Bendigo has put in its best effort of the year to go down by just 13 points to Port Melbourne at TEAC oval.
Assistant coach Steve Thompson said the team played some fantastic football in what was a narrow loss.
""We didn't make the most of opportunities early in tricky, windy conditions and we didn't get the scores we needed which came back to hurt us,"" Thompson said.
""We dominated inside 50s in the first half but couldn't nail them on the score board.
""We were the better team in the third quarter and scores were tied at three quarter time. We were possibly coming home with a slight advantage with the breeze and looked ready to finish strongly in the last but it just didn't happen.
""It was a big ask though as we had been three players down since halftime.""
In the first half young Stacey Fiske fractured his jaw in a marking contest, Essendon listed John Williams popped a shoulder going for a high mark and David Myers received a heavy knock to his knee and could only play five more minutes.
""Skipworth was massive for us today, he had 35-plus touches and his leadership and ball use was superb. He was very unselfish,"" Thompson said.
""Lovett-Murray was fantastic and used his power and speed all day. His workrate was enormous and we were very happy with him.
""Bellchambers was also very good and rucked all day despite carrying a small injury. He was tireless against some good, big opponents. He marked well and was good in the ruck.
""Atkinson was surperb again all day off half-back and it was possbily his best game of the year. His dash, carry, spoiling and defensive work was great. It was a complete game.
""Another positive was Zaharakis who was back to his old zip. He showed the class and poise he is known for and is a quality young player.
""Possibly our best player was our captain Flaherty down back who was rock solid and and Houli again played well.""
Port Melbourne 12.16.(88)
Bendigo Bombers 10.15 (75)
Bendigo Bombers
Goal Kickers: N. Lovett-Murray 3, J. Neagle 2, D. Daniher 2, P. Scanlon, D. Zaharakis, L. Delahunty
Best Players: J. Flaherty, J. Atkinson, B. Houli, N. Lovett-Murray, D. Zaharakis, S. Crameri
Port Melbourne
Goal Kickers: W. Schultz 3, S. Pleming 2, A. Deluca 2, S. Dwyer, R. McMahon, H. O''Farrell, M. Dillon, S. Brewer
Best Players: S. Brewer, W. Schultz, C. Cain, T. Pinwill, S. Dwyer, S. Pleming
