COACH Paul Roos says last round’s come from behind win over Essendon at the MCG was a “terrific win” and actually much better than he initially realised.

Reflecting on the win in this week’s edition of Dee TV’s Roos’ Views, he said the players performed much better than he first thought when he watched the game live.

“Watching the game again on Monday or Tuesday, we probably played a little bit better than what we thought during the game and in the first half – even though we got beaten 38 to 11 inside 50s,” he said.

“Some stats can be deceiving and they certainly had their chances and their missed goals were the thing that stood out.

“There were probably three or four easy goals from 10 or 15 metres out, which certainly helped us. But after half-time, I thought we were really good. Getting back in the game after being 33 points down was exceptional and then to win the game after [David] Zaharakis put them in front was a real bonus for the players.”

Although some disproportionate statistics came from last round’s results, Roos said he was careful not to be influenced by the copious amount of information provided in today’s game.

“I’ve never been that stats orientated. If you’re a coach, you should be able to watch the game and analyse the game without the stats,” he said.

“Stats can be misleading. There have been quite a few games that have been won this year – Freo do it regularly with less inside 50s. It’s really where the ball goes and how you use the ball. There’s no point in getting the ball and just bombing it in and bombing it in.

“It’s more analysing the stats that count. That’s what you try to do. What are the real main stats that you want to win? You want to win contested ball and you want to limit uncontested ball. Some of the other stats can be pretty irrelevant.”

Roos said Melbourne’s poor recent record against North Melbourne – it hasn’t defeated the Kangaroos since round 20, 2006 at the MCG – wasn’t an issue heading into this Sunday’s clash.

“We don’t really talk about the past in relation to winning and losing against this team or we haven’t beaten this team for ‘x’ amount or two in a row,” he said.

“For us it’s just about getting better each week and it’s a long season – and a long season for young players.

“There’s a lot of things to juggle during the week to get it right … so we just talk about what we want to do against the Kangas and what they do and what we have to stop. They’re a really good team and we have to play really well to beat them.”

Meanwhile, Roos said the honour bestowed on the late, great Jim Stynes – the Jim Stynes Bridge in Docklands – was yet another fitting tribute to a great of the game.

“He was a terrific guy and [I] was honoured to have played with him [in representative football]. He’s done an enormous amount for footy in general. To come from Ireland – I experienced that with Tadhg Kennelly and I don’t think people fully realise what guys like Jimmy Stynes had done,” he said.

“We all acknowledge it, but to come from another sport and win a Brownlow Medal and then to settle in Australia [initially away from his family] and have such a massive impact on our great game – coming from a game that he’d never seen before.

“It’s another great accolade for Jim and I was privileged to play with him and get to meet him and know him.”