Collingwood's young team were "lambs to the slaughter" against a Hawthorn team tuning up for a run at the grand final.
Coach Nathan Buckley praised his young team's endeavour in its 121-56 Friday night defeat but ultimately agreed with opposite number Alastair Clarkson – his side was too young and was always going to be overrun.
"Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind a little bit. We came with good intent, we executed our plans pretty well early could have had a couple more ahead from the get go - (we) just weren't clean enough to take advantage of our dominance of field position.
"And then, as the game wore on, the Hawks' legs were telling against us, and it just looked like we didn't have anything under us, and in the end the result looked after itself."
Earlier, Hawthorn coach Clarkson had said he knew that despite Collingwood's strong first quarter the injury-hit side wouldn't be able to sustain the effort throughout.
Clarkson, in fact, waited outside the press conference room as Buckley appeared before the media, side by side with retiring midfielder Luke Ball.
Clarkson would wait until the conference was over for a chance to shake Ball's hand; Buckley spent much of the event gazing at Ball like a proud father would gaze upon his son.
"It doesn't last forever," Buckley said.
"Even the best blokes, who have given everything of themselves for the time they've had, it comes to an end for everyone. So the message for the young blokes is take advantage of it, make hay while the sun shines. Enjoy your field of dreams when you've got that chance."
Ball, for his part, looked both emotional and embarrassed.
"I was pretty keen to just keep it pretty low key and let it slide out after the game," he said.
"Buck's advice was that it only happens once, and next week, a fortnight's time, you're just another ex-player. Have your moment - you've deserved it, even if you don't like it."
Ball may be right. Certainly his coach is already looking to next season, as Ball looks to life after retiring from the "only job I've ever had".
Of next season, Buckley said: "It doesn't feel like the end, it feels like the beginning. And it's the beginning of whatever we want to make it."
