WHOEVER said a week was a long time in football wasn’t kidding.

For anyone with red and blue running through their veins, it was a week full of emotions.

From the high of ending a 10-year losing streak in round one to a remarkable second half fade-out – the past week featured plenty.

Melbourne’s 26-point win over the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG in round one built genuine hope of winning two in a row for the first time since rounds 13 and 14, 2011 against Fremantle and Richmond at the MCG respectively.

And at half-time against GWS in Canberra on Saturday, the Demons looked set to make it two from two, given they were up by 33 points late in the second term and entered the main break with a 27-point lead.

By three quarter-time, the game had changed so considerably, that the Giants were up by 26 points. And by the finish, GWS had turned a stunning 78-point turnaround into a 45-point victory.

It was a horrible second half by Melbourne, after an impressive start to the day. In fact, it was quite unfathomable at half-time to suggest the game would turn out the way it did.

Post-match, the mood of the Melbourne team and its supporters was palpable.

And while the players were naturally frustrated by the result, there was noticeably a sense, this time around, of not throwing in the towel or saying ‘here we go again’. It was more reasoned. 

And really, it’d be ridiculous, given we’re just two rounds into a 23 round season to hit the panic button.

Tom McDonald, who has been Melbourne’s best player in the opening two rounds, acknowledged the poor result against GWS, but added that it wouldn’t dictate the season.

“We spoke after the game and we won’t let round two define the season,” he told Dee TV. 

“We had good form through the pre-season and had a really good pre-season, so we need a good week at training and not let guys get too down on themselves – be disappointed [yes] – but not give up on the year.

“If we have a good week at training, I’m sure we’ll bounce back against Adelaide – and I’ve got full confidence that we will.”

We all know Jack Viney’s zest for the game. His attack on the ball and hard-at-it style of play is admired by the red and blue faithful. But he was another who spoke rationally – albeit with passion – after the match.

“I’m extremely upset about the loss – really, really upset. But Heritier Lumumba was talking to the boys after the loss and said ‘we’ll learn from this and it’s not going to define our season, which it’s not’,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“This was a great opportunity to be two [wins] and zero [losses] – something I haven’t experienced in my whole time here, so I’m extremely disappointed, but that’s footy and that’s life. 

“In the past, we’ve let it get to us, but not this year. It’s a different group, a different vibe and no doubt we’ll bounce back, because that’s what good footy clubs do. That’s what resilient clubs and resilient people do. Everyone has hardships and bad days, and it’s about getting back on the horse and getting back out there.

“It’s going to be a good opportunity against the Crows, because they’re in some pretty good form. We’ll go over there at the Adelaide Oval and give it our all and get a win.”

The message was clear throughout the playing group that, yes, it was a terrible second half, but it must learn from the loss, regroup and rebound quickly for its round three clash against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval – a venue Melbourne won against the Crows last year. 

It was a victory against the odds in round seven last year and the Demons can draw on the fact they have won six of their eight quarters this year and have a good record at Adelaide Oval, having lost their other two matches there by a total of 11 points.

Adelaide, under new coach Phil Walsh, is as red-hot as any team in the competition at the moment, meaning Melbourne’s challenge is a big one.  

Melbourne hasn’t started with a 1-1 win/loss record after two rounds since 2005, but after a terrible second half against GWS in round two, the reply must be strong.