The pair were late withdrawals for the round seven game; Black suffering with the early signs of osteitis pubis and Brown with a quad muscle injury.
“It was a big task…when so much of your leadership isn’t there and one of your power forwards isn’t there it’s easy to emotionally give it away,” Matthews said.
“I think this team has a belief that if it does the right things they can compete against anybody. Nothing guarantees you winning but you’re capable of matching up on anyone.
"This same group of players, two years ago, would have got smashed down here. There’s been a lot of growth in a lot of players that aren’t necessarily your household names.”
Trailing by just five points going into the final term, the Lions’ couldn’t match the Cats’ intensity in the final quarter and were outscored by four goals to one.
Matthews believes the quick turn around time from last week’s game against Melbourne could have contributed to their last quarter fade out.
“We had an extremely hot Sunday afternoon last week and a short break. That might have been a factor. It just might have been that Geelong can play high tempo for longer than our group can at this stage of their development
"We looked more fatigued than they did in the end and they got us in the last ten minutes.”
The coach took the opportunity single out Jared Brennan, who he believes is a much matured player, for special praise.
“We’ve always thought that Jared’s late twenties would be better than his early twenties. That’s why we were very keen to keep him last summer when Essendon tried to recruit him.
"Some players are at their peak after two or three years, he’s taken a lot of years but he’s now playing in a manner that is[consistent]. Today’s probably one of his better games.”
Matthews says changes in his personal life have contributed to his on-field development.
“He’s a father… so life changes. You’re a different person at 25 than you are at 20 and I think there’s a lot of good footy to come.”
