The Demons never put the cue in the rack against the Hawks, but were simply outclassed by the reigning premiers in a 50-point defeat.
Trailing by 39 points at half-time, Melbourne fought until the end and remained highly competitive in effort indicators contested possession (122-130) and tackles (71-56).
Five talking points: Hawthorn v Melbourne
"I was pleased today – we just got beaten by a better team, a team that moves the ball really [well]," Roos said post-match.
"I thought the second half was more than competitive … so I thought there were a lot of positives to come out of that team performance and a lot of really good individual performances.
"It was definitely a huge learning curve for us against a really good team.
"Probably in the past I suspect this club might have gone down by 100-plus points, but I thought today we fought it out and I was really pleased with the second half."
After kicking just 25 goals in their past four games, the Demons found a better balance between attack and defence against the Hawks, booting 9.11.
"I think that's going to come a bit more slowly than probably what I and the fans would like," he said.
"It's just about the confidence to be able to move the ball quickly … I think the intent is there it's just the execution [that's lacking].
"In the second half they started to look a bit more confident and teamed together a little bit better offensively … it's starting to come slowly, but it's certainly the next stage of where we need to get to.
"It might be in the pre-season where we need to continue to work on it before we can actually get a balance right between defence and attack."
Roos said the Demons could not afford to drop away in the final three weeks of the season.
"Hopefully what we saw in the second half is not a team that's going to turn it in," Roos said.
"I was just really pleased that there seemed to be some grit there and some intent.
"I guess my role is to pick guys who are invested in the footy club, who want to be around the footy club and give their best for the next three weeks rather than waiting for pre-season.
"If some of them wait for pre-season they mightn't be here."
The Demons take on Greater Western Sydney at the MCG next Sunday.
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
"I was pleased today – we just got beaten by a better team, a team that moves the ball really [well]," Roos said post-match.
"I thought the second half was more than competitive … so I thought there were a lot of positives to come out of that team performance and a lot of really good individual performances.
"It was definitely a huge learning curve for us against a really good team.
"Probably in the past I suspect this club might have gone down by 100-plus points, but I thought today we fought it out and I was really pleased with the second half."
After kicking just 25 goals in their past four games, the Demons found a better balance between attack and defence against the Hawks, booting 9.11.
"I think that's going to come a bit more slowly than probably what I and the fans would like," he said.
"It's just about the confidence to be able to move the ball quickly … I think the intent is there it's just the execution [that's lacking].
"In the second half they started to look a bit more confident and teamed together a little bit better offensively … it's starting to come slowly, but it's certainly the next stage of where we need to get to.
"It might be in the pre-season where we need to continue to work on it before we can actually get a balance right between defence and attack."
Roos said the Demons could not afford to drop away in the final three weeks of the season.
"Hopefully what we saw in the second half is not a team that's going to turn it in," Roos said.
"I was just really pleased that there seemed to be some grit there and some intent.
"I guess my role is to pick guys who are invested in the footy club, who want to be around the footy club and give their best for the next three weeks rather than waiting for pre-season.
"If some of them wait for pre-season they mightn't be here."
The Demons take on Greater Western Sydney at the MCG next Sunday.
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
