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MATT Priddis says West Coast has learnt a painful lesson about performing on the big stage after a 46-point Grand Final humbling from Hawthorn.

The Eagles defied their critics to make the season-decider, but couldn't convert their opportunities in front of goal and were made to pay by a ruthless Hawks outfit.

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West Coast trailed by 31 points at half-time having kicked 3.8 to 9.3 and, despite having their chances to get back into the game, couldn't put any genuine scoreboard pressure on the Hawthorn powerhouse.

"They're a very experienced side – they were too good for us today. Their ball use, their contested footy and the ability to kick goals was really the difference," Priddis said in the rooms post-match.

"I think it was pretty similar (numbers of) scoring shots. They took their opportunities and we didn't. They got that switch going. We probably couldn't defend it, so we'll learn from this. We'll stay united.

"As much as we were three or four goals behind, it felt like we were still in the game. It was only going to take one or two quick goals and it would turn pretty quick.

"It felt like our run was there, we were still trying to be brave with the footy, but our execution was probably the thing that let us down."

The Hawks dominated possession (436-321) and got their uncontested marking (130-50) game going to slice through West Coast's zone defence.

But Priddis didn't think the wider expanses of the MCG were to blame for the Hawks exposing Adam Simpson's defensive web.

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"We gave them the opportunity to switch the ball. They're a very experienced side, great ball users and I've got a lot of respect for Hawthorn," he said.

The Brownlow medallist was one of many Eagles who couldn't exert his usual impact on the big stage, although he finished with 25 disposals after having just nine to half-time – and described his game as patchy. 

Priddis – who also laid seven tackles and cleared the ball seven times - didn't think the occasion got to Adam Simpson's young side, who made a remarkable rise from ninth last year to finish second on the ladder. 

"We have had a fast rise and we'll learn a lot from this. We're a young group, we're going to get better and stay close and we're hungry."

Despite winning clearances 41-35, the Eagles couldn't get their usual drive going from Nic Naitanui's ruck dominance – with the Hawks proving again their ability to shark the superstar Eagle's taps. 

"Sometimes the more dominant your ruckman is, the harder it can be sometimes," Priddis said.

"They were very good at holding their structures, they've got some experienced bodies in there and it's another learning for us."

Priddis, who was embraced by his wife Ashleigh in the rooms and consoled himself with daughters Nala and Darcy, declared the Eagles would bounce back and weren't satisfied with simply making a Grand Final that few expected.

"Your family are there to ride the highs and lows with you, and in moments like this they can take your mind off it a little bit. Family's the most important thing in your life," he said. 

"We've had a really steep rise this year coming from ninth. I'm so proud of the club, every single player, all the coaching staff. We've really worked hard to get to this point. 

"We're not satisfied. We didn't want to just rock up here today and just hope. We believed we were good enough, but it shows we've got a lot of work to do. So we're excited about that."

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