WE LET a great opportunity slip away on Sunday against the Western Bulldogs and it was a disappointing way to lose.

Early in the match we had the opportunity to hurt the opposition on the scoreboard, but we kicked 3.7 in the first quarter and we didn't stamp our authority on the game. And for the rest of the match we didn't make the most of our opportunities that were presented.

We dominated the clearances from the middle of the ground, which was really important, but we couldn't maximise our opportunities up forward.

For us to have won that match, we needed to slow the Western Bulldogs’ game-style down, because they move the footy so quickly and take the game on. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that.

Whenever we kicked the ball inside 50, we were unable to hold our marks. Instead the Bulldogs won the footy and rebounded quickly to the other end. The game then started to become a bit of a shootout and you don't want to play the Bulldogs with that mentality.

Yet we were really happy with the guys' intensity and the way they fought out the game.

Even in the last quarter we were still within reach and had some opportunities to push the score even closer. A couple of missed shots at goal were crucial. 'Crawf' didn't take a shot from about 30 metres, while Jarryd Roughead missed a goal from 20 metres. This is a classic example of where we need to need to get better at taking our opportunities.

I thought 'Buddy's' six-goal contribution on the weekend was significant. For a young player in his just his third year, it was a great effort to step up in the absence of Mark Williams. It was a great sign of maturity.

Once again Brad Sewell was excellent, taking Adam Cooney out of the game, while Campbell Brown's job on Brad Johnson was also a great effort.

Up until the weekend, we thought 3-1 was a good start to the year – despite our disappointment with round one.

We are now 3-2 and understand some significant challenges face us in the next month. Although we let the Bulldogs slip, our next three matches are against Essendon, Fremantle and St Kilda. Again, it's another great opportunity for us in what looms as a tough month.

First and foremost, we have to get back onto the winners' list this weekend against Essendon – one of our club's great rivals.

Having come from another football club, Melbourne, it's been really apparent to me the rivalry between Hawthorn and Essendon since I joined the Hawks. We've had some great encounters against the Bombers over the years, particularly during the 1980s in several grand finals.

It's one game the players don't have any trouble getting up for, and I know our supporters and members look forward to this game every year.

We managed to get over the line a couple of times last year, so they are always good clashes. This will be no exception this year and I would imagine it should be a great crowd at the MCG. Both teams are in pretty good form, so it should be a top game.

Richie Vandenberg, Joel Smith, Trent Croad and Clinton Young will all be in the selection mix this weekend after missing matches through injury, which also means it will be a tough week at the selection committee.