Luke Beveridge has slammed his Western Bulldogs side, saying they were "flattered" by the scoreline even though they suffered a 53-point drubbing against rampant Sydney.
The Bulldogs were blown away on Friday by the fast-starting Swans, who slammed on five goals before the visitors booted their first to set up a 37-point lead at the first break - and it could have been much more.
The Swans dominated the opening term with 54-34 contested possessions, 14-6 clearances and 22-10 inside 50s but failed to make the most of their opportunities as they kicked 7.8 while the Bulldogs salvaged 2.1.
"We got taught a lesson in that first quarter," said coach Beveridge, following the 17.18 (120) to 9.13 (67) hammering.
"There are not many positives to come out of the night really, unfortunately.
"The Swans were right on their best pressure-mettle and we couldn't wriggle our way through it.
"Really, the scoreline, we were flattered.
"We were pretty lucky to still kind of be in the game and try to arrest it for a little while, but overall, there is not a lot of positives coming out of tonight."
The Bulldogs' sluggish start and eventual loss means they squandered a chance to move ahead of the Swans and into the top eight.
Last year's grand finalists are instead languishing in 10th and will end the round still one win - and possibly two - out of the finals positions with only six games to play.
But Beveridge refused to concede that the Bulldogs' finals hopes are all but gone despite an 8-8 record and a tough run home.
"You won't get me talking about finals," Beveridge said.
"I've always thought you're not entitled to talk about it, you don't deserve to talk about it until you get there. We've got some work to do to beat St Kilda, let alone think about finals."
The Bulldogs face a crucial clash with St Kilda on Friday night then matches against Melbourne, Geelong and Fremantle in a month that could define their season.
