GEELONG superstar Patrick Dangerfield says it felt like the players could have given more in an opening quarter onslaught from the Sydney Swans that ultimately decided Friday night's preliminary final.
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A shattered Dangerfield said the 37-point loss at the MCG was "as tough as it gets" after missing out on the chance to play in a Grand Final in his first season with the Cats.
The Brownlow Medal favourite said his team had lost the match in a seven-goal burst from the Swans in the first quarter that left Geelong shell-shocked and unable to respond.
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"It's as tough as it gets. You don't put all that work in through the entire season and lose the way that we did," Dangerfield said.
"It just felt like we could have given more. The game was over in the first quarter.
"You can't win a game in the first quarter, but you can lose one and it's certainly tough to come back from there."
Dangerfield was brave for the Cats, finishing with 39 possessions (21 contested) and nine inside 50s – all career finals-highs for the former Adelaide midfielder.
He also finished with nine clearances, combining with captain Joel Selwood, who won a finals record 26 of his 39 possessions in a contest, to carry Geelong’s midfield.
Unfortunately for the Cats, Dangerfield said, the team was unable to stay composed with the ball under the fierce heat of the Swans' midfielders.
"Everything that happened we'd spoken about," he said.
"It wasn't new to us. It was the ability to execute though. Knowing and doing are two different things and we weren't able to do what we'd planned and spoken about."
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A number of Cats failed to rise to the occasion on Friday night, but Dangerfield said the team would assess where it needed to improve when the emotion of the loss subsided.
He said more midfield support was not a glaring necessity, with improvement needed in all areas of the ground.
"I think when we've played our best footy we've played with a real even contribution from everyone," he said.
"Joel and I spend plenty of time in there and that's why our numbers are higher than the rest of the players that run through there.
"While emotions are running pretty high now, it's something we’ll reflect on over the coming week."
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