Even small errors are costly against an elite side like Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs learnt that against the 2013 grand finalists last night.

The Bulldogs put up a gallant fight but Luke Dahlhaus said it was a few minor errors that allowed the Dockers to get a run-on late in the game.

“For maybe two and a half quarters we matched them,” Dahlhaus said.

“There were a couple of little things towards the end and they ended up getting a few goals and good teams like that will punish you.”

Had the Bulldogs converted more of their opportunities and better positioned themselves defensively, Dahlhaus said the final result could have reflected differently.

“We missed probably four goals and from their forward half turnovers they kicked four goals,” he said.

“You never know if it was the other way around, [it] could have been a closer game.”

The 21-year-old said his teammates would return to training to tighten up their defensive structures and maximising every opportunity in front of goals.

“We will go to the training track, work on our goal kicking and see how we go.”