Patrick Dangerfield was impressed by the way the younger players stood up in Geelong’s Round 9 loss to West Coast.

The Cats were gallant in defeat going down by nine-points.

“It is bitterly disappointing when it is that close,” Dangerfield said speaking to K Rock Football post-game.

“It was a really tough and tight ride throughout the entire game, but unfortunately we just didn’t quite come up trumps and it hurts.”

Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives from the performance.

“There is always plenty to reflect on in a game like that, but we also did plenty right as well, and some younger players really stood up tonight and I thought it was a really even contribution.”

If you missed the game and went straight to the stats sheet, Fogarty’s five-disposal game would appear underwhelming, but his influence was the opposite.

For the second consecutive week he stepped up in the absence of Luke Dahlhaus and Tom Atkins to play an important role applying pressure on the opposition in Geelong’s attacking half.

“I thought Fogs pressure up the ground was sensational.

“He didn’t quite have the possession or the reward, but he was dogged in the contest.

“He and Gryan Miers did the same thing.”

Irishman Mark O’Connor was another that received praise from Dangerfield.

“He is a bit older, but he hasn’t been playing football that long – those guys are just learning so much every game and they’re going to be very special players for us long term.”

Geelong now has a short turnaround to prepare for their Round 10 clash against North Melbourne on Wednesday night.

Games against St Kilda and Port Adelaide will follow within a nine-day period.

Dangerfield is going in with the mentality that he will play every game, but that may see him spend more time forward as we saw in the game against West Coast.

“A bit of it was employed today. It’s a bit of time forward, a bit of time midfield, it is not just one size fits all.

“It is easier for me because I can go and sit deeper in the goal square, but at the moment my philosophy is the play every game.

“Sometimes it will be a lot more time deeper and resting where you can versus running around on ball.

"We will certainly expose a lot of our list, but I think you need to have that mentality of wanting to play every game until the coach says other words.”

Geelong’s Round 10 clash against North Melbourne at the GABBA will commence at 5.40pm AEST on Wednesday evening.