions that you can throw up, but you actually have to action them now," Cox said.
"And then on top of that, it's always about the collective of your message. Previously it was specifically to a line or a group of players. Now it's to the whole team.
"We had two practice games, this is my first official game, so no doubt I've got some things wrong. We'll have a look at that.
"We review not only the way that the players play, but what we do as well. We want to make sure that we're giving them the best chance possible."
Sydney have a tough task to respond from their Opening Round defeat with a grand final rematch scheduled for Round 1 at the SCG next Saturday.
