Grimes said the Demons started well and played with good intensity, but a lapse in the second term proved costly. “We felt like we trapped it in our half and we got off to a good lead. But there was a 15-minute period in the second quarter where we gave away our lead, and we didn’t have enough intensity around the footy,” he said.
“Going into half-time we were reasonably equal, but come the third quarter, the Suns just capitalised on their opportunities a lot more than what we did. It felt like we were having a crack and trying to do the right things with the ball, but it was just paying off a lot better for them than it was for us.
“The Suns were pretty top heavy down in their forward line and we were pretty stretched in our defence with losing Col Garland during the game, and James Frawley before the game. I felt like we fought it out like reasonably well, but towards the end we just couldn’t capitalise.”
In a bid to prepare the side for Round 1, the Demons entered the game with two less rotations than the Suns.
“You don’t like to make excuses but having two less rotations … it was hot out there and their fresher legs were noticeable. They also used the ball better than us and capitalised on their opportunities.”
When asked to touch on some personal highlights, Grimes was quick to commend the efforts of backman Jack Watts.
“I thought Wattsy in the backline was really, really good. Also, James Magner in the midfield was really good, and Matt Jones also had a good game.”
Reflecting on the NAB Cup series, Grimes said the clearest learning was to “keep it consistent over four quarters. Even though we’ve been able to fight our way back to a certain extent, it’s just too costly at the moment. We’ve just got to get that out of our game coming in to Round 1.”
With only two weeks until Melbourne take on Port Adelaide at the MCG on 31 March, Grimes spoke of how important it is for the players to take a “mental break”.
“We have the coming weekend off to go home to our families before the season begins, to freshen up mentally because when we get back into it, it’s a big stretch with game after game so we’ll make the most of it now with this little break,” he said.
However, the break will be short lived.
“The week leading in to Round 1 is a full on week of training. Once we get back from that weekend off it is game on,” Grimes said.
