JARRED Moore conceded there were mixed emotions after his side got so close to Geelong, before losing to the reigning premiers by 42 points at Skilled Stadium on Saturday.

Moore said pride and disappointment came to the fore, as the Swans pushed the Cats for most of the match after quarter-time, before dropping away during red-time in the final term.

"There is a little bit of both. You test yourself against the best team in the competition at their home ground and at three quarter-time we've matched it with them - and they're the benchmark - but obviously we've still got a little way to go," Moore told sydneyswans.com.au.

"There are some positives that we can definitely match it with Geelong, but obviously we didn't play four quarters of footy - we played two - and it cost us in the end.

"In the last quarter, we got smashed at the stoppages and they just ran away with it and with a team like Geelong, you can't let them have an inch and they showed it on the scoreboard in the last quarter."

After the Cats dominated the opening term, gaining a five-goal lead, Moore said coach Paul Roos told the Swans to back themselves at every opportunity, which ultimately got them back in the contest.

"[He just wanted us to be] more accountable and basically wanted us to play the way we wanted to play. We believed if we kept to our structures, we could match it with them," Moore said.

"We worked hard for the second and third quarters, so it was disappointing we let it slip in the last quarter. We need to play four quarters of footy, otherwise we'll get run-over like we did."

The 23-year-old played his 14th AFL match against the Cats and impressed with a couple of goals.

"It was good to get a couple of goals. One was a pretty cheap goal, but I was disappointed I couldn't kick another one, because I had another shot - it was a disappointing day for most of us," Moore said.

He has now played all five matches for the Swans in 2008 and believes he is starting to gain the belief needed at the highest level.

"It gives you a bit of confidence, but I've definitely been more consistent this year," Moore said.

"This is my fourth year, so I'm trying to take a bit more load and that's helped me and I've obviously been around the system and I know what's going on, so I know the type of role they (the coaching staff) want me to do.

"I don't care where I play - whether it's in the midfield or up forward - it doesn't worry me."