Veteran Bomber Andrew Welsh says the team will learn an important lesson from last night's fourth quarter fade-out against the Cats at the MCG.
""It was disappointing in the end to get run over like that,"" Welsh said at recovery today.
""We thought for three quarters we were really good. We worked on a lot of areas over the pre-season especially our defensive side which I thought was really promising (last night).
""They (Geelong) are a great side and we are going to take a lot from that (game) and learn a lot from that last quarter.""
Welsh said the Bombers need to get better at capitalising on a lead after being up by almost four goals twice in the game.
""We've got to continue to learn as a team how to hold that (a lead) and combat that so if teams do come back and kick a few goals we can stem that. Geelong kicked eight or so in row and we've got the learn from that.""
The Bombers' vice-captain rejected suggestions that a decision to play-on by Jay Neagle in the third quarter, which probably cost the team a goal, was a deciding factor in the loss.
""We have a game style that is move the ball on and we wanted to do that for the whole game and try and test Geelong in that area and keep pushing the ball and that (getting tackled) was just one of those situations that's going to happen,"" he said
""You can't really put any one situation down to being a turning point, it is probably a collective of a few different areas all over the ground that we need to do a lot better in.""
Welsh said playing against established champions like Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartell gives the Essendon midfield something to aspire to and that the return of David Hille - who was reported for charging in the fourth quarter - was massive for the team.
""David was fantastic, not just in his work around the ground but in his communication with us as midfielders and especially when he can push forward the way he does and take contested marks,"" he said.
""You forget how vital he is the team and how big a year he is ready for.""
