Burwood took the win 4-1 - extending their unbeaten run in the annual trial to four years - but for Shea, the result is irrelevant thanks to the positive signs which came from Wanderers’ performance.

“We commented on a few things after the game, one of which is how much more advanced we are compared to this time last season,” she said.

“We had a lot of young guys who played very well, and the new additions were also very good.”

Shea highlighted Wanderers’ ability to create attacking opportunities as the main highlight, although she was left to lament the side’s inability to turn said chances into goals.

“We created enough opportunities that I think it could have been 4-all,” she explained.

“Obviously finishing those opportunities is another thing altogether, and something we need to work on a bit.

“We’re still playing old-fashioned hockey in a way. We still try to get the ball up front as quick as we can, and that means we bypass our lines sometimes which increases the risk of turning the ball over.”

Former Souths gun Matt Johnson impressed in his first outing for Wanderers, as did the side’s younger brigade, in particular teen prodigies Bailey Ferguson and Connor Morris.

“Matty (Johnson) was a very valuable addition to our midfield,” Shea said.

“He worked very well with guys like Hayden Dillon and I can see him being very valuable in terms of adding to our attack.

“Bailey Ferguson and Connor Morris did very well. Physically they probably can’t match it with the bigger guys just yet, but in terms of game application they did very, very well.

“They may not be full-time players this year, but they will be valuable additions to the Wanderers unit.”