YOUNG leader Jack Grimes concedes Melbourne was “pretty disappointed” with its NAB Cup/Challenge campaign.
After starting off with a bang - two impressive victories on the road against Adelaide and Port Adelaide respectively - the Demons dropped their second round NAB Cup clash to Essendon. The Dees then went down to Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn in their two NAB Challenge matches.
Grimes said the promising start against the two South Australian-based teams at AAMI Stadium ended with some frustrating performances.
“We started well against Adelaide and Port Adelaide - even our intra-club hit-out before then was good - but the Essendon game we dropped off and our intensity wasn’t right there,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“Again, the Brisbane game was similar and we dropped off and made too many skill errors. We lost that game and were never really in it.
“And against Hawthorn, we were really good in the first quarter, but then we probably cruised a bit and obviously you can’t do that.”
Grimes said the period between now and round one will be important for the team.
“You start getting little niggles now like everybody does, but the next couple of weeks is an opportunity to get your body right and ready to go for round one,” he said.
“We’ll get some solid training in and we’ve also got some community activities and clinics, plus some time off, so it will be good.”
Grimes, who was elevated to the club’s leadership group this year, said he is already relishing the experience.
“It’s been really good. All of the boys have been really supportive, but I’m just really trying to learn as much as I can off Greeny (Brad Green) and Beamer (Brent Moloney) and those sorts of guys, because they lead so well,” he said.
“Watching them and observing them and being able to go to those leadership meetings are important. It’s good to have an input.
“But at the same time, I want to lead as much as I can - but it’s a long, slow process. I’ve still got to focus on my part in the team like everyone else, but I’m just really looking forward to round one.”
