JACK Viney says his side’s effort in the contest was what proved most costly against a clean and crisp Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.

The Demons, who fell by 33 points at the Gabba, were clearly outplayed in the middle, unable to put a stop to the Lions’ momentum.

“They beat us up around the ball in clearances and in contested possessions,” Viney told Melbourne Media.

“We knew that was going to be pretty much where the game was going to be won – around stoppages, clearances and contested ball tackle numbers.

“That’s what we got done on today.”

Brisbane registered 14 more clearances and 27 more contested possessions, while it also won the tackle count by 18 in a dominant performance on its home deck.

Although the Demons had been gradually improving in their contested game this season, the co-captain admitted the effort on the road was a step backwards.

“It was a focus coming into this game,” Viney said.

“We knew it was going to be a contested game and for what ever reasons, we couldn’t get the job done and improve in that area.”

But it was a lack of fundamentals that further exposed the red and blue, with unforced errors and efficiency in front of goal continuing to hinder their game.  

“It really lets us down, going forward with the football,” Viney said.

“On the back, it provided them (Brisbane) with the opportunities to score.

“It’s very costly and something that we can’t do consistently, and it hurt us pretty bad today.”

Despite just four wins for the season and remaining in 16^th position on the ladder, Viney says there’s still plenty to play for.

“If you’ve got any kind of competitive bone in your body, you fight out to the end,” he said.

“There is always something to gain. We certainly won’t be (taking the) foot off the pedal.”

The Demons will now prepare to take on Carlton, next Sunday at the MCG.