DESPITE acknowledging Melbourne’s effort was much better than round two, Bernie Vince says the loss against Adelaide was still a disappointing result, given the Demons were right in the contest for most of the match.

Vince, who ran with former teammate and Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield during Melbourne’s 25-point loss at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, said it was a mixed performance.  

“I was happy with the effort, but we can’t be happy with a loss either,” he told Dee TV.

“We can’t be happy with a good effort – we’ve got to put wins on the board.

“If we bring that next week, we’ll be in good stead against Richmond.”

Vince said the hostile clash, combined with slippery, wet conditions, made it a hard-fought battle.

“It was tough [out there] considering we came off a shocking second half last week. It was a great response. It was a great start, but we let them back in for little periods – 10 minute periods – and that’s when they really hurt us,” he said.

“They piled on a couple of goals and got back in it in the third quarter, but we were still a chance of winning.

“We thought we could win the whole time … which was pleasing, considering they’re coming off two really good wins and they’re flying at the moment and on top of the ladder.”