COACH Neil Craig says he was pleased with three quarters against the Western Bulldogs, except a disappointing second term, when the Dogs booted nine goals to two, which ultimately cost the Demons a 20 point loss.

Melbourne managed to win the first, third and fourth quarter, but dropped the second term by a whopping 45 points. Craig said his side’s contested possession work was poor during this period, which was telling in the wash-up. 

“I thought our first quarter was quite good, but we lost total control …  in the contested ball in the contested ball [and we were] absolutely smashed in that second quarter,” he said.

“You don't necessarily have to win it, but the differential in that second quarter was huge. I think it might have been close to something like 30, which in a game is big, let alone a quarter.”

Craig said he was able to address the issue with his charges at half time, which helped the Demons come back in the second half, when they kicked 7.4 to 3.5.

“I thought our players showed enormous fight, and probably played at a level of intensity in that part of the game that they have not played at since I have been coaching, so it is good for them to experience that and get a taste for it,” he said.

“It is a fine line you think you are really driving in, but there is another level you can go to, and our guys demonstrated that in the third quarter and certainly extended it in the last.

“I think in three quarters [we kicked] 11 to seven goals, but got completely blown away in the second. I did say to the playing group after the game they were true to their word in running to the line and playing the season out, because after that second quarter they had every rationale available to them to just peter away.

“In that aspect they should feel really good about themselves.”