There were signs of growth – despite the final margin – according to midfielder Mitch Wallis in the Western Bulldogs’ loss to Geelong on Saturday afternoon.

Midway through the third term, the Cats led by almost six goals, before the Bulldogs fought back to narrow the margin to just nine points early in the final term.

The Cats then kicked the final six goals of the contest to run away with a 44-point victors.

Wallis said the match highlighted some areas for improvement, but stressed there were positives in the Bulldogs’ clash with the competition’s top team.

“There’s a couple of reminders of where we need to get to, to match it with the best,” Wallis said post-game.

“Certainly there were some really good patches in the first three quarters.

“It is pleasing that we could return serve and throw a counter punch (in the third term), I think that shows a bit of growth. The next step is to maintain that for the full 120 minutes, and we couldn’t do that tonight.

“There’s some positives to take away, but (we’re) a little bit bitter that the margin blew out to that eight-goal margin.”

TOO MANY BELOW THEIR BEST: BEVERIDGE

Wallis led from the front on Saturday, playing one of his best games for 2019 as he collected 29 disposals, won nine clearances and slotted two goals.


He said despite the disappointment of the result, the Bulldogs could carry some wins into Saturday’s important clash with North Melbourne.

“I don’t think we’ve lost any momentum after that game,” Wallis said.

“We had a really good three-quarter effort and we were right in amongst it, I think we got the first goal of the last quarter, so we were really taking it up to them.

“They’re number one in the competition for a reason, and we just couldn’t hold on.

“There were a few that were probably a little bit down today across the board. The week’s all about learning from that, and moving forward. Every week’s another opportunity to get better and that’s the attitude we’re going to take.”

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