MELBOURNE'S "disappointing" performance in its 42-point loss to Collingwood on Queen's Birthday is not a true reflection of what the team is capable of achieving this year, coach Simon Goodwin says.
The Demons were the form side of the competition leading into Monday's game, stringing together six wins in a row and appearing as if they might well be one of the competition's benchmark teams.
But Melbourne fell flat against a red-hot Collingwood.
Rather than be downcast about what the result could mean in the context of the credibility the side has developed this season, Goodwin was more worried about making sure his team bounces back after its upcoming bye round.
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"It's small margins. You can only perform with what's in front of you. For six weeks in a row we've performed really strongly as a football club. Today we weren't at our best. So we learn, we grow, we get better," a measured Goodwin said.
"We can't look back, we can't look forward, we've got to look at what's in front of us right now. Today was disappointing but I'm not going to look backwards or project too far forward.
"It's madness."
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Collingwood's clearance dominance (45-26) was influential in the result, with the Magpies midfielders far cleaner and more switched on around the contest.
Brodie Grundy got the better of Max Gawn in an intriguing battle and the Magpies put 20.13 on the board in what was a comprehensive victory.
"It was a disappointing day in terms of how we played. I thought Collingwood's pressure around the ball was outstanding, they clearly won the clearances and generated a lot of forward momentum from there and won the territory battle," Goodwin said.
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"They tackled incredibly well and I thought we fumbled the ball due to their pressure.
"They played near their best, we were nowhere near our best."
Nonetheless with the Demons in fifth position on the ladder with an 8-4 win-loss record and with the bye coming up, Goodwin is reasonably pleased with the club's first half of the season.
Melbourne will play Port Adelaide in what shapes as a crucial contest at Adelaide Oval on Friday night in round 14.
"We get a chance to regroup, learn and look at a few things we're doing well but also look at some opportunities to grow and get better," Goodwin said.
"We've got to keep working towards improving as a club and as a team and finding our best footy. So we'll continue to look at doing that."
Goodwin said defender Oscar McDonald should be available for the clash with the Power after coming from the field against the Magpies with a concussion and blurred vision.
"He's got a bit of concussion. He'll be okay. He came off and had a bit of blurred vision but we've got a bye this week so he's got plenty of time to recover from that."
Neville Jetta also came from the field appearing to cradle his right shoulder, but he played out the game and should also be fit to take on Port Adelaide.