What went wrong in Blue Bombers' third-straight Grey Cup heartbreak?

VANCOUVER — This heartbreak for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers doesn't get easier, no matter how many times they've been in this exact position.

Fifth-straight year in the Grey Cup, third-straight disappointment. The wins in 2019 and 2021 feel further and further away in comparison to three gut-wrenching losses, this one a 41-24 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Argonauts.

It was an outcome that few — save the Argos, of course — saw coming. Sometimes, even the best preparation on an immensely talented team isn't enough.

"It feels pretty bad every time," quarterback Zach Collaros said post-game, as his opponents continued their jubilant celebration on the field. "We've put in a lot of time and work together, so to have it not go your way in the ultimate game is obviously tough."

"It'll keep building to a point where it's awful," head coach Mike O'Shea added.

Sunday's loss was not for lack of trying. The Blue Bombers finished the first quarter with the lead and their defence was pressuring the Argos — an effort led primarily by Willie Jefferson.

The 33-year-old was a force for the Blue Bombers, finishing the game with six tackles, two sacks and one interception at a critical point in the game, turning the fortune for his team after a controversial loose-ball penalty.

"He always shows up, he's always available," O'Shea said about his stalwart defensive end, who probably could have been named the game's MVP had Winnipeg emerged victorious. "He's an amazing leader for us, too. So, loved his game tonight."

In large part thanks to Jefferson, the game was entirely winnable heading into the final stretch of the fourth quarter. So how did it slip through their fingers?

For starters, Collaros was struggling, even before a cut on one of his throwing-hand fingers forced him to the locker room for repairs near the end of the third quarter. He finished the first two quarters 6-for-12 with one interception and was sacked once.

When asked about his first-half interception, Collaros called it "a mistake you can't make with under three minutes left."

Between interceptions, penalties and one costly fumble by Lucky Whitehead, mistakes were aplenty for the Blue Bombers. But, they were able to curb the damage. Until they weren't.

The first throw Collaros made upon his return from his finger injury was an interception. He threw two more interceptions, including a pick-six, before the clock hit zero. All told, 27 of the Argos' 41 points came off turnovers.

"When we watch the tape back, I'm sure we'll feel like we left some stuff out there," Collaros said. "Turnovers are killers, especially ones leading to points."

For all the Grey Cup inexperience, Argonauts' Nick Arbuckle was the more effective quarterback on the field Sunday and was given ample time and space to make the plays he wanted. His two-touchdown, 252-yard performance earned him Grey Cup MVP.

"That's the quarterback way, right? You always feel like if you just did this, things would go the other way," Collaros said when asked how much of this loss he takes on his shoulders. "Right or wrong, it is what it is."

The offence around the veteran quarterback didn't inspire much confidence as the game continued.

This wasn't the team we saw completely dominate Saskatchewan in the West final. Kenny Lawler didn't pose nearly as much of a threat as usual and Brady Oliveira was stymied against one of the league's stingiest defences.

The reigning most outstanding player in the CFL rushed for a garbage-time touchdown and two-point conversion, but he was held to just two significant rushes in the second and third quarters prior to that.

"We're always of the mindset that whatever it's going to take, and we pivot based on what the defence is choosing to do," O'Shea said when asked about Oliveira's game. "Obviously we want Brady to have a great game and, you know, lead us to victory, but sometimes defences have a say in it too."

Ultimately, to borrow a phrase from game MVP Arbuckle, the Blue Bombers lost more plays than they won and weren't able to capitalize on red-zone opportunities when they needed to. For that, it was the team in blue and white, not blue and gold, that hoisted the Grey Cup.

Even though Winnipeg came up short of their final goal, was this a failed season?

O'Shea isn't convinced.

"Anytime you don't win your last game, there's a tendency to view it as a failure, and I don't know about that. It was a hell of a ride this year, quite a different season. We just didn't play our best football at the end."