WHEN a game ends with scores level, there is often an unusual feeling felt among both sides.

Combine this with an empty stadium and you create a ‘flat’ atmosphere, according to Melbourne coach, Simon Goodwin.

“The finish was a bit surreal," Goodwin told press post-match.

"It was certainly a very weird atmosphere, there's no question, without playing in front of a crowd for our home game.

"Our supporters and fans give us so much and obviously with a drawn game that just made it even flatter at the end."

Sitting atop the ladder heading into the clash, Melbourne was left feeling disappointed at its inability to topple over the 17th-placed side Hawthorn, in the dying minutes of the game.

“But we just didn’t play the way we wanted to play for long enough.

“I think we’ve got some pretty high expectations of how we’d like to play and certainly our intensity and urgency in the areas we really want to build our footy club on, weren’t to the level.”

With just five rounds left before finals, Goodwin is looking at what the side can take away from the clash with Hawks.

“It’s another lesson for us in terms of what's required to continually win all the time, and this is really about building a winning culture," Goodwin said.

"That's something we've been trying to develop and we just weren't ruthless enough tonight in the areas that we really value."

Melbourne remains at the top of the ladder after the draw, sitting two points clear of Western Bulldogs.

To hear more from Goodwin after the Round 18 draw, watch the video below.