VICE captain Nathan Jones says the 2013 season was an emotional rollercoaster - in many ways, akin to Groundhog Day.

Speaking post-match after Melbourne’s final match of the season - a 20 point loss to the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium - Jones said it had been an extremely trying year in which to be involved. 

“There’s a whole range of emotions about how you feel with the year that we’ve had – there’s been so much stuff going on [with] coaches, CEOs, presidents [coming and going] and the No. 1 thing, our results [not up to standard]. So you feel for the fans,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“In particular, trying to pick yourself up week after week. You recover and then it’s almost two days of depression after the game. You’ve got to find something to start again and get the week going.

“It feels like Groundhog Day, week after week, and particularly when you’re not winning, it’s hard to generate that excitement and keep the positivity of the group.”

Jones praised the players for remaining tight against the odds.

“I think it’s a credit to us that at no stage did we fracture. Earlier in the year, that was a key focus for us – not to let our guard down and splinter as a group. We wanted to stay strong, and I think we did,” he said.

“Everyone, in particular staff and players on game day, put so much into it, week after week, and when you don’t get the results, you feel for the fans, because on the flipside – that’s what they’re preparing for every week.

“They’re rolling through the gates as supporters, and some of the stuff we served up, especially in the first half of the year with the losses were very demoralising as a footy club.”

Jones said 2013 was a test of character for the players, but he is adamant it will hold them in good stead for the future.

“It was a real test for the boys and a chance to build some resilience, and I think this year we got a bit out of it, in particular the last eight weeks. But from here, we rest up and reload and go again,” he said.

“When your backs are to the wall, you really have the true test of the group and it really tests the character. Midway through the year, we could’ve rolled over and said ‘we’ve had enough’, particularly with the some of the losses we had.

“We’ve got to find something and start again and work on our deficiencies - and here we go again. We’ll reload now and restart and get the boys firing back up and get stuck into it, in another couple of months. Hopefully, there are more exciting times ahead.”

Reflecting on the loss, Jones said it was a frustrating match, as the Demons won three quarters, but had a shocker in the second term, when the Bulldogs booted nine goals to two.

“It was 11 goals to seven [in our favour], if you take out that patch in the second quarter, our way,” he said.

“It sounds like déjà vu or Groundhog Day – and it was probably the story of our year really. It was that 15 minute patch where we were down by a ridiculous amount in contested possessions, so when that happens, it’s a huge amount of momentum their way.

“Credit to them – they set the standard in that area. They’re in the top two in contested ball and clearance area, so it was a big challenge for us.”

Still, Jones was pleased the Demons didn’t capitulate, instead booting seven goals to three in the second half.

“The boys came out pretty pumped up, and we swung the momentum back in our favour and it was something positive to take away from that,” he said.

“Overall, it was super disappointing to have another loss and be back where we’ve been all year.”