PORT Macquarie Magpies fought hard but went down to Coffs Swans in a close AFL North Coast contest on Saturday.
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The defending premiers lost by just 22 points to the undefeated Swans and the form team of the 2014 competition.
The Pies lost 13.8 (86) to 9.10 (64) at Wayne Richards Park, but coach Scott Abercrombie wasn't too disappointed.
"It's funny. If you'd have said to me on Thursday that we'd only lose by 22 points I would have said 'you beauty, but you're kidding yourself'," he said.
"But after the game, I was thinking if we could have done a few things differently, we would have won it.
"I think we put the fear of God into them, that's for sure."
The difference between the two teams was Port's habit of going to sleep at vital stages, and allowing runs of goals from the Swans.
It wasn't for lack of effort though.
"We did what we planned to do," Abercrombie said.
"I was very happy with the boys' efforts."
The hosts matched it with the opposition. Scores were identical at half-time, with both teams kicking six goals and five behinds.
The Swans showed their class to snag the match in the second half.
The key for the Pies now is backing up and putting in another good performance in a fortnight's time.
They'll hit the road to play North Coffs.
The Pies enjoy a round bye on Saturday thanks to the June long weekend.
Abercrombie said it came at the right time for his club.
"The older blokes can use it to rest and recuperate," he said.
"It's come at the right time for us."