Essendon coach Ben Rutten looked to focus on the positives following their after-the-siren loss to Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
While Rutten was disappointed to have come up short, he was “pleased” that his side put itself in a position to win the game.
The Bombers recovered from a 37-point deficit at quarter-time to lead by 21 points during the final term.
In a thrilling finale, Magpies forward Jamie Elliott kicked the match-winner after the siren from a tight angle to break Bombers hearts.
“It was all disappointing,” Rutten told reporters.
“As I said, it was disappointing we hit the post, we couldn’t get set, the ball shouldn’t get down there that quick, we should spoil that ball out of bounds. He kicks a great goal.
“Unfortunately it’s part of the game tonight and one of the lessons we need to learn, but I’m pleased. They’ve won nine in a row now and we put ourselves in a position to win the game, that’s what I want us to take out of it.”
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David King disagrees with Rutten’s post-game comments and questioned the decision to bench captain Dyson Heppell late in the contest.
“I don’t agree with any of that,” King said on SEN’s Whateley.
“‘I’m pleased we put ourselves in a position to win the game’ – you just win that game.
“You don’t have your captain on the bench for starters. Close games need leadership. They had him on the field for 60 minutes in the second half and they had to give him a break at the end of the match because he was spent.
“That’s poor management and that’s on your strength and conditioning staff, that’s on the guys at bench level, he’s standing right next to them – what are you doing down there?”
The North Melbourne champion also took aim at three of Essendon’s leaders for their lack of match awareness in the final minute of the game.
Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett and Dylan Shiel were seen circling Harrison Jones in the hope of celebrating as the young forward looked to ice the game.
Jones’ set shot hit the post and as a result, Collingwood swiftly transitioned the ball from one end of the ground to the other that led to Elliott’s mark and shot at goal in the dying seconds.
“If you can’t manage that then your other leaders have to engage,” King said.
“The three prime leaders of the Essendon Football Club were ready to run in, they were creeping in to hug the goalscorer – that’s not leadership, that’s for the first gamer to run in and do that.
“The club’s a mess and there’s no other angle to start than comparing what (Craig) McRae does than what Rutten does. They’re poles apart.”
Essendon’s defensives woes were laid bare as the Magpies kicked the final four goals of the match to snatch a ninth consecutive victory.
“This is my point with Essendon,” King said in conclusion.
“Everyone keeps telling me they’re going well, they’re going to correct, wait until next year and wait for this and wait for that – if nothing changes defensively, nothing changes.
“It’s a rush to be the best team in the competition without the football, to be the hardest team to play against. Everyone is training and coaching with an urgency to be that team.
“I see Sam Mitchell trying to do it, I see Craig McRae trying to do it, Geelong have always done it, Melbourne is trying to get it back – I don’t know if Essendon are. I don’t know if it’s a priority.
“This is why you find yourself in these situations and having these sorts of press conferences.”
The four-point loss was Essendon’s 12th defeat of 2022.