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GEELONG West's finals ambitions took a hit as the club went down to the Eagles in a match coach Nick Washington felt his side had to clinch to be serious contenders in 2013.
"We had to win. We had to beat someone above us. We haven't done that yet. We've come so close but we're so far away," Washington said.
"We got our opportunities and just couldn't take them. The effort is there - it just needs to be for four quarters."
Washington has put great emphasis on producing good football for an entire game so the Cheetahs can take a much-needed top-five scalp.
In recent weeks the team has matched it with top sides Werribee and Bell Post Hill for parts of the match, without claiming victory.
Washington put it down to attitude, though he believed his side was on the right track.
"It seems that when things aren't going our way we start looking at things outside the game," he said.
"We've had a few issues with training and blokes not doing what they're supposed to do.
"We're trying to change 10 to 20 years of poor history here. It takes time."
Geelong West's runners led the way, with Daniel Kelly, Chris Bradshaw and Robbie Sims creating plenty of run for the visitors, while Conor Long played his best game for the season.
Washington said the team would work hard to claim victory in the coming weeks. "We just have to start digging deep and try to find that way to win," he said.
"We're nearly at full strength at the moment. It's a bit of a form thing."
SAM'S THE MAN
SAM Kelly, right, played his 100th match for Geelong West on the weekend. The milestone is credit to Kelly who has stuck true to the Cheetahs through tough times. Kelly is having another great season, with 26 goals to his name. While the Cheetahs couldn't deliver a win, they have shown this season that they are a much improved side and are building towards success in coming years.
BIG UPSET
AFTER a great start to the season, the young Bannockburn side looked to be tiring, having lost three matches on the trot since the bye. This was not the case on Saturday as they delivered a big upset, defeating the third-placed Centurions at Victoria Park. The win puts them a game outside the top five but, more importantly, was the clear indication of improvement for this exciting young side that promises plenty for the future.
HOT FORM
IT'S official - East Geelong is full of confidence and running on top of the ground at the right end of the season. The victory over Geelong West was the scalp it needed and the manner it which was achieved was that of a finals side. In contrast to earlier in the season it has close to a full-strength side on the field and is one of the form sides of the competition with four successive wins.
