The Eagles took a young side to a place where terrible things have been done to more accomplished teams and Embley was delighted with the effort that saw just four points in it at half time.
“Our future was on show and I really thought the kids stood up,” Embley said.
“We’ll take a lot out of that game. Geelong are the benchmark of the competition, we know that they’re a terrific football club and I was just really proud of the way the guys went about it today.
“I know that it’s been an extremely tough year, but I’m so optimistic about where we’re heading as a footy club. We were a pretty young side out there today and I was just really proud of the way the guys took the game on; they were brave with their disposal and everyone was playing on a quality player, but when it was our turn to attack we did.
“The last thing you want to do as a young group is go into your shells and I thought we were brave today.
“Hopefully it’s a building block for next year.”
Embley is looking forward to hitting the training track over summer as his young team works to improve, but the premiership player and Norm Smith medallist admitted the next month would be tough.
“I’ve been playing for 12 years and I’ve had my fair share of playing finals and I do miss it,” he said.
“It’s been a pretty tough three years. But I’ll sit down and watch the finals and I’ll envy every single one of those players who are playing.
“Hopefully before my career is done I can get back there.”
