A strong showing against the powerful Chiefs in front of a passionate home crowd might look like positives for the Western Force from the outside but coach Dave Wessels wants more.
The Force were playing their first game since news broke that one Australian Super Rugby franchise had to go with the competition downsizing to 15 teams in 2018.
The Australian Rugby Union decided it would either be the Force or Melbourne Rebels and the West Australian community rallied behind their team on Saturday night.
A significantly improved crowd of 14,089 flocked to nib Stadium and they saw a brave, determined effort from the Force even if the Chiefs won 16-7.
To hold an explosive outfit like the Chiefs to one first half try Liam Messam and three second half penalties appeared a decent enough showing from the Force.
But Wessels says it's time his team stops making mistakes that could easily change brave losses to heroic wins.
"I still think we should have won the game had we learned some of the lessons from the previous weeks," Wessels said.
"That's the disappointing thing and I'm just not in the mood to be sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves. We have these things in our control, we just have to be better at closing tight games out.
"That's what it takes to be competitive consistently in Super Rugby. We've got to learn those lessons and we have to be pretty honest with ourselves. That's probably the disappointing part of the game for us."
The Force's injury toll grew when Wallabies back Dane Haylett-Petty left the field after 20 minutes and he is likely to be sidelined next week.
That game, against the Lions at nib Stadium on Saturday, is one where Wessels won't be accepting any excuses.
"The Lions are obviously a very good side and they've got a well-balanced game. They have a strong set piece game and a good running, and kicking game," he said.
"What we'll have to do is flush this out pretty quickly because we can't dwell on it too long, but it's really important that Monday is spent looking hard at this game and learning so that I'm not sitting here next week saying the exact same thing."
Force stalwart Matt Hodgson was proud to see the WA public get behind his embattled club.
"It's great for rugby to see young kids to adults all the way through coming to watch us play," Hodgson said.
"Seeing the young kids running around definitely inspires me and I know the team gets a lot out of it when we get in a dark time and the crowd makes some noise. It definitely gets us through and results will come on the back of their help."
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