His side ran in five first half tries to beat Bay of Plenty 41-10 in a crucial match at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
The win keeps Otago in touch with the top four sides.
From that perspective, McEwan could not have asked for more from his charges. But he is a passionate man and knows his side is capable of much more.
And for most of the first half, the Spirit showed just how dangerous its game plan can be.
''Overall, it was a very pleasing result,'' McEwan said.
''It was not until we got into our shape and started attacking in the middle and shifting the ball to the outside that it really came together for us.
''We played some excellent rugby in that first half ... and we completely dominated.
''But the second half started poorly in terms of our game shape. [Bay of Plenty] definitely put us under a lot more pressure and we were a little less disciplined, I think, and turned over a lot more ball.
''We weren't quite patient enough. What I saw was that we were slower to clear the ball and that allowed their defensive systems to get reset.''
The visitors scored first when hooker Ereti Williams intercepted the ball and ran about 40m before off loading to speedy winger Mystery McLean-Kora, who scored.
After the initial shock of falling behind on the scoreboard, the Spirit began to hold on to the ball and the gaps emerged.
Impressive left winger Kilisitina Moata'ane scored the first of her two tries when she came off her wing following a line out.
First five eighth Michaela Baker had a tidy game and slipped behind some ghost defence to score the Spirit's second.
The home side added another three before the break but the try of the game was as spectacular as it was simple.
Experienced second five eighth Sheree Hume created the space when she doubled around centre Greer Muir and found herself in the open. She dashed 35m before linking up with Moata'ane, who went over in the corner.
Otago went into the break leading 34-5 and returned to produce a fairly lacklustre effort. It lacked patience and coughed up possession too often and too easily.
Its defence mostly held up, although McLean-Kora was able to get across once more. The Bay pulled off a nice scrum move that set up the right winger for a sprint towards the corner.
• Spirit winger Rian Sanerive left the field in the first half with a suspected broken arm.
Otago Spirit v Bay of Plenty
The scores
Otago Spirit 41
Kilisitina Moata'ane 2, Michaela Baker, Sheree Hume, Julia Gorinski, Greer Muir tries; Megan Manson 3 con, pen, Baker con
Bay of Plenty Volcanix 10
Mystery McLean-Kora 2 tries
Halftime: Otago 34-5.
