MELBOURNE coach Steven King has praised his side's effort following their 17-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday.

While it wasn't the result the team was after, King highlighted their fight to the end, but put the defeat down to execution under pressure. 

“It was a very tight, contested game,” King said.

“I thought we fought and competed really strong, but I think in the end it came down to execution and fundamentals under pressure.

“They punished us when the opportunities came for them and we probably left a fair few out there when we could’ve had a potential scoring opportunity.

“It was certainly frustrating, but I can’t fault our group’s endeavor, I couldn’t question their effort.”

Hear more from King below.