Rookie AFL coach Rhyce Shaw is sharing the blame for North Melbourne’s dismal loss to Geelong, saying he made as many mistakes as his players did.

Shaw endured the toughest night of his brief senior coaching career on Saturday when the Kangaroos booted just 1.8 (14) – the lowest score in the club’s 95-year VFL/AFL history – in a 55-point shellacking at GMHBA Stadium.

The Roos’ only goal came via a free kick from ruckman Todd Goldstein early in the second term.

North locked in Shaw as their permanent full-time coach a fortnight ago, having been wowed by his performance as caretaker.

Days later, the 37-year-old was given a reminder of just how tough the gig is when the Roos were overpowered by premiers West Coast, although they earned a consolation win over Hawthorn in between their two big losses.

Shaw had plenty of time to pick apart Saturday night’s defeat as he drove back up the freeway from Geelong after the game.

“I made as many mistakes as the players did. I’ll take responsibility from my end, no doubt,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“Let’s just say it was a long drive home from Geelong. I had a lot of thinking time but I reflected on what I did, what we did as a club and how we executed our plans.

“I was disappointed and didn’t get much sleep, I can admit that.

“It was a tough weekend. But that’s the best part about this job … every day breeds opportunity, and we’ve got a great opportunity today to train really well and set ourselves up.”

Having only stepped into coaching at the end of 2015, Shaw has said he would like to have a senior mentor alongside him in the coaches’ box next season.

Axed St Kilda coach Alan Richardson looms as a strong contender for that role but has also been linked to other clubs including Melbourne and GWS.

The Roos host Port Adelaide on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium.