Melbourne's horror season took yet another turn for the worse against West Coast

ONLY a side in Melbourne's state can claim a 94-point defeat as a raging positive. Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more

Mitch Clark

ONLY a side in Melbourne's state can claim a 94-point defeat as a raging positive.

But so strong was that message from the Demons' camp at the MCG last night, you had to make sure they actually had been beaten by West Coast.

They had been. Comprehensively. But never has perception been more important for a battling club.

Live HQ: Melbourne v West Coast

Yes, a third quarter in which Melbourne conceded 11 goals to one was unacceptable, they said. But everyone in red and blue was more interested in talking up a competitive first half that saw them trail by 10 points at the main break.

Forward Mitch Clark described it as "one of the best halves I've been involved in at the club". Nathan Jones said he was "really proud".

Coach Mark Neeld said it was a "little win".

Then, asked if last week was the worst of his life following 79 and 148-point floggings to open the season, Neeld used the words "amazing" and "positive" to describe the days after that humiliating loss to Essendon.

"This week at our football club we learned so much about each other," he said.

"Some of the things we went through. 'Craigy' (Neil Craig) and I met 10 volunteers on Monday night who arrived at our club to tell us they didn't have money to spare and they couldn't tip any in, but what they gave us was three hours of their time and they got on the phone and rang members who hadn't renewed.

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"They pleaded with them and they got 30 people to sign up.

"The lads thought it might be a good idea to get away to Sorrento. I saw some young leaders like Nathan (Jones) and Jack (Trengove) and Jack (Grimes) conduct some serious discussions and that was wonderful to be a part of.

"And yesterday (Friday), my hat goes off to the 400 supporters at training. I must admit I walked out and thought, 'Oh wow, there's two ways this could go', but I heard them singing the club song. It was a life experience, but a positive one for the footy club."

At halftime yesterday, Melbourne looked like a different side. They led disposals and contested ball against a top-four contender and most obviously, there was intent and intensity born from an old-fashioned one-on-one philosophy.

But you knew West Coast would keep coming. What you didn't know was whether Melbourne would. The answer was clear less than 10 minutes into the second half as the Eagles slammed through six unanswered goals in 14 minutes and 11 for the term.

But clinging to the positives is perhaps human nature, and after seeing the reaction of his players last week, it was probably Neeld's only option.

"When I walked through the (changeroom) doors last week, he (Nathan Jones) was the first one I saw. Oh wow. I saw Nathan; he couldn't speak. I went to 'Grimsey'; he was in tears. Wow. So there's times in development where you've got to put your arm around them and look after them.

"We care for our lads and I think we backed them in the first half. The third quarter we clearly didn't get it but that's where it's at. The scoreboard is the last thing that changes."