Two glaring errors at either end of the ground showed the gap the Western Bulldogs must bridge to challenge top AFL sides like Collingwood.
The Bulldogs pushed the Magpies in Friday night's Marvel Stadium blockbuster, kicking the first three goals of the game and leading by 22 points during the second term.
But Collingwood kicked clear in the third quarter and then held off the Bulldogs' late surge to win by 12 points.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was left to rue his team's lack of poise and noted two moments.
The first was when Collingwood forward Ash Johnson took an uncontested mark on the goal line, giving him the easiest of set shots.
Then Magpies captain Darcy Moore was able to do the same at the other end when he stopped a Bulldogs shot at goal.
"There's some detail and some margins in there that matter in these games," Beveridge said.
"The boys obviously dug in and persevered - we came with a bit of a challenge in the last quarter.
"But even then, we squandered some great opportunities."
Still, the game showed Beveridge that the Bulldogs can be competitive against the best - provided they keep improving.
"In the cut and thrust of the game, they were just a little bit too good, a little bit too brilliant at times," he said.
"We'll go away with some positives, but we want to make up these margins that we know are there. We feel like we're not too far away, but it can still be too far."
Defender Ryan Gardiner hurt his ankle and Beveridge doubts he will play next weekend against Sydney.
Star midfielder Bailey Smith continues to struggle for form, with Beveridge saying he is still regaining full fitness.
Former Collingwood player Caleb Poulter had a bad start against his old side when he briefly ran the wrong way with the ball in the first term.
"At least he was honest with that ... it was just the overwhelming nature of playing against your old side," Beveridge said.
"It's hard when you're yelling at your own player ... to run the other way."
