Melbourne lost to Geelong by 80 points and are expecting to lose Steven May to a groin injury but coach Simon Goodwin claims the Demons actually took a step forward at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
Having made a preliminary final last year, the Dees have started their season with consecutive defeats to Port Adelaide and the Cats and now face a high-stakes clash with fellow winless side Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.
The Dees leave the field after their loss to Geelong.Credit:AAP
Offseason recruit May didnt play out the loss to Geelong, which was his first match for Melbourne, with the Dees expecting to be without May for at least a week.
But despite the heavy nature of their defeat to the Cats, Goodwin suggested Melbourne actually improved on their 26-point loss the previous week against the Power.
Advertisement
The Dees trailed by 24 in contested possessions at quarter-time and narrowed the gap to 18 by the final change, while they had a staggering 72 inside 50s to Geelongs 48, with the Cats kicking 20.6 to Melbournes 6.10.
“From last week to this week we had a lot more players playing better,” Goodwin said.
“We had 72 entries, which is a lot. We need to connect better forward of centre, we need to win more contests ahead of the ball, we need to move the ball in a way thats going to maximise those entries. Ultimately they maximised all theirs.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin.Credit:AAP
“We moved forward a bit this week. The scoreboard didnt reflect it. And were incredibly disappointed to be zero and two, obviously losing by 80 points, but theres 20 games to go. If we can have 71 entries next week and connect better the scoreboard will look a bit different.
“The scoreboard for us looks terrible. And were hurting, as players and as a club. To lose by 80 points is not the way that you want to be. But there are some things that are starting to head in the right direction.”
Goodwin said the DeeRead More – Source
