AFL: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin bemoans Demons giving up 110 points in disappointing defeat to Western Bulldogs

Reigning premier Melbourne is in danger of slipping out of the top four after a fifth defeat in eight games on Saturday night.

Simon Goodwin was most disappointed with Melbourne conceding 100-plus points for the first time in three years. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne will aim to rediscover its defensive “hallmark” in the next six days ahead of a potentially season-defining trip west to face Fremantle on Friday night.

The Demons conceded 100-plus points for the first time in three years in Saturday night’s 10-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in a wildly entertaining Marvel Stadium shootout.

Simon Goodwin’s side has suffered defeats in five of its last eight to lose the aura of invincibility it once boasted despite leading by a game-high 27 points late in the second term.

But it was the Bulldogs’ ability to run rampant on the reigning premiers’ defence, which was missing All-Australian Jake Lever (shoulder), that bothered Goodwin most.

“It’s a missed opportunity at our end,” Goodwin said.

Injured Demons defender Jake Lever was a notable absentee on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

“(But) they’re just typical games against the Western Bulldogs – they swing on momentum and we’ve had that before. Probably for us, 110 points against isn’t a normal Melbourne game.

“The Bulldogs certainly got the game more looking like their type of game for longer, and that’s what enabled them to get themselves back into the game ... so we’ll go away and look at that.”

Melbourne could be outside the top four by the end of next round if it doesn’t avenge the round 11 defeat to the Dockers at the MCG, which started the rot after a 17-match winning streak.

“When you lose tight games at this time of year, it hurts,” Goodwin said.

“Our challenge as a footy club now is to respond quickly and that response needs to come next week against Fremantle ... but, as I said, 110 points against isn’t quite the way we want to play.

James Jordon played out the match despite hurting a knee in the first half. Picture: Getty Images

(Then there was) that third quarter where they dominated the time in half – they’re two things we’ll go away and look at.”

Goodwin expects Lever to be available for the Fremantle showdown but was less confident about spearhead Ben Brown, who continues to manage a knee injury that will impact him until his career ends.

“We’ll just monitor that this week, but hopefully we’ll get him out there,” he said of Brown.

“He went for a light jog (on Saturday) and we’ll see how he pulls up in the next few days.”

James Jordon (knee) played out Saturday night’s match but will be monitored throughout the week.

Originally published as AFL: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin bemoans Demons giving up 110 points in disappointing defeat to Western Bulldogs