Walyalup Senior Coach Justin Longmuir has praised his playing group for handling the dying stages of the game professionally as they snatched a draw in the final moments of the game against reigning premiers Collingwood.

“They were really switched onto what was going on,” Longmuir said.

“This week, we practised that scenario to win the game, and the players nailed it.

“It was a good kick by Pearce (to reduce the margin to one) and a good lead coming out of the goal square, and he finished his work off really well.

“Probably the main message to the players after the game was, when our mindset was in the right space tonight, we challenged them.”

Walyalup had 37 more handballs than Collingwood at the end of play, with Longmuir admitting at times the players overused the ball.

“I think we’re finding it hard at times to get the balance between using our numbers around the ball and trusting that our forwards are going to get it done,” Longmuir said.

“When we actually got it in there (inside 50), got deep entries, got a contest on the ball and got it to ground level, we actually pressured them really well and got those repeat entries.

“So we just need to find that balance.”

After going goalless in the third term, Walyalup remained in the contest with Longmuir crediting the never die attitude shown by the group.

“We believe we’re a fit team, and we’re a team that wants to be known as a fight to the end side as well, so I think that was on display tonight,” Longmuir said.

The drawn result moves Walyalup to sixth place on the ladder with other fixtures yet to play out what the top eight will look like by the end of the round.

Walyalup will play Melbourne next Sunday in Alice Springs.