MELBOURNE'S last-quarter collapse against Brisbane was a result of the mental scars caused by almost eight years of losing seasons, according to coach Paul Roos.
After leading by 14 points early in the final term, the Demons conceded the last six goals to fall to a 23-point loss.
Conceding leads late in the game is a trend that continues to hinder the Demons' progress and Roos remains unclear as to why it happens with such regularity.
"There's clearly some who might not be able to get over what's happened here in the past," Roos said.
"You've got to go back to the mindset and we're waiting to get beaten. Of course if you're waiting to get beaten, generally what happens is that you get beaten."
Roos became exasperated when describing his players' inability to carry out the most basic of skills, such as handballing five metres to a teammate.
"Today was as frustrating a game of footy as I've ever seen," Roos said.
"I haven't seen anything like that before in my time.
"The mistakes were extraordinary. Extraordinary."
Roos agreed the task of instilling mental belief into his players' minds was much harder than he had envisaged.
"The winning component, definitely. There's a willingness to improve and there's a willingness to comply," Roos said.
"But I think that lack of belief that we can win, or we're capable of winning, is far, far greater than what I'd imagined it could possibly be."
Melbourne kicked 6.15 for the match and managed just 34 inside 50s to the Lions' 60.
The Demons' scoring troubles have been well documented, with the club the only team in the competition yet to kick a score above 100 points in a match this season.
Roos again harked back to the terrible skill level his team exhibited as to why it struggles to kick a winning score.
"For us today, how many times would we have gone forward and the next thing you know, you go, 'blimey Charlie, how'd they (the Lions) get hold of that'," he said.
"Inside 50s today were clearly a result of deplorable skills."
The Demons were dealt a significant blow leading into the game, with co-captain Jack Grimes pulling out of the side after injuring his hamstring at training.
Roos is yet to receive an updated medical report on Grimes, but said he could miss up to two weeks with the injury.
Luke Tapscott (bone bruising in his knee) will be assessed this week after being subbed out of the game in the third quarter.
