Adam Cooney has produced his strongest performance of the season in the Bombers loss to Geelong.

The Brownlow medal winner collected ten possessions in the first quarter and ended the day with 28 disposals.

“I was obviously really disappointed with the start of the season – I didn’t get off to a flyer,” Cooney said.

“The last few weeks I’ve tried to build a little bit of form, played a few different roles through the midfield a little bit more and up forward… I’m just trying to build my form.”

The Bombers controlled possession for much of the day and were in striking distance at the last change.

But Cooney said better ball movement, and a few fumbles were the difference in the final quarter, where the Cats kicked three unanswered goals to run way with the game.

“For three quarters we were right in the game and then they got on top of us a little bit in that last quarter,” Cooney said.

“We were a bit fumbly, they were a bit cleaner than us in the last quarter.

“I thought the effort was there from the boys.

“We’re proud of our efforts in a way, but disappointed because the game was there to be won.”

Just 12 goals were kicked between the two sides in the first three quarters.

“I think both sides were defending the ground pretty well,” Cooney said.

“We were trying our best to work our way through, but Geelong are an experienced team.

“They set up pretty well defensively and we did the same.

“We’ve obviously got some younger guys in our team – but I thought our communication was good, the way we were setting up the ground."

The Bombers now have an extended break before the Anzac Day match with Collingwood on Monday week.