MELBOURNE defender Daniel Cross says turnovers and a “disappointing” final quarter drop-off were the key reasons behind his side’s loss to West Coast at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.

While Melbourne were able to keep within striking range of their opposition for the majority of the match, a dominant fourth quarter from the Eagles pushed the final margin out to 54 points.

Cross said conceding six goals in the final quarter was a poor way to finish the match.

“It was really disappointing, that fourth quarter,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“We weren’t playing that great all game but we were right in it against a quality side at three-quarter-time.

“But they stepped it up a gear and I guess we just killed our [game] with turnovers and [with their] scores from stoppages as well, I felt like they really dominated in that area.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

Cross said West Coast was a “quality” side, who ran hard to force the Demons into turnovers, before using quick ball movement to heap pressure on the Melbourne defence.

 “They’ve got a quality midfield, that’s for sure – they’ve got arguably the best ruckman in the comp, they’ve got the Brownlow Medallist from last year as well and they’ve got plenty of runners in there,” he said.

“Their forward line has got a very good mix and their backline come off their men very well - so across the ground they’re a well-drilled side.

“But [as a positive] we were still in the match at three-quarter-time, we just needed to finish off the match better.”

First year player Angus Brayshaw was subbed out of the game early with concussion and Cross said while it was a disappointing outcome for the midfielder, his fellow young players had shown plenty of good signs.

“Unfortunately for Gus and for the side, it was disappointing that he went down so early but ‘Nibbler’ (Alex Neal-Bullen) came on and did a great job,” Cross said.

“With Billy [Stretch] and Vines (Jack Viney), all these young guys are coming on and learning in the heat of the moment and that’s the best way to learn.

“Against the quality sides like this, that’s a great experience for those guys – so they’ll keep getting better and when that happens we’ll become a really good side.”

Cross collected 20 possessions for the evening, again playing in his relatively new role at half back and the veteran said he was “loving” the experience of playing as part of the defensive group.

“I’m certainly at the stage in my career where I’m happy to do whatever Roosy and the coaches ask me to do,” Cross said.

“I know that’s my position in the side and whatever I’m required to do, I’ll do.

“I’m really enjoying it and I’ve got a really good relationship with Jade [Rawlings] – I played with him at the Bulldogs – and I feel that I’m being coached really well.

“So I still pinch-hit up in the midfield at times but I’m really enjoying my role back there.”