Forward Jeremy Howe conceded his team had found it difficult to counter Hawthorn's high possession game in the 79-point loss.
He said the Demons intended to be patient and wait for the chance to force a turnover. "One turnover is all it takes," said Howe.
But few came. When confronted with an opposition passing it back and forth the Demons rushed in early and opened up space in the corridor and behind them. Hawthorn took full advantage.
Howe suggested the Demons intended to win the contested ball and then get it in long and quick to the forward line. But when anyone wearing red and blue won the footy, they spilled it, or failed to pass it from one teammate to another, or scrubbed the kick.
At times it looked like the Demons were in one massive egg and spoon race when they rushed out of a pack, while, by contrast, the Hawks were offering silver service.
Lessons were piling on top of each other quicker than it takes for the morning alarm to go off on a Monday.
"They were finding a way to get it out and we were getting locked in and holding the ball," said Howe.
Before the 6pm news had started the Demons were 38 points behind in a game that had started at 5.40pm.
"I just think it was the reaction time of the boys was a bit late so we were working our way into quarters where against good sides you just can't do that," said Howe.
Finding out now the variety of challenges this team faces is not all bad news though for Melbourne. Transition takes time, hard work, resilience and patience. It's the third round of the NAB Cup under a new coach and the team is in the early stages of implementing a new game-plan with a young team.
While Howe is a high flier who showed his enormous leap and aerial skills twice on the night, when it comes to football he still uses his surname more as a question than a statement.
He has played just 13 games and as Mark Neeld - who was relatively pleased with Howe's effort - said after the game, the young Tasmanian provides a highlight reel but needs to be more consistent.
Consistency will come to the talented 21-year-old who admits he is fitter and more prepared now than when he was coming into his debut season.
He is also playing alongside some teammates such as Mitch Clark for the first time. Jack Watts is in that forward mix too. Time should see them function effectively as a unit. Howe, who kicked 18 goals in 2011, says they are off to a reasonable start inside 50.
"We want to make it a big focus with our communication because we are going to have a lot of boys who will be rotating through our forward line this year," said Howe. "I think having those boys down there … everyone was pretty confident with where they had to be and the voice was up which was good."
From 37 inside 50s, Melbourne scored 14 times (a 37 per cent conversion rate). Howe was strong while Clark competed hard in the air and Watts continued to work hard. A crumbing forward that can consistently find his way under the talls needs to be found but the future forward of centre looks bright for the Demons.
So the Demons might have Howe and Watts but after the disappointing night when remains an impossible question to answer.
