Melbourne AFL co-captain Nathan Jones says it was a shattering experience to be booed off the MCG by the club’s own fans.
Coach Paul Roos was so angry with Sunday’s 64-point loss to fellow bottom-three side Greater Western Sydney he didn’t address the players after the game.
The former Sydney mentor knows the dangers of getting too heated and giving a player a spray that cuts too deeply.
This presented the players with the chance to talk amongst themselves. That apparently didn’t happen either.
“What do you say?,” Jones told reporters on Monday.
“We come over back to AAMI Park and the players don’t really say much. It’s a time when you reflect.”
Jones thought the 17th-placed Demons, with a 4-16 win-loss record, after claiming only two victories in 2013, had turned a corner.
“It was an embarrassing performance from us,” he said.
“We are taking some steps forward but yesterday was a significant step back.
“To walk off the ground with the reception we got, the boys are pretty shattered.
“That’s the main thing that hit home, really letting a lot of our supporters down.”
Jones said the Demons hadn’t heard from their coach.
“I still haven’t seen him yet. He has probably done that a couple of times this year,” Jones said.
“It’s probably a really measure approach by Roosy just to let it cool off.
“He’s a pretty competitive character and yesterday’s result really would have burnt him.”
Roos told his post-match media conference he thought some players looked like they’d already “put the cue in the rack” for the season.
“I saw that comment by Roosy. It’s probably warranted with the performance,” Jones said.
The Demons face West Coast in Perth and North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium in the last two rounds.
“We have to respond,” Jones said.
The onballer made his debut in 2006, which is the last year the Demons made the finals.
He says a series of poor seasons have dented confidence levels.
“The group’s probably really suffering from that,” he said.
“How you manipulate players to build back belief, I don’t really know how to do that.”
Defender Tom McDonald says confidence is a huge issue.
“To come back against Essendon and win on the road at Adelaide and then to just totally fall over in a game like this, it’s not a physical aspect,” McDonald said.
“It’s all the mental side. It’s a horrible feeling.
“If you keep playing like that, you’ll get booed again and again.
“Going to Perth is probably the best thing for us.”
Bosk
Roar Rookie
They're one of the youngest teams in the comp, its the end of the year and they've spent all their petrol tickets. Which kind of begs the question why so many people are asking stupid questions like "Are the Demons going backwards?". Seriously, what did you people expect in Paul Roos first year after he'd inherited one of the worst teams of the past coupel of decades - a finals berth? My advice for anyone sticking the boot into the Dees right now is get themselves some f&*king patience or to find themselves a harder target. Melbourne will be fine, but its going to take time to turn that ship around. Expecting instant results is just stupid.
Rob
Guest
At least those who hang around to boo still cared enough to be ther. My family in Victoria went and left at 3/4 time. I'm in Perth and I won't be bothering to go. That Jonsey is worse than being booed. This team has managed to get an entire multi generational family to just stop caring. You want us to turn up and stick around to the end then YOU BASTEDS TURN UP AND STICK AROUND TO THE END.
andyl12
Guest
Melbourne were actually looking decent in the first half of the year, it's not clear how they fell apart. Giving them an extra draft pick isn't the answer, they've had so many extra picks in the past and most of the players have left in such of a better club culture elsewhere. I've often thought Melbourne could improve their off-field fortunes by realising its Collins St fan base is no wililng to help, and moving towards new fan bases in the immigrant market. John So is their No.1 ticket holder and could do a great job at wooing Asian fans to the club. Many Middle Eastern immigrants have also not chosen their team yet and would identify with the club that bears the city's name. Am I right that the idea of searching Melbourne Uni for international students has already been raised at the club?