MELBOURNE'S inability to match it with the top four teams was evident again on Saturday night against West Coast, according to Demons coach Paul Roos.

After losing promising midfielder Angus Brayshaw to concussion in the opening minute, the Demons were overrun in the final quarter, conceding six goals to one.

Five talking points: Melbourne v West Coast

Brayshaw was taken to Darwin hospital for observation after the knock but later tweeted that he should be fit to take on Essendon at the MCG next Saturday.

Melbourne had drawn within 12 points midway through the third quarter and messed up some chances (or was unfortunate not to draw a free kick at times inside 50 in the third quarter depending on your outlook) that would have enabled it to really challenge the Eagles.

Roos described the 54-point loss as disappointing but the coach pointed out the performance was a major improvement on the team's efforts against the Eagles in 2014, when the combined margin in two losses was 159 points.

"For three quarters we were reasonably happy and then in the last quarter they got in their game style and we just weren't able to go with them," Roos said.

WATCH: Paul Roos' full post-match media conference

While Roos said the early loss of Brayshaw "didn't help" he also acknowledged it wasn't anywhere near a factor in the result.

"You lose someone early and you know that is going to hurt you at some point in the game," Roos said.

Brayshaw's injury also made it impossible for the Demons to execute their pre-game plan of subbing one of their two ruckmen out of the game at three-quarter time.




Roos thought his ruck duo battled hard and Gawn ended the game with 10 hit-outs to advantage and subdued Naitanui after quarter-time.

The coach thought the quality of the Eagles’ midfielders was what gave them the ascendancy at the stoppages rather than their ruckmen's work.

"Their midfield is a very, very good midfield," Roos said. "They play a good brand of footy."

He said the defenders inability to curb West Coast forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling, who kicked seven goals between them, was due to a lack of pressure up the field at times.

"We probably didn't get the contests we wanted forward of the ball at times, which makes it hard for the defenders," Roos said.

After the optimism that followed the win against Geelong, Roos said it was just another reminder of the work to be done to match the best teams consistently over four quarters.

"It's disappointing but we know what we have got to work on to be more consistent," Roos said.