CO-CAPTAIN Jack Grimes says the review of Melbourne’s opening round loss to Brisbane Lions reaffirmed the team’s faith in coach Mark Neeld’s game plan.

Grime said the Demons had a lot of goals kicked from stoppages, and it was their setups and structures which fell apart.

“We know that most of the goals that were kicked against us were very preventable, if we were doing what they asked us to do,” he said.

“We’re not going to shy away from the fact that it was a very disappointing day for all involved with the Melbourne footy club and us players and coaches have put our hands up for it.

“We’ve got a massive challenge this week that we’re looking forward to.”

Grimes said that adapting to Neeld’s game plan and style would take time.

“We know that we’re not going to get it perfect and 100 per cent right in the first game of the year,” he said.

“It’s going to take time, and we’ll develop it through the year.

“We got a lot of confidence from it, because we showed that when we got it wrong was when we got scored against, and when we got it right, we didn’t, so we’re pretty confident going into this week.”

Grimes said that this Saturday’s clash against West Coast would be “a very different feeling “.

“It’s almost like you just go over there and have a crack and not worry about the consequences, and that’s almost when teams play their best footy, so we’ll wait and see,” he said.

Grimes said the players were optimistic about the year ahead.

The defender/midfielder said it was ridiculous to suggest that Neeld had lost the players.

Instead, he said it was refreshing to hear a coach speak honestly, rather than in clichés.

“He’s probably the first coach in a while to be honest like that after a game and he’s copping it for it,” Grimes said.

“It’s pretty unfair I think, but I think it’s great, and we just love that he’s open and honest.

“We know where we stand, because he’s honest and that’s the way he is.”