The Bendigo Pioneers received a wake-up call in Saturday's NAB League 10-point loss to the Geelong Falcons.
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On top of the table going into the clash with the ninth-placed Falcons in Ballarat, the Pioneers undid some of their previous good work with a performance that frustrated coach Danny O'Bree.
"Geelong looked much more hungry than what we did,'' O'Bree said of the 9.10 (64) to 7.12 (54) result.
"We looked really distracted. I thought we wanted it easier than what we were prepared to work for.
"We've had the analogy in the last couple of weeks of the difference between blue and white collar footy.
"We wanted to be white-collar today, which was really disappointing.
"It was a real contrast between today and last week (win over Murray Bushrangers).
"In any competitive sport nothing is given to you and we have to get out of that mentality very quickly."
After a tight first three terms, the Pioneers dominated general play in the opening 10 minutes of the final quarter, but they couldn't turn that into multiple goals on the scoreboard.
They had the first five scoring shots of the final term, but kicked 1.4.
That left the door open for the Falcons and they took advantage.
Their taller players took some crucial contested marks and when it was their turn to shoot at goal they made the Pioneers pay.
Half-forward/midfielder Harvey Gallagher was best for the Pioneers.
"He was playing half-forward and then we moved him into the middle in the third quarter because he was our cleanest player by far and he looked as though he was the only one who could give us a spark,'' O'Bree said of Gallagher.
Ryan O'Keefe, who has spent most of this season as a key forward, played at centre half-back against the Falcons and did a great job for the team.
One of the bright spots for the Pioneers was the form of 16-year-old Harley Reid.
The youngster showed his class with three first-half goals.
"He's super exciting,'' O'Bree said of Reid.
"Because he's that bit younger we kept him forward, but he has the capabilities to play anywhere on the ground."
Half-back Ricky Monti and big man Jed Brereton continued their good form for the Pioneers, while 17-year-old Noah Long impressed.
O'Bree said the Pioneers would work hard on the training track this week in a bid to return to their best form next week.
"There's some minor tweaks we need to make to our standards,'' he said.
"We probably got a little bit selfish today and we need to make a minor tweak to our mindset."
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