A chance to regroup and refocus. 

Head Coach Tam Hyett spoke about the opportunity for the group to use the 17-point loss against the Demons to fine-tune the game plan heading into the finals series. 

The Dogs were gallant in difficult conditions, with the Demons ability to adapt their gamestyle early ultimately the difference. 

Here's what Hyett had to say following the game: 

Tough conditions and the result:

“It would have been nice to get a clear shot at them.

“Pretty slippery out there.

“It proved how clean they were and I think that was the difference. They were much cleaner in these conditions and were able to get territory off the back of that.

“We held up OK. I think there were some areas we were a little disappointed in.

“We’ll go to work and be better for next week.”

On Melbourne able to make the most of their opportunities:

“It was almost a carbon copy.

“They took their moments.

“We had a really big thing on finishing this week, finishing off our work. So maybe we’ll do two weeks of that.

“They just took their moments, which is what good teams do. They do all the work up the ground, get it in their forward 50 and are able to capitalise on that.

“Credit to them, they were pretty polished in some of those areas.”

On the adjustment made after quarter time:

“Basically, at quarter time, we just said territory was a good look.

"We just thought we had some really good even numbers ahead of the ball and I think our forwards competed really well in the air.

“Again, we just weren’t able to make use of it. I thought our talls were pretty good and it was a good look when we did get shoulders out and take it forward.

“They’re a really high-pressure team. I think they’re number one for pressure.

“We probably invited a little bit of pressure around the ball by not taking account of the conditions straight away and adjusting quickly enough.

“Inviting the pressure with an extra handball and then it becomes a little bit of perceived pressure as well.

“The girls adjusted well, but we probably should have done it a little bit quicker.”

On the last-quarter fight:

“They’re a plucky bunch, they’re a good bunch.

“They hate to lose.”

On Pritchard's injury:

“We were pretty cautious.

“We’ve secured a finals berth, so I think the physio just made the decision, ‘Let’s sit her out and we’ll reassess.’

“We’ve got a really good medical team, so they’ll do their due diligence and get some scans.

“At this stage, we’ll probably have more of an idea in the next couple of days as to what happened.”

On Jess Fitzgerald and potential return time: 

“Fitzy just innocuously did her hammy.

“I thought Elle Bennetts came in and had some good moments in there and replaced her role.

“You can’t replace the player but we’re lucky with the system that we’re playing. We’ve got players that can come in and play roles.

“Fitzy, at this stage, will be a couple more weeks, I believe.

“It just depends on how she responds to treatment.”

On regaining players ahead of finals:

“We’ve had a full-squad mentality.

“Prior to probably Fitzy getting injured, our high-performance and medical team have done a wonderful job.

“I think we’re 18th for games missed, so to speak, from players.

“We’ve had a pretty good run, so hopefully we can continue that.

“You always want your best players playing in finals.”

On the challenge against Geelong:

“What we’ve done really well so far is focus on all three phases of the game.

“So contest, defence and then our offensive method.

“Obviously, it’s hard to play your offensive method in these conditions.

“Again, we just want to go to work and, if we can get some really good looks off the back of some really strong defensive intent and hopefully challenge them in that forward half, we think we have the ability to challenge anyone on any given day.

“They’re capitalising on all the work that their mids are doing up forward.

“I think we’ve got a pretty strong defensive unit as well, so it’s going to be a really good clash.”

On Mua:

“She’s a gun.

“We said that last year, ‘Naughty’, Elle Bennetts, was Benjamin Button, just getting better with age. Well, Mua is putting in a shift.

“She’s been brilliant since she’s come back from an ACL. Really good voice and great experience down there for our younger players.

“She’s been a really big contributor to what we’ve done this year.”

On the rich history between the Dogs and Demons:

“I’ve been lucky, I’ve represented both.

“It’s been pretty cool.

“You can’t shy away from the fact that these two clubs were really championing what we wanted to see at the elite level for women.

“Just the groundwork that’s been done by the likes of Debbie Lee, Leesa Catto and all the old St Kilda Sharks girls. I feel like there are a few out there.

“I’m really proud to be part of the Bulldogs, but I was also really proud that I was part of Melbourne as well. They’re two brilliant clubs.

“It’s great for both teams.”