Speaking post-match, Neeld said the Demons tried several things during the third quarter, but were unable to quell Richmond’s outstanding term.
“Their top line players got their hands on the footy and cleared the footy, and we were unable to do that,” he said.
“We tried to do a few things and a couple of tactics … and none worked.”
Aside from Melbourne’s poor third quarter, Neeld said Melbourne displayed some encouraging signs.
“We were able to hold up our game styles and structures for three quarters, and we were certainly in the game at half-time - we were eight points behind,” he said.
“In the last quarter, I know all the people say ‘yeah, the sting goes out of the game and the speed goes out of the game’ and that’s true.
“I thought there was a lot of resolve shown by us to even it on the scoreboard.”
Although Neeld stressed that he felt for the Melbourne members, supporters and sponsors, he said the morale remained upbeat internally.
“It’s really good,” he said.
“We’ve had some really good training weeks over the past month, and full credit to the players.
“But the players know where we’re at - we’re playing a young group here.”
Meanwhile, Neeld indicated that co-captain Jack Grimes would be fine for round four, despite crashing heavily to the ground after he laid a tackle on Richmond’s Daniel Jackson.
“He’s ok. [He suffered] a heavy knock and the medical staff didn’t go too in-depth straight after the game with the senior coach,” he said.
“I said ‘how’s Grimesy’ [and I was told] ‘Neeldy he’s fine, he’s had a heavy knock and he’ll be all right’ and then it was move onto the next thing.”
