CO-CAPTAIN Nathan Jones says Sunday’s 64-point loss to Greater Western Sydney at the MCG was an embarrassing performance – and one that can’t be explained why it happened, at this stage.

Speaking on Monday at AAMI Park, Jones said the team hadn’t yet reviewed the game, when he spoke to the media, although he believed he had a “gut feel” why it occurred.

“Regardless of the opposition, we’re really embarrassed about the performance we put out yesterday (Sunday),” he said.

“It’s not the fact that we played GWS, it’s just the fact that we couldn’t put together a four quarter performance and we couldn’t put together any of our game style – it’s a really disappointing time for us.

“We’ve taken some steps forward, but yesterday was a significant step back.”

Jones said there were so many emotions experienced by the players after the loss.  

“There’s frustration, disappointment and we feel like we’ve let our fans down,” he said.

“To walk off the ground with the reception we’ve got, the boys are pretty shattered and pretty disappointed and that’s the main thing that hit home – letting a lot of our supporters down.”

Jones said he “definitely” thought the Demons were past these types of performances. But he acknowledged the players were lacking confidence and belief at the moment.

“I felt like we had taken steps forward this year and I personally thought that the real issue was our consistency and we could really play some good footy at times and we’d be patchy in other games,” he said.

“Yesterday everything went wrong.”

Jones said coach Paul Roos’ post-match thoughts that the players had put the ‘cue in the rack’ this season were warranted, but he hoped that was not the case.

Already with one eye on next round’s clash against the West Coast Eagles at Patersons Stadium, Jones said it was a great opportunity to head to Perth and rebound strongly.

Jones said the Demons had bucked the trend on the road this year with a stunning round seven win over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval this year, and it almost defeated Port Adelaide at the same venue in round 18.

He said the team needed to be positive about its WA clash – just like it had when it ventured to Adelaide this year.

“It’s a huge challenge and they’re (West Coast) in really good form, and we’ve travelled reasonably well this year,” Jones said.

“To get away as a group, we’ve got to try and do something to rectify such a horrible result yesterday.

“We have to respond and to get away as a group to Perth is a good opportunity to do that,” he said

Meanwhile, Jones said he had recently spoken to former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, who is fighting motor neuron disease. Jones said he was set to help Daniher raise awareness for the illness via a television campaign.

“I spoke to him last week and he gave me a call. I’m getting involved in a TV advertisement to raise awareness for motor neuron disease and he gave a call to ask and see if I was interested,” he said.

“It was really good to have a chat to him. He was my first coach and he gave me my debut and it was great to hear from him.

“Motor neuron disease is a pretty close thing to my heart as well – my grandpa passed away from it.

“It was great to hear from [Neale] and he was really positive and I hope he can continue his fight and I’m sure he will.”