MIDFIELDER Jack Viney says Melbourne’s fourth quarter capitulation was a disappointing end to Saturday night’s match against the West Coast Eagles.
Trailing by 20 points at the final change, Melbourne conceded six goals in the fourth quarter to lose by 54 points.
Viney said Melbourne’s poor turnovers against a hard-running Eagles side had ultimately proved costly.
“We were pretty close and in it at three quarter time even though we weren’t playing great footy, so there was the opportunity there to play a good last quarter and we didn’t do that,” he told Dee TV.
“With the way they like to play – zoning off – we can’t afford to give them the ball with uncontested errors.
“So that’s probably what ended up killing us in the end, so [that’s] disappointing.”
While Melbourne showed some good patches of form throughout the game, Viney said his side’s inability to dictate the play for long periods allowed their opposition to set the agenda.
“I think when we get our contested ball right, we’re in the game and we get it back on our terms,” Viney said.
“But we didn’t do it for long enough and, like I said, they’re a zoning team and if you just kick it back to them, we’re out of position and they just kick easy goals.
“We played how they wanted to play for most of the day and [when that happens], you get the result you get.
Viney praised the Eagles’ performance and said the game had proven to be a learning experience for his side.
“It’s no coincidence that they’re a good team and they’re up [there] on the ladder,” Viney said.
“They’re a good footy side and we’ve learned a lot from them and how they like to play.
“It’s a learning experience – we’ll learn from them, reset and go again for next week.”
Viney, who has consistently lined up against a quality opposition midfielder in 2015, played on Eagle Luke Shuey and said it was a challenging match-up.
“I’m going alright, I’m coming into games with a role and I enjoy that,” he said.
“I had Shuey and it was hard because Shuey and Priddis work pretty well together and do plenty of blocking and Shuey [also] goes and plays forward.
“It was interesting and a bit different to last week’s role (against Joel Selwood) but [I’ve got] plenty to learn.”
Having been sidelined for a significant chunk of the season with a fractured fibula, Viney said he was pleased with how he was bouncing back from injury.
“I guess coming off a six week injury, I’m happy with the momentum I’ve built up since I’ve come back,” he said.
“I’m not satisfied yet and I’ve got plenty of work to go so I’m just working hard every week and trying to get better and become a good player.”