Bulldogs Coach Luke Beveridge said his side wouldn’t dwell long on Saturday’s away loss to the Sydney Swans.
Beveridge paid credit to the Lions, but said his men would move on quickly from the performance.
After Geelong defeated Adelaide earlier in the afternoon, the Bulldogs could not be budged from sixth.
Beveridge said he would not use that as an excuse for a slight lack of intensity.
"The Lions brought a hunger today that we've had all year that we didn't really show," he said.
"Across the board, it was just left to too few.
"We'll need to move on pretty quick because we've got an important final this week.
"We'll be looking to steel up all our parts and get that cohesion back we've had for most of the year.
"It wasn't our best today, but the Lions really brought theirs."
Beveridge said jumping from 14th in 2014 to sixth this year was an "enormous effort".
Despite defeating Adelaide by 57 points in round four, he said the Bulldogs would have their hands full next weekend.
"We had a pretty good performance against them in the early part of the year but things have changed and it's going to be an enormous challenge to play against them," he said.
A corked hip to forward Stewart Crameri is the Bulldogs only injury concern to come from Saturday’s clash ahead of next weekend's elimination final
Crameri collided with young Lions defender Harris Andrews in an aerial marking contest and landed heavily.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge indicated Crameri would be monitored through the week.
"Seems like he's OK with the jarring, but he's got a decent cork, so we'll see how that comes up," Beveridge said.
Dogs to move on quick after loss to Lions
Coach says the young Bulldogs will quickly adjust their focus to a final against the Crows.