Brad Scott doesn't think Essendon's late-season AFL slide is reflective of the club's progress as he seeks to erase small margins to create big gains in the post-Dyson Heppell era.
The Bombers were outplayed for three quarters but kicked five unanswered goals in the final term as they finished 20 points shy of Brisbane in Saturday's regular season final at the Gabba.
Heppell, recalled for a farewell game after being omitted from their final Melbourne encounter a week earlier, finished with a season-high 34 disposals in their 11.21 (87) to 10.7 (67) defeat.
The former captain and All-Australian also had a game-high 12 intercepts in his 253rd appearance.
He will close a 13-year career without ever winning a finals game, the Bombers having faded after a terrific start to miss finals for a third-straight season.
Heppell embraced former teammate and Lions forward Joe Daniher, who played his 200th game, immediately after the siren and was emotional as he was chaired off in front of both teams and his family.
"If anyone had the right to sit down and say poor me ... he would," coach Scott said.
"But he's the opposite ... unfortunately he's the ultimate example that there's a lot of luck in our game.
"You can be in the right place at the right time or wrong place at the wrong time.
"Heart and soul ... he's been someone who's hoisted the club on its shoulders.
"He'll leave an indelible legacy on the club and the young players."
The Bombers won eight of their first 11 games but lost six of their last seven to slide from the top four, and they were out of finals contention altogether before the final round.
Scott insisted his side weren't far off the mark.
"We were outclassed today by a better team but a little bit of improvement more than everyone else can lead to pretty good things," he said.
"It's true if you look at the wins and losses and that's ultimately what counts.
"There were parts of our game in the first half we weren't happy with at all.
"We found a way to win a lot of games, where in the second half (of the season) we did the opposite.
"There's a lot to be optimistic about ... and the great thing about this comp is that it's really tight."