Bombers' assistant coach Mark Harvey, like everyone at Essendon, was disappointed with the finish to season 2001. Harvey was disappointed the club didn't achieve its ultimate goal of back to back flags. In an exclusive 9-part video series starting in the Engine Room tomorrow, Harvey reflects on the 2001 season and looks ahead to the 2002 season. Engine Room members will have the opportunity to find out about his decision to stay at Essendon as an assistant coach, in the process turning his back on the chance to become a senior coach. Harvey also touches on the trade period and the importance of maintaining team morale. Join the Engine Room today and get the inside word from Mark Harvey. 2002 Engine Room membership is now available - you can sign-up online. Membership expires on 29 April 2003 and is only $9.95 for current EFC members and $19.95 for non-members.

Q – Mark you have had some time to reflect on the final result from season 2001 - how disappointed were you in the wash up with what happened?

A – Terribly disappointed knowing how much hard work had gone into the year trying to achieve back to back titles – we were under enormous pressure. I am concerned that the group takes the loss like they should. We have just had success – if we had not had success in the last 20 years I know the players would have taken it really harshly. The coaching staff needs to make sure the players take the loss as if they have never had a premiership in the last 20 years.

Personally, that is the first time as a coach that I have been involved in a losing Grand Final. As a player, in 1990 we lost to Collingwood, I vowed never to go through that again as a player. Now hopefully I won’t go through that again as an assistant coach.

Q – What crossed your mind immediately after the match – was that was an opportunity gone missing or was it Brisbane are a good team.

A – I was not disappointed in the players at all. They gave it whatever they had. What I mean by that is they were basically spent at half time. It was a combination of things – a combination of injuries, a combination of two weeks in the heat, a combination of the home and away series. Every side that we played in 2001, physically and mentally, everything was thrown at us. In the end we were exhausted, not that that is an excuse.

As far as fitness and training goes, in the end everything just took its toll. I guess we knew we were in trouble after half time when we had that six minutes of play in the third quarter and we didn’t convert. So at the end of the day, that last quarter Brisbane could have run away with the game, but to our players credit they stayed in touch. In the end we were beaten by four goals but it doesn’t matter if it is four goals or two points – it is how we redeem ourselves now that is of up most importance.

For the further enquiries about the Engine Room contact engineroomenquiries@essendonfc.com.au.