Melbourne AFL coach Mark Neeld is urging supporters to keep the faith after his side plunged to a 0-3 record with Saturday’s 20.13 (133) to 11.8 (74) loss to Richmond.

Neeld made some positive noises about his winless team’s efforts, saying they played okay for three quarters but were steamrolled in the third term when Richmond outscored Melbourne nine goals to one.

But apart from youngster Jeremy Howe’s 12 marks and 23 possessions, there were few highlights for the Demons.

Neeld defended his co-captains Jack Trengove, 20, and Jack Grimes, 22, who have been installed as leaders this season in place of Brad Green who wasn’t even included in the senior side this week.

Grimes had 14 disposals and Trengove had 15, contributing two goals in the last quarter as both sides traded five goals each in the final term.

“Jeremy Howe and Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes – they’re the guys that we need to develop that have the ability to stand up when that starts happening,” Neeld said of Richmond’s third-quarter blitz which yielded nine goals to Melbourne’s one.

“The morale inside the club is really good.

“We’re playing a young group here. We’re trying to get games into them on the big stage and we’ve played bits and pieces (of good football) in the first three weeks.

“My concern is the morale of the supporters. They need to stick at it and they need to realise what we’re trying to do here is to put in place some quality structures, some quality programs within the footy club to make progress.

“I’m worried about the sponsors and the supporters and the people who come to support Melbourne, week in and week out.

“Not too many senior coaches inherit a team that’s at the top of the ladder.

“Most coaches start with a three-year contract, therefore a three-year plan, and you need to see development.”

Neeld said his co-captains were going okay in trying circumstances.

“It’s tough work when you’re 20 years of age and the senior coach says ‘we need you, you go in there (to midfield) and you battle against some bigger bodies’,” Neeld said.

“He (Trengove) held up his end up really well in the second half.

“Grimesy, he was a little bit rusty with some of his turnovers through the middle.

“He’ll improve.”

The Tigers had 73 tackles to Melbourne’s 53, despite Richmond’s dominance of possession.

Neeld said bigger-bodied midfielders such as Colin Sylvia (spinal fractures) and Brent Moloney (groin soreness) were still several weeks away from returning to the side.