IT WAS initially a subdued Mark Neeld that fronted the media after his first win as an AFL coach, but by the end of the press conference, it was clear a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. 

The Melbourne coach didn't hide his emotion in the dying stages of Saturday night's clash with Essendon at the MCG as the clock wound down and signalled the Demons' six-point win.

He was oval-side, having coached much of the last quarter from the bench, and there were fist pumps and tackle-like hugs as the siren rang.

In the rooms, the song was sung in a spirited fashion, and fans broke into applause when Neeld was embraced by his family.

But when he sat down in front of the media some 20 minutes later, he initially played down his excitement about the Demons' first win since round 23, 2011.

"It feels really good," Neeld simply said.

When pressed on what was the most pleasing aspect of the night, he said "a four-quarter effort", which had been lacking from Melbourne all year.

"We were pleased as a group with the first three quarters [of last week's loss against Carlton]. We felt we had an arm wrestle with the Blues but we let that slide in the last quarter," he said.

"We couldn't keep going with them. We felt tonight ... we stuck at it and stayed in the contest all night."

Neeld said there were "good signs" regarding his players' intent to respond when the Bombers climbed on top in contested ball in the third quarter.

He was pleased to realise this week Colin Garland was drafted as a forward and the subsequent decision to move him there, and with Jack Watts' third consecutive good game in defence.

But still, he played down the meaning of the win.

"There's a bit of relief there but I'm also a big fan of being on the reality bus," he said.

"It's round 10 and we've won one game so ... "

Still, midfielder Brent Moloney felt the win provided a release - for players and coach alike.

"[Neeld's] been under enormous pressure and the players know that and they can feel that and I think they responded tonight and they were fantastic for him," Moloney said.

Moloney was asked about his personal reaction to Neeld's game plan, which he admitted had taken awhile to get used to.

"I think our relationship is building," he said.

"I've got a great relationship with Mark and tonight I played a different role and really enjoyed it."

There is, however, one side of Moloney that displeases his coach.

"I don't know about some of your fashion sense," Neeld said lightheartedly.

"He hasn't sold me on that. Everything other than that's going all right.

"He's got some interest in an online t-shirt company and he tends to parade them around the club."

Moloney responded with; "You need some help with that."

But a more relaxed Neeld had the final word.

"Apparently. At this stage, unless 'Beamer', you change some of your designs, I won't be wearing any of your t-shirts."

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs.

Jennifer Witham is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenWitham.