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Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says his star ruckman Max Gawn wasn't intimidated by Port Adelaide's double-teaming in their round one AFL loss.

Off-season surgeries and superb opponents have been cited by Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin for his side's dour 26-point AFL loss to Port Adelaide.

The Demons began season 2019 in lamentable fashion on Saturday, sloppy in possession and out-worked by the Power.

Expectations that Melbourne would build on their preliminary final effort last year and challenge for a drought-breaking premiership only compounded the frustrations of long-suffering Demons fans.

Goodwin though refused to be too downbeat or overly surprised.

"We knew this was the challenge for our footy club. A lot of guys have come out of post-season surgery," he said.

"It was always something we were mindful of

"We've spent a fair bit of time getting as much load into our players as we can. That will hold us in good shape.

"Yeah we're disappointed and our supporters will be disappointed but we're looking for ways to improve.

"We're going to build throughout the year ... we're going to keep improving. It's one week and one game."

Central to Port Adelaide's win was their ability to nullify Max Gawn.

Ken Hinkley deployed Paddy Ryder and new signing Scott Lycett to terrific effect at the MCG in the contest, while Port's senior players made themselves known to the All-Australian ruckman at every opportunity.

Goodwin denied his star was intimidated.

"It's part of the game," he said.

"It's something we're used to. Gawny gets targeted most weeks.

"He probably didn't play his best game today. We'll look to how we can support him better."

If there were positives for Melbourne, it's that their three debutants - Tom Sparrow, a late inclusion for Jordan Lewis (hamstring), Marty Hore and Corey Wagner, formerly of North Melbourne - had their moments.

And they won't have to field the same back six, where Sam Frost played a shocker, again, with boom recruit Steven May able to debut next week and Jake Lever not far away.

"We had three debutants today and they all contributed in a way that was pretty strong," Goodwin said.

Perhaps the biggest positive is that Melbourne won't have to play Hinkley's spirited side again this season.

"It was a war of attrition all day. The whole game was. It was tough conditions. It was hot. And (Port) worked incredibly hard," he said.