Retired Melbourne skipper David Neitz admits he was a swirl of emotions as he was farewelled at the MCG and pride in his side was certainly one of them.

Having announced his retirement on Monday, after a neck injury prevented him from going on, Neitz spoke at several pre-game functions before being paraded in front of Demons fans in a lap of honour.

But the Melbourne games and goals record-holder said the moment the finality of his decision really hit home was when he delivered a pre-game rev-up to teammates but had to stand and watch as they ran onto the field.

"The huddle before the game was probably the time that tested me out emotionally the most," Neitz said.

"I delivered a bit of a speech and the guys went through the banner and I headed to the boundary line.

"That was a moment where things started to sink in a bit, it was an emotional little moment."

It was clearly also an emotional experience for the 22 Demons who took the field as they flew into the match with a passion not evident in their previous performances this year.

While that intensity did not quite carry them all the way to an upset win, Neitz said it was something the club could build on.

"I spoke to the guys before the game about earning respect in footy and for them to have the courage to put it out there on the ground and leave it out there on the MCG and they did that today," he said.

"We didn't get the points, but to play in that sort of spirit, I think we'll play some really good footy and really competitive footy."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson congratulated Neitz before the game and the Hawks players joined the Demons in forming a guard of honour post-match, which Neitz said was another moving moment.

"I was really appreciative of the Hawthorn footy club for doing that," he said.

"Clarko obviously we played a little bit of footy together towards the end of his career and (other Hawthorn football staff) Todd Viney, Chris Fagan and Mark Evans, so there's a bit of a Melbourne connection there, so I'm really thankful for them to form that guard of honour."

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said the question now was whether his team could reproduce similar intensity without the emotion of Neitz's retirement to stir them up.

"He basically said to them you've set a standard, you've got to play like that all the time now," Bailey said.

"To do it once, to do it for three and a bit quarters is not good enough.

"The challenge is there to do it for four, so we're heading in the right direction."

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