WHILE Melbourne coach Mark Neeld said "losing is tough", he admits his disappointment will be greater if the Demons return to play Geelong at Simonds Stadium in a couple of years time and get the same result.

Describing the Cats at home as the toughest road trip in football, Neeld said he was happy with the Melbourne players' effort in the 43-point loss and their willingness to stick to the plan.

"[The] effort to play to our way was pretty good. Geelong is a slick side; they have been doing it for ages. There were times there we could not defend their ball movement. They do it well," said Neeld.

With the Demons drawing within 14 points in the third quarter, Neeld said he was pleased that Melbourne had some momentum in the game at times.

"There are some things we are starting to see that we are pleased with," said Neeld.

One of the positives was the performance of recruit Mitch Clark, who kicked four goals in the game. He continues to impress up forward, competing hard after missing last week with a neck injury.

Clark said the result washed away any memories of last year's 186-point loss for those players who were involved.

"Simonds Stadium won't hold any fears for the boys, that is for sure," said Clark.

Melbourne was again thrashed in the possession count (with 124 fewer disposals), although they equalled Geelong in contested possessions. However Neeld said the team would only get better in that area through continual education.

"[It's] not a matter of getting angry about [it]," said Neeld. "Keep educating, keep putting them out there, keep showing them what it looks like when we do it well. There were times last week and this week where we got out and used the ball well. [It's] just a matter of working through that."

The performance of young defender Tom McDonald on young Cat Mitch Brown pleased Neeld. For the second week in succession, the 19-year-old was one of the Demons' better players. Neeld said McDonald's effort to back up after playing on St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt the week before made his performance even more meritorious.

"Often in your second game it can be a let down, but he had the opportunity to play on one of his peers and he still got up mentally but he has a go [and] runs off," said Neeld.

Clark, who took a brilliant, high-flying mark in the last quarter to show he had no mental scars from his horrible landing against the Bulldogs when he was knocked out, said the team was looking forward to its game against Hawthorn on Friday night.

"We're making improvements that is for sure," said Clark. "[We] need to keep turning up. [We have] got a Friday night game and if you can't get up for Friday night footy, as Neeldy said, then you have chosen the wrong career."