JEREMY Howe says Melbourne’s review of its frustrating two-point loss to St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday reinforced that it was “a tough pill to swallow” and that it was a “very disappointing” result.  

Speaking to Dee TV shortly after the review of the match on Tuesday, Howe said there were some mixed moments from the analysis.

“There were a lot of positives out of it (the review). We played some good [football] and so did they, and it was a hard, contested game,” he said.

“The frustrating thing was that the last 40-second period – we really let ourselves down by not competing and not playing the way we were for the rest of the game.

“We coughed up an easy goal at the end there and if you don’t play all the way through to the last minute, it’s going to cost you and that’s what happened to us on the weekend.”

Howe, who kicked what appeared to be the match-winning goal with 41 seconds left in the match, was soon upstaged by St Kilda midfielder Leigh Montagna, who put the Saints in front by two points with 19 seconds remaining.

But the high-flying Tasmanian thought there was “three or four minutes” after Montagna kicked the goal.

“When you look at the clock, we probably didn’t take into consideration that there were only two goals kicked for the quarter,” he said.

“It’s not something you look into, but the last effort that led up to that Montagna goal wasn’t good enough. Even if we had numbers behind the ball, like we should’ve in the first place, there was every chance they still would’ve kicked it.

“It just wasn’t good enough.”

Meanwhile, Howe, who has returned to attack after playing down back in recent times, said it was enjoyable to be back in front of goal.  

“You’ve got the likes of Pedo (Cam Pedersen) competing well down there, but he was stiff on the weekend to hurt his wrist, but playing next to big [Jesse] Hogan is great and there is good energy down there,” he said.

“I’m just enjoying trying to contribute. I’ve played in the backline for a bit over 12 months now and I’ve enjoyed my time down there.

“I feel like that’s helped me go back in the forward line also – [in terms] of how to work and catch the backs off guard.”

Howe acknowledged this season had some tough moments, but he was confident his second half of the year was building strongly.

“I was pretty slow to start with. Round one was pretty good and then I tailed off a few games there,’ he said.

“I’ve just got to get to as many contests as I can. I feel like when I’m in contests, I’m good enough. I’m just working on that at the moment with Frosty (Dan McPherson), Twig (Jade Rawlings) and Goody (Simon Goodwin) – all three of the coaches.

“I’m trying to work keeping it pretty simple with my work rate and contests – I believe that keeps me in the game.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash against Geelong at the Cattery, Howe said it was a great opportunity for Melbourne to test itself against a quality team at a challenging venue.

“It’s always a tough gig to go down and play at Simonds [Stadium],” he said.

“Geelong is starting to play some pretty good footy and … we’ve shown in games [that we can kick] five or six unanswered goals against good teams as well – we just need to be able to be consistent in games.

“It’s going to be a big game for them with [Corey] Enright’s 300^th, but we’ve got to go down there and keep it simple. I think we’re good around the contest when we chase and tackle, and use the ball well. If we can do that consistently enough, I think we’re a massive chance.”