MELBOURNE caretaker coach Todd Viney says Port Adelaide had more to play for after the Demons' narrow loss to the Power at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Both clubs fought admirably in the first AFL game at the venue, but it was the Power who edged out the Demons by eight points.

Viney couldn't fault the effort of his players after the match, but said Port simply had more riding on the result.

"I was pretty happy with their intent and their endeavour," Viney said of his players.

"But I thought it was a great occasion for Port Adelaide to have the opportunity to stamp themselves here at their future home.

"They were obviously playing for 'Broges' [retiring ruckman Dean Brogan] in his last game of footy... [Brett] Ebert's 150th game, and they obviously didn't want to have a wooden spoon in their trophy cabinet.

"So there was a whole heap of reasons why the day was important for them."

Melbourne looked likely to blow the game apart in the opening half, registering seven more inside 50s and six more scoring shots than the Power to the major break.

But the Demons only took a one-point advantage into half-time despite their dominance in general play.

"We just couldn't finish our play," Viney said.

"We just didn't reward ourselves enough when we had some opportunities to hurt them on the scoreboard, even [with] some easy transitions through the middle of the ground we stuffed it up.

"The modern game demands that you need to be a highly-skilled team, particularly under pressure. We haven't been able to execute that enough during the year [and] we haven't been able to do it at the level required.

"Our kicking efficiency was probably 10 per cent under what they [Port] were all day. They maximised their opportunities and we didn't take ours."

With Melbourne's season over and Viney's coaching future to be decided, Viney said that he had relished his short tenure in the top job.

"Being put in the position to lead the club into battle for five weeks has been a great experience," he said.

"I would've liked to have had a few more wins on the board to finish off the year well, but it hasn't been a good year all round.

"[We will] sit back and speak to a few people to see how they've seen my cameo appearance. I've enjoyed the challenge, but I'll just weigh-up all considerations before I put my hat in the ring."

Another pressing issue facing the Demons is the uncertainty surrounding the future of young gun Tom Scully, who withdrew from the clash with Port Adelaide during the week due to a persistent hip flexor injury.

"He would've been handy today," Viney said of the 20-year-old.

"It's [the injury] just got worse and worse to the point where he couldn't train - it's nothing more sinister than that."

Speculation has been rife that Scully is the marquee signing for the new Greater Western Sydney side, which enters the AFL competition next season.

"He'll obviously have some time to think about that," Viney said.

"We're confident that we've done everything we can to let him know that we want him here at Melbourne."

"We are waiting for his decision."

Max covers news from AAMI Stadium for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_MaxPhillips