Canterbury shaded them in the second half to win the NPC final 36-28 at a packed Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday.
Otago had led 14-10 at the break.
Moments following the defeat, the Otago coaching staff made their way down from the coaching box to join their players.
They had to make their way through a sea of Canterbury fans who were using the same stairwell to inch closer to their heroes.
Coach Mark Brown led the way, wading through the bodies with gentle purpose.
Assistant coaches Will Henry and Ryan Bambry were tucked in behind.
Henry had his head down, focused on the next step forward.
Bambry paused to wait for progress. He placed his hands on his hips and let out a sigh.
They were shoulder-to-shoulder with the Canterbury horde.
But this was no walk of shame.
Otago had a marvellous season.
They won seven games in a row to reach their first final in 20 years, and they were hoping to end their title drought, which stretched back another seven years to 1998.
This season should be remembered fondly.
But it is hard to shake that image of the Otago management all dealing with disappointment in their own way.
Despair would be the wrong word.
Deflated is probably closer to the mark.
Glum might nail it.
But those emotions were also underpinned by pride, Brown said.
"It's an incredible day. The number of our supporters who travelled here to support us was awesome," he said.
"I'm very proud of that.
Brown will have to do without the likes of fullback Sam Gilbert, who is off to Ireland, and centre Thomas Umaga-Jensen, who has signed with a Japanese team.
They were two of Otago's best in the final.
