The Bulldogs did a tremendous job of putting Geelong in the very unfamiliar position of being pressured to the point of being rattled, but didn't use the ball well enough themselves to hurt the Cats in the area that ultimately counts. The scoreboard.
Doggies midfielder Daniel Cross was the top possession winner for the game with 32, and was also equal-top Doggies tackler with six. He said his side wasn't far off the pace, but that the mood was one of an opportunity lost.
"Yeah, for sure. I don't know what to say really. It's really upsetting – we had our chances during the match, and we didn't take them," he told westernbulldogsfc.com.au exclusively.
"They made the most of their opportunities. They're an experienced side, and that's what you've got to do, but we thought that we weren't that far away from winning the game.
"It's not what we were after – we were certainly after the win, and it's really disappointing for the boys."
The Cats cleaned up again at the All-Australian awards on Monday, but the25-year-old said the Doggies midfield stacked up well against them.
"They've got massive depth – if one guy goes out, they've got someone just waiting in the wings to come in.
"That's why they've got seven All-Australians in their side, and I think we matched it pretty well with them tonight."
Cross said the ability of the Cats to maintain their pressure and concentration over an entire game was exceptional.
"It's definitely a constant grind – they're a great four-quarter side.
"They showed that when we played them at down at Skilled Stadium – we were with them for three quarters, but in the fourth quarter they blew us away.
"It was just our missed opportunities going forward.
"But good luck to Geelong. They've had a great season and I wish them all the best."
