Undeniably, there's pain at Collingwood after coming so close to the AFL premiership.
But there's also a defiant sense of pride following a season which ended began on the brink and ended in a spectacular grand final.
Collingwood led for West Coast for the majority of Saturday's decider at the MCG but fell victim to an incredible set shot from Dom Sheed to lose by five points.
President Eddie McGuire rode every bump with his team in the stands, and looked a broken figure in the aftermath of the defeat.
"You come here with hope in your heart ... that's what big time sport is all about," he said.
"If you put yourself out there you're going to feel devastation at times.
"I bought into what Nathan Buckley and the boys brought to the table this year.
"As it turns out, we were in front for 95 per cent of the game and behind for five per cent. The bottom line is, we're behind from eternity from here."
Ever the salesman, McGuire didn't take long to pivot to the positives for his club.
McGuire said everyone at Collingwood had the right to feel proud of their efforts after the side regenerated from also-rans to grand final runners-up.
"It's been enjoyable this week to see the football world look at us other than Collingwood the traditional and the hated side," he said.
"We lived our ethos this year, we play for the community.
"It was a really hard year last year because we went hard on ourselves.
"We beat ourselves up last year to really just strip ourselves bare so we could rebuild our club.
"I'm so proud of what everything done this year, and we had it just about there," he said.
"They've got the cup and we walk away with a funny feeling. The West Coast Eagles are worthy champions for 2018."
Share
