ANGUS Brayshaw says Melbourne’s performance against Port Adelaide at Traeger Park on Saturday was simply “a tale of two halves”.

The outstanding young Demon said it was an incredibly frustrating day, given Melbourne led by 24 points in the second term, before being blown away to lose by 61 points.

“The first half showed we played really well and we showed what we can do and how our brand looks against a quality opposition,” he told Dee TV.

“It then dropped off and we started playing as individuals and not as a team and they got a run on.

“Roosy (Paul Roos) summed it up pretty well post-game – we just capitulated and took a step backwards in the second half, so it’s disappointing.”

Brayshaw said the Demons had a clear focus of what they needed to do entering the match, but they were unable to follow it through. 

“We carried it over into the first quarter and some of the second quarter,” he said.

“But what really turned the game was that [we] just allowed [Port Adelaide] to get those short hit-up leads and easy uncontested possessions, which they love to do. That’s the brand they like to play – quick, flowing, high possession footy.

“Once we let them start doing that, it just got a bit out of hand from there and they surged really well and put scoreboard pressure on from there, so it was disappointing.

“We’ve just got to take the positives away in situations like that. The first quarter and a half was really good from us, so that’s what we’ve just got to try and build on.”

Brayshaw said his side simply couldn’t break Port Adelaide’s momentum, which ultimately cost Melbourne the match.

“What our whole game’s based on is going back to the contest, winning the ball and making the tackle,” he said.

“If you’ve got the ball, then the opposition can’t have momentum and that’s the one thing that Roosy tried to drill home – take the momentum back, win the ball and play our role. It’s a clear message, which should make it easy.

“We’re still improving as a team and little blips like this [will happen along the way]. But I think we showed we’re still on the right track with that first quarter and a half, so you’ve got to take the positives away from it.”