ROUND 1 proved to be a tough start to the season for the Demons, as Port Adelaide controlled the majority of the game to cruise to a 26-point win at the MCG.

Melbourne defender Michael Hibberd admitted the Power were just too good on Saturday afternoon as they continuously pushed the ball forward.

“It was pretty damning the inside 50s they were able to get,” Hibberd told Melbourne Media.

“It seemed like it was locked in their forward half quite a bit.

“We like to pride ourselves on being a forward half team and we didn’t get that today and that showed on the scoreboard.”

The Power had 14 more inside 50s for the afternoon which gave their forwards plenty of opportunities to score, but it was the space they created in the midfield that allowed them to skip away.

In a powerful display, Port Adelaide had 93 more uncontested possessions than the Demons, controlling the ball on the outside and delivering it cleanly up the field.

“It was coming in quick,” Hibberd said.

“Our mids had good patches – I think late in the third (quarter) we showed our footy.

“We were able to get it in there and lock it in a bit and create some scoring opportunities.

“But they were better than us today.

“We’ll train hard this week and hopefully bounce back.”

It was a warm day at the MCG, testing out the Dees’ fitness after a long pre-season, but Hibberd said the boys lacked run at stages throughout the contest.

“I was definitely feeling the pinch,” he said.

“Round 1’s always hard and I guess when they get a jump on you like that and you’re defending from the get-go you lose a bit of sting in the legs.

“We’ll be better for the run, I guess.”

While a loss first-up is certainly not ideal, Hibberd said his side can take plenty from the match and still have a positive season in 2019.

“There’s still 21 games left,” he said.

“We’ll learn from our mistakes from the game and hopefully be better for next week and bounce back.

“There’s still a lot of footy to be played.”