Jake Melksham felt ‘sick in the guts’ watching Melbourne’s preliminary final loss

Jake Melksham says Melbourne is yet to review last season’s crushing preliminary defeat to West Coast but he’s watched bits and pieces of the 66-point drubbing.

Jack Viney and Nathan Jones lead the Demons off the field after their massive loss to West Coast. Picture: AAP

Melbourne forward Jake Melksham says the Demons are yet to review last season’s crushing premlimary defeat to West Coast but expects that will happen when the entire squad returns to pre-season training.

Melksham, however, has watched bits and pieces of the 66-point drubbing at Perth Stadium which made him “feel a little sick in the guts”.

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Despite getting within one game of the Grand Final in their first finals series since 2006, the Demons’ season ended meekly after a goalless first half against the Eagles.

Melksham said the Demons made huge gains in 2018 but the manner of the defeat to the Eagles didn’t sit well with him.

“The year before we didn’t make it (finals) but getting to a prelim and being one win away from a Grand Final, it all happened really quickly,” Melksham said.

“A couple of weeks ago when I was at the club getting physio on my ankle I actually watched a couple of quarters of the game to see what happened.

A shell-shocked Nathan Jones and Jake Melksham at halftime during this year’s preliminary final. Picture: AAP

“It makes you feel a little sick in the guts the way that we played.

“We came a long way this year and we improved a hell of a lot so I’m sure we’ll sort it all out when we get back to training.”

Melbourne could appoint a sole captain for the 2019 after Nathan Jones and Jack Viney shared the role this year.

Melksham said the co-captaincy arrangement had benefited both players.

“I think it's working pretty well the way it is,” he told SEN radio.

“It’s been good for Nathan having Jack in there as a younger guy, and it’s also been good for Jack (having Jones) showing him the way.

“And they can share the load. There’s a lot of media that goes on, there’s lot of events they have to go to. I think it works pretty well.”