MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey could not hide his disappointment that retiring skipper James McDonald was not sent out on a high with a victory in his last AFL game.

North Melbourne spoiled Melbourne’s party, holding off numerous challenges to record a 10-point win at the MCG on Sunday night.

Playing his 251st and final match in front of the Demons' faithful, the two-time best and fairest winner received a guard of honour before the match with hundreds of youngsters wearing his No.23.

“It’s really disappointing we couldn’t send him off today,” Bailey said.

“The boys had their chances but the cards didn’t fall our way.”

Bailey said no-one could underestimate the impact McDonald has had at the football club, with his leadership coming to the fore in the dark times of recent years.

“His contribution to the Melbourne Football Club for the whole 251 games he has played and certainly the last three years… his leadership and his ability to hold the group together when we were really struggling was a credit to him,” he said.

Bailey highlighted Melbourne's inability to take their chances when the game was in the balance as the reason his side couldn’t get over the line, with a lack of poise and experience under pressure handing the initiative to the Roos.

“We had our chances during the game but we coughed up some chances in front of goal,” he said.

“North’s pressure was there and [they] started the game three goals to zero… we couldn’t get our hands on the ball. We worked our way back into the game but lesson learnt today.”

The Dees were also dealt a blow in the third quarter with Nathan Jones involved in a crunching collision backing back into oncoming Roos forward Aaron Edwards.

Jones was believed to have suffered a broken vertebrae in the incident, however more will be known on the extent of the injury in the next 24 hours.

“It seemed to be Nathan being courageous, putting his body on the line and the contest happened,” Bailey said.

“He is a pretty courageous player - I hope he’s alright.”

The young Demons will receive a well-earned rest before undergoing their review of season 2010, with Bailey already looking forward to their upcoming clash in China against the Brisbane Lions.

“We have a chance to take our playing group over there. It is a platform for us starting the pre-season and looking forward to next year,” he said.