The result was undoubtedly disappointing, but three Magpies fought valiantly on Sunday afternoon.

Adam Treloar, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom were among eight players selected by Nathan Buckley and Paul Roos as the best players on the ground in Collingwood’s loss to Melbourne.

The three midfielder stars have had vastly different storylines in the early stages of this season.

After spending two weeks on the sidelines through suspension, Sidebottom turned frustration on missing out into an impressive game against the Demons.

The 25-year-old had 26 disposals, seven tackles and kicked two of Collingwood’s nine goals as he added a much-needed boost to the Magpies’ starting 22.

While a position for Pendlebury in the same 22 would never be under question, intrigue surrounds where the captain is best suited in 2016.

The beginning of Sunday’s game saw him continue a trend seen in previous weeks and claim a position at half back.

As Melbourne dominated the early stages of the MCG contest, Pendlebury struggled to become involved in the game.

He had just three possessions in the first quarter, all three uncontested.

The second term produced a version of the Collingwood skipper the football world is much more used to seeing.

He had 11 touches in the second quarter, before finishing with 25 disposals, five clearances and nine tackles.

WATCH - The coaches have had their say, but who was the INC Player of the Game? CLICK HERE to find out.

Despite strong games from Pendlebury and Sidebottom, the pick of the bunch from a Collingwood perspective was recruit Treloar.

The former GWS Giant was once again electric is he continued a hot start to the season.

For the third game in four this season, Treloar finished with over 30 disposals.

He broke the game open with grunt running and was tenacious in his attack of the football.

And it clearly impressed the two coaches.

While Buckley and Roos both agreed that Jack Viney was the best player on the ground, the Collingwood-Melbourne game drew a wider range of players selected than any other in round four.

Jack Watts, Nathan Jones, Dean Kent and Tom McDonald made up the remainder of selections in the Demons’ 35-point victory.

AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year

Round four - Collingwood v Melbourne
10. Jack Viney (Melb)
7. Jack Watts (Melb)
4. Nathan Jones (Melb)
3. Adam Treloar (Coll)
2. Dean Kent (Melb)
2. Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
1. Tom McDonald (Melb)
1. Steele Sidebottom (Coll)

Overall leaderboard after round four
29. Luke Parker (Sydney)
28. Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
23. Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)
22. Jack Viney (Melbourne)
22. Jack Ziebell (North Melbourne)
21. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
21. Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)

Collingwood leaders after round four
10. Alex Fasolo
4. Adam Treloar
3. Ben Sinclair
2. Scott Pendlebury
1. Jackson Ramsay
1. Steele Sidebottom