A dominant third quarter saw Essendon set up the win against the Bulldogs on Saturday but Easton Wood says there were a number of positives to take away from the match.

The Bulldogs won three quarters and remained in striking distance until the dying minutes of the game but were unable to overcome the frantic end to the game.

“They really came after us in that third quarter, [we] felt pretty under the pump there but I felt like we rode that out,” Wood said.

“It was just disappointing not to finish a bit better and have a bit more composure and get the win.”

For the second consecutive week the Bulldogs won the contested ball and clearances and were able to play more of the game on their own terms, shutting down Essendon’s free-flowing style.

But Essendon’s six goals to two in the third quarter proved the difference and the Bulldogs were unable to close the gap after the main change.

“We did a lot right, the boys in the midfield were in the contest right and the contested ball was right up,” he said.

“I think just where we slipped up sometimes we didn’t have the balance around the stoppage and it cost us a few times.

“We got a lot right… we just seemed in that last quarter to really over-handball it a bit through the middle – didn’t really get it in there and try them out.” 

The Bulldogs now prepare to take on Melbourne on Saturday in their first game at the MCG for the season.