IT MIGHT have been a NAB Cup match, but try telling that to young leader Jack Grimes, who was frustrated by Melbourne’s 39-point loss to Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.

Grimes said he was very disappointed not to be progressing into the third round of the pre-season competition.

“It’s another game where you pull on the Melbourne footy club jumper and you represent your club. You go out to win - nothing else,” he said adamantly.

“On top of that, we wanted to put in place what we practiced over the pre-season and it didn’t come together tonight, so everyone is disappointed.

“It was a frustrating game. We only got going in two or three minute spurts. We never really got our game going. We played on their terms a lot and defended for most of the game.”

Grimes said the Demons didn’t back themselves enough, which was a major reason for the loss.

“I think it showed tonight that when we really take the game on, we go at it and when we take a few risks, it pays off,” he said.

“But when we play that slow footy and we get caught going backwards and sideways, then we turn the ball over.

“We just need to get the confidence to take a few risks, because that’s what really paid off for us.”

Individually, Grimes was among Melbourne’s best, racking up 24 disposals and nine rebound 50s. But even he conceded it was hard work in Melbourne’s defence.

“It was tough down in the backline, because the ball was coming down a fair bit and there were a few guys rotating through there,” he said.

“Even through the backline we found it hard. A lot of the game, we felt as though we were chasing our man around.

“No doubt we’ll bounce back next week. We’ll be making sure we put in place the things we didn’t do today in place next week.”