THIS wasn't the hardest lesson the Western Bulldogs have had to learn this season, but it was certainly among the more valuable ones.
Playing against the defending premiers, Geelong, at the end of a long hard season on the Cats' home turf, the Bulldogs hung in the game all day.
They didn't win but they won the third term - the first time since round 12 the Bulldogs had managed to win a quarter in the second half.
Watch Coach Brendan McCartney's post match press conference in full on the media player above.
They also had 42 more disposals (including 69 more handballs) and won the centre clearances 15-8.
That was reward for hard work and discipline, never giving up and continuing to do the basics well minute after minute.
"I think their confidence grew during the game," coach Brendan McCartney said.
"I think sometimes [with] young players and young teams the scoreboard can do nasty things to their psyche.
"I think they looked up a couple of times and thought 'Gee, we're only two or three or four goals down and we're in the game'."
Mitch Wallis, in just his 24th game, said post-match that he learned plenty watching Geelong spread from the contest - most of all that the Cats' midfield's experience meant they knew when a teammate was going to get the ball and could make confident attacking decisions half a second quicker than their opponents.
It was a reminder of the patient path McCartney keeps talking about. Good football teams take time to develop.
Wallis also articulated the value of experience from an individual angle when he spoke of what playing against champions can do to a young player's approach.
During the game he was aware when playing on the Cats' stars Jimmy Bartel or Joel Corey that he had to curb their influence and worry about what his opponent was doing rather than taking the initiative himself.
"They can dictate the terms a little bit," Wallis said.
McCartney praised Jordan Roughead for his effort in defence on Tom Hawkins. Roughead was solid and unlucky to concede a couple of late goals to the big Cat.
"We've been thrilled to bits with Jordan Roughead's last five weeks now," McCartney said.
"Each week he has been pretty good against generally a pretty good power forward."
McCartney was pleased with the efforts of his own leaders too.
Matthew Boyd (46 disposals) and Ryan Griffen (37) were the standouts, but Adam Cooney (28) played his best game of the season too.
McCartney said Griffen had added a ruthless contested component to his running brilliance while Boyd's leadership was being complemented by improved defensive skills.
Cooney showed some burst on occasions, with McCartney rapt that the 2008 Brownlow medallist could have such a positive influence on the game.
"He looked lively didn't he," McCartney said.
"He helped us link up and create a little bit of nice play for us. It's been a good result for him to get back and play for us."
McCartney said Cooney had been working hard to maintain his fitness despite his sore knee and had benefited from playing on a surface at Simonds Stadium with a bit of give in the ground.
Brian Lake was a late withdrawal with ongoing foot and knee problems, but McCartney expects him to be back next week.
Another late withdrawal, Jason Johannisen, will miss with calf problems, while Daniel Giansiracusa was subbed off midway through the third quarter with a jarred knee that will be assessed on Monday.
McCartney said he would never be happy with a five-goal loss, but the signs were positive.
"It was just good to see some people that have not played a lot footy prepared to take the game on and back themselves."
They also had 42 more disposals (including 69 more handballs) and won the centre clearances 15-8.
That was reward for hard work and discipline, never giving up and continuing to do the basics well minute after minute.
"I think their confidence grew during the game," coach Brendan McCartney said.
"I think sometimes [with] young players and young teams the scoreboard can do nasty things to their psyche.
"I think they looked up a couple of times and thought 'Gee, we're only two or three or four goals down and we're in the game'."
Mitch Wallis, in just his 24th game, said post-match that he learned plenty watching Geelong spread from the contest - most of all that the Cats' midfield's experience meant they knew when a teammate was going to get the ball and could make confident attacking decisions half a second quicker than their opponents.
It was a reminder of the patient path McCartney keeps talking about. Good football teams take time to develop.
Wallis also articulated the value of experience from an individual angle when he spoke of what playing against champions can do to a young player's approach.
During the game he was aware when playing on the Cats' stars Jimmy Bartel or Joel Corey that he had to curb their influence and worry about what his opponent was doing rather than taking the initiative himself.
"They can dictate the terms a little bit," Wallis said.
McCartney praised Jordan Roughead for his effort in defence on Tom Hawkins. Roughead was solid and unlucky to concede a couple of late goals to the big Cat.
"We've been thrilled to bits with Jordan Roughead's last five weeks now," McCartney said.
"Each week he has been pretty good against generally a pretty good power forward."
McCartney was pleased with the efforts of his own leaders too.
Matthew Boyd (46 disposals) and Ryan Griffen (37) were the standouts, but Adam Cooney (28) played his best game of the season too.
McCartney said Griffen had added a ruthless contested component to his running brilliance while Boyd's leadership was being complemented by improved defensive skills.
Cooney showed some burst on occasions, with McCartney rapt that the 2008 Brownlow medallist could have such a positive influence on the game.
"He looked lively didn't he," McCartney said.
"He helped us link up and create a little bit of nice play for us. It's been a good result for him to get back and play for us."
McCartney said Cooney had been working hard to maintain his fitness despite his sore knee and had benefited from playing on a surface at Simonds Stadium with a bit of give in the ground.
Brian Lake was a late withdrawal with ongoing foot and knee problems, but McCartney expects him to be back next week.
Another late withdrawal, Jason Johannisen, will miss with calf problems, while Daniel Giansiracusa was subbed off midway through the third quarter with a jarred knee that will be assessed on Monday.
McCartney said he would never be happy with a five-goal loss, but the signs were positive.
"It was just good to see some people that have not played a lot footy prepared to take the game on and back themselves."
