LEADER Nathan Jones has conceded that the Demons missed an opportunity to notch up their fourth win of the season.
Melbourne lost to St Kilda by 25 points at the MCG on Saturday.
It was game on when Sam Blease kicked his second of five goals at the six minute mark of the third quarter. At that point, Melbourne trailed by just four points. But St Kilda answered emphatically with the next seven goals. Jones said it was “really frustrating” third term.
“We were down in all of our key areas and our contested possession clearance. Pressure stats and DI (desire indicators) were down as well, which an experienced team like St Kilda is going to capitalise on that,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“But credit to the boys, we really fought back and we showed some real resilience among the playing group.
“It might happen for the entire game, but the effort can’t be questioned and we’ve got to keep digging in there and it might turn around.”
But Melbourne fought back with eight goals to four in the last stanza, which was a show of character when it could’ve been blown away further.
The Demons reeled in 56-point deficit two minutes into the final quarter by more than half in the finish.
Jones said the Demons “went back to basics and did the simple things well” in the final term.
“We changed a few things, but the foundation of how we’re trying to play was really there.
“Even for Neville Jetta to go back with the flight of the ball epitomised the resilience and the fight that we’ve got - we’re going to go right to the line.
“We were really hard on the inside in the contested area, and we ended up breaking even in the clearances for the whole game. It showed that, with one lapse in the game against a team like St Kilda, they’ll pile on eight goals like they did.”
After falling short to St Kilda by 18 points in round five, Jones said Melbourne entered the clash with confidence. A 42-point win over Gold Coast Suns last round also helped its belief.
“There’s no doubt, we were really confident going in,” he said.
“The Saints really came out firing [in the first quarter] and kicked four goals early, but it was a credit to our boys that, even though we didn’t score, we held them from scoring for 20 or 30 minutes with our defence.
“That was a credit to the boys for digging in, and that’s part of our culture that we’re trying to build - it’s just disappointing that we can’t win those closer ones.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction, and I’m really happy since the bye with how the boys have gone up another level in trying to improve. We’ve just got to keep working hard at it, and I think it’ll turn around.”
Jones continued his outstanding season against St Kilda, and was again one of his side’s best.
He had 26 disposals against the Saints and said he was pleased to with his game, given he had two quality opponents.
“Jack Steven came to me early and then Leigh Montagna in the second half, so they’re a couple of guys who performed locked down, tagging roles on me, which is tough,” he said.
“But it was good having that experience and having those guys come to me.
“I really enjoyed the challenge, but it was good to be able to get a kick, and more importantly it’s good to be able to continue to play my role for the team. Hopefully we can get the results.”
Jones said he had relished being in the leadership group this year, and was determined as ever to help Melbourne turn its fortunes around.
“It means a lot to me, particularly with signing on for three years. I’m only 24, but in terms of games experience, I’ve got a lot,” he said.
“Even though my age is relatively young, it’s up to guys like me, and Grimesy (Jack Grimes), Trenners (Jack Trengove) and Mitchy [Clark] and Chippa (James Frawley) in the whole leadership group to stand up.
“We’ve got to try and draw more guys in, and I’m really excited by where the footy club is heading and where Neeldy (Mark Neeld) and Craigy (Neil Craig) and the rest of the coaches are trying to push us.
“I think we’re on the right track, so we’re trying to develop a lot in that area, because it’s something that we really need. I just want to be part of a winning Melbourne team and a successful Melbourne team.”
Melbourne lost to St Kilda by 25 points at the MCG on Saturday.
It was game on when Sam Blease kicked his second of five goals at the six minute mark of the third quarter. At that point, Melbourne trailed by just four points. But St Kilda answered emphatically with the next seven goals. Jones said it was “really frustrating” third term.
“We were down in all of our key areas and our contested possession clearance. Pressure stats and DI (desire indicators) were down as well, which an experienced team like St Kilda is going to capitalise on that,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“But credit to the boys, we really fought back and we showed some real resilience among the playing group.
“It might happen for the entire game, but the effort can’t be questioned and we’ve got to keep digging in there and it might turn around.”
But Melbourne fought back with eight goals to four in the last stanza, which was a show of character when it could’ve been blown away further.
The Demons reeled in 56-point deficit two minutes into the final quarter by more than half in the finish.
Jones said the Demons “went back to basics and did the simple things well” in the final term.
“We changed a few things, but the foundation of how we’re trying to play was really there.
“Even for Neville Jetta to go back with the flight of the ball epitomised the resilience and the fight that we’ve got - we’re going to go right to the line.
“We were really hard on the inside in the contested area, and we ended up breaking even in the clearances for the whole game. It showed that, with one lapse in the game against a team like St Kilda, they’ll pile on eight goals like they did.”
After falling short to St Kilda by 18 points in round five, Jones said Melbourne entered the clash with confidence. A 42-point win over Gold Coast Suns last round also helped its belief.
“There’s no doubt, we were really confident going in,” he said.
“The Saints really came out firing [in the first quarter] and kicked four goals early, but it was a credit to our boys that, even though we didn’t score, we held them from scoring for 20 or 30 minutes with our defence.
“That was a credit to the boys for digging in, and that’s part of our culture that we’re trying to build - it’s just disappointing that we can’t win those closer ones.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction, and I’m really happy since the bye with how the boys have gone up another level in trying to improve. We’ve just got to keep working hard at it, and I think it’ll turn around.”
Jones continued his outstanding season against St Kilda, and was again one of his side’s best.
He had 26 disposals against the Saints and said he was pleased to with his game, given he had two quality opponents.
“Jack Steven came to me early and then Leigh Montagna in the second half, so they’re a couple of guys who performed locked down, tagging roles on me, which is tough,” he said.
“But it was good having that experience and having those guys come to me.
“I really enjoyed the challenge, but it was good to be able to get a kick, and more importantly it’s good to be able to continue to play my role for the team. Hopefully we can get the results.”
Jones said he had relished being in the leadership group this year, and was determined as ever to help Melbourne turn its fortunes around.
“It means a lot to me, particularly with signing on for three years. I’m only 24, but in terms of games experience, I’ve got a lot,” he said.
“Even though my age is relatively young, it’s up to guys like me, and Grimesy (Jack Grimes), Trenners (Jack Trengove) and Mitchy [Clark] and Chippa (James Frawley) in the whole leadership group to stand up.
“We’ve got to try and draw more guys in, and I’m really excited by where the footy club is heading and where Neeldy (Mark Neeld) and Craigy (Neil Craig) and the rest of the coaches are trying to push us.
“I think we’re on the right track, so we’re trying to develop a lot in that area, because it’s something that we really need. I just want to be part of a winning Melbourne team and a successful Melbourne team.”
