WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Matthew Boyd believes his side failed to withstand the relentless pressure applied by Hawthorn in Friday night's 51-point qualifying final loss at the MCG.

Speaking at Whitten Oval after Saturday morning's recovery session, Boyd conceded the Bulldogs were unable to match Hawthorn's intensity in close contests and across the ground.

"We didn't cope with that pressure and that's something we have to rectify," he said.

"Their pressure is good and the way they set up their zone and close down the space [makes it difficult].

"You don't have much time to get rid of the ball and pick the right option.

"A lot of the guys had the fumbles, myself included and it wasn't the way you've got to play finals football.

"I don't think we handled the situation too well."

The Bulldogs won two of seven games leading into the qualifying final, but had confirmation with five home-and-away matches to play that their place in the top four was safe and they would meet Hawthorn in the first week.

However, Boyd says the Bulldogs didn't sacrifice the late stages of the season to focus on the final.

"Whatever the media says and whatever people thought, we were really focused week by week," he said.

"We've got a good side and we just have to believe that again … it's all above the shoulders."

The 26-year-old also shared the Friday night-opinion of coach Rodney Eade when considering Hawthorn spearhead Lance Franklin, who kicked eight goals.

"It's hard not to love Buddy," Boyd said.

"I think he's shown against any defender that he'll have his 10 shots at goal."

Next week, the Bulldogs will hope to keep to keep their premiership prospects alive when they face the winner of Saturday night's elimination final between the Sydney Swans and North Melbourne.

"[We] don't have a preferred option [who we play]," Boyd said.