Melbourne are adamant their second consecutive straight-sets AFL exit could make them, not break them.
The Demons let their semi-final in opposition to Carlton slip within the last minute and had been knocked out by two factors on the MCG on Friday night time.
The 2021 premiers have misplaced all 4 of their finals, which have been at their dwelling floor, since profitable their breakthrough flag in Perth.
The Demons face the prospect of being labelled underachievers who’ve didn’t maximise their expertise and premiership window.
“When you’ve had two years where you set yourself up in an opportunity to perform strongly in finals and you lose twice in straight sets, there’s gonna be criticism out there,” coach Simon Goodwin mentioned.
“But as a footy club, we know we’ve got a list that’s building and we’re still going to continue to add to that.
“And we additionally know that we’ll proceed to place ourselves able the place we will have success that we need to have.
“But that just doesn’t happen. It’s hard to do and a lot has to go right.”
Defender Jake Lever was adamant Melbourne would stand taller, reasonably than wilt beneath their disappointment.
“You could probably sit there and go it’s either gonna be the start of us or it can really sort of haunt us,” he mentioned.
“I think that we’ve got a pretty galvanised group and I don’t even want to talk about pre-season but it’s fire in the belly.”
Lever mentioned the Demons wanted to “take a breath” earlier than absolutely breaking down their finals disappointment.
“It’s disappointing, but we look on the bright side – at least we’ve made four finals and we’ve given ourselves the best chance but we haven’t taken it at the minute,” he mentioned.
“In the end, we’re gonna have to look at all departments and all phases of our game, whether that’s do we think that it’s (a premiership) going to get given to us?
“But I believe the final two years has now confirmed to us that it is quite a bit tougher than you suppose.”
Goodwin said Melbourne would continue to look to improve their list – whether that be through trade, draft or free agency.
He and Lever both emphasised the importance of bringing through and developing younger players like Jacob van Rooyen, Judd McVee and Trent Rivers.
“We’ve bought nearly all of what it takes to win a premiership as a result of a lot of the group remains to be right here, however should you sit there and say that you recognize you are achieved, you are gonna find yourself going backwards should you do not look to enhance,” Lever mentioned.
“It’s bloody powerful proper now, however I believe that we’ll be wanting ahead to popping out subsequent 12 months and hopefully proving everybody incorrect.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
