Harvey was pleased to see the team score six goals from the back half but conceded they went into their shell in the second and third quarters and also allowed easy goals to the Dockers at crucial times,which cost the Magpies victory.
But he praised the players for their effort and was heartened at their desire to implement the plan.
“Their intent was really good about what we wanted to do[but] we fell into a few patterns where we couldn’t quite get out of,” Harvey said.
“As we go forward there is real balance we can get in our game ... we want the players to express themselves. I thought in the last quarter the gloves came off and we were a lot bolder and that is what we wanted to see.”
Harvey said he sees his time as senior coach as a nine-week project and he was hopeful the players could improve their game while enjoying the final eight weeks of the season.
The dual Brownlow medallist refused to criticise the dubious free kick paid against Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard when the Magpies had drawn level and had momentum,although he said the 24-year-old was normally very good at running back with the flight of the ball to defend.