HINDSIGHT is a wonderful thing.

It’s easy to say what should’ve happened when the event has passed.

On Sunday, after Melbourne’s 32-point loss to the Western Bulldogs at the MCG, coach Paul Roos was posed the question: should his side have played another tall defender to help combat the likes of Jack Redpath (three goals) and even Jake Stringer (five goals), who is 192cm.

Upon reflection, Roos acknowledged another tall defender would’ve been handy against the Bulldogs, but added that it wasn’t always as simple as bringing in another big man.

“It’s hard, because we’re trying to play form players and guys that deserve to be picked,” he said.

“Oscar [McDonald] hasn’t had a lot of continuity, with injury and being in and out of the team. He had concussion about three weeks ago and hasn’t had real consistency, so we’re trying to pick guys when they’re in really, really good form, rather than manufacturing a team.

“In hindsight, another tall would’ve been good, but you want them coming in, in really good form.”

For Tom McDonald, who was Melbourne’s tallest backman, he said it was about playing as a team and helping out as a defensive unit – regardless of shape or size.

“The way we’re trying to play – it can make things look susceptible at the time. We were getting goals leaked out the back … and there were just too many, and we couldn’t get enough pressure on the ball to slow them down through the middle of the ground, which made us vulnerable,” he said.

“We don’t really care who kicks the goals for them – it doesn’t matter if one [opposition] player kicks 10 or 10 [players] kick one [each]. It’s about stopping as many as you can and we weren’t able to do that.

“They (the Bulldogs) kicked 114 points, so it was probably not a good defensive effort.”

Despite a tough day down back, there were still positives to be found among Melbourne’s defenders.

The rejuvenation of Neville Jetta since 2014 continues and his form has been steady all season.

He continues to improve his game, and that was highlighted with his five rebound 50s against the Bulldogs.

It’s well known that Jetta has curtailed dangerous small forwards in the past – think of Adelaide star Eddie Betts – but his ability to take the game on and attack has been building.

And it was something Roos pointed out post-match about Jetta.

“He’s always been a good defensive player over the last two years and it’s something we’ve worked really hard on [with him] – his offense. It’s starting to come together and you want a two-way team that defends really well and runs off,” he said.

“The balance of our defenders are really crucial – it’s crucial that they defend well and it’s also crucial that they move the ball. Nev is starting to really worry oppositions with his step and with his ability to get out into space and change direction.

“The down side is when you’re defenders are running and they’re up the ground, and you get a horrendous turnover and they’re all out of position, the opposition kicks easy goals against you. It’s a work in progress and it’s something that we need to keep working on.”

It will no doubt be addressed by Roos and his assistants, as they continue to refine and develop the team’s defence.