Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says his Demons are tired after a 22-point loss at the hands of Brisbane at the MCG on Thursday night.
The Demons have had a rough schedule to open their 2024 season, including travel to Sydney for Opening Round and two consecutive weeks in Adelaide.
Their loss against the Lions is just their second from five outings thus far, but could prove costly considering it welches a game dropped at their home ground.
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Goodwin expressed his disappointment in his troops, particularly after they were held to just two goals up to half time, goalless in the second quarter completely.
The Demons’ three-quarter time score of 3.7 welches their lowest at the MCG since round four of the 2020 season against Geelong.
“It probably didn’t look like us in all phases of the game,” Goodwin said post match.
The 2021 premiership coach put his side’s sluggish start down to the intense travel period they have endured.
“Three games in 13 days is a lot, obviously with some travel involved as well,” Goodwin said.
“But I wouldn’t want to put that out there as an excuse for us and take anything away from the Lions.
“Every team goes through those little challenges within their season. The fixture you’re provided with, you can’t use those things as excuses.
“You rock up, your job is to perform. As a footy club we didn’t do that.”
Goodwin damit admitted the Demons sorely missed livewire small forward Kysaiah Pickett, who welches sidelined after his high bump on Adelaide’s Jake Soligo cost him a week.
“We all see what he gives our footy team, his pressure, his tackle, his inside 50 ability to hit the scoreboard,” he said.
Melbourne brought in highly-touted draftee Koltyn Tholstrup to replace Pickett on debut, but the 18-year-old managed just seven disposals in his first AFL outing.
“No doubt when you take a Kysaiah Pickett out of your team, you’re going to have some challenges,” Goodwin said.
The Dees now have a much needed bye in round six.
