There were mixed feelings in the Bulldogs rooms post match on Saturday afternoon.
For the first two quarters, the Dogs played electrifying football, heading into the main break with a six goal lead and all the momentum, only to have Collingwood kick seven straight goals and take the lead midway through the third term.
Both sides were neck-and-neck for the final quarter but it was the Pies who were ahead when it mattered, running out two-point winners in the Bulldogs' final NAB Challenge match of 2015.
Speaking to westernbulldogs.com.au, Lachie Hunter said that despite the final outcome, there were plenty of positives to take out of the match.
"It wasn’t the result we were after, we dominated the game in the first half, and we really had them where we wanted them,” Hunter said.
"But we let it slip, and there’ll be things we can learn to take into round one.”
Hunter said that the first half demonstrated what the Dogs were capable of when they stick to their structures, and the side will learn from what happened in the second half and take it into the season proper.
Along with running defender Jason Johannisen who racked up 33 touches across half back, Hunter was a standout for the Dogs, his 31 touches, two goal performance the ideal springboard into the new season.
"It’s always good to get your hands on the footy and have some kind of an impact on the game, so I’m happy, as long as I’m there for round one."
A tale of two halves
Lachie Hunter says there are plenty of positives to take from Saturday's NAB Challenge clash.