The Demons led Carlton by 21 points in the first term of Saturday night's game at the MCG but kicked just three goals after quarter-time to lose 10.14 (74) to 7.13 (55) victory at the MCG.
King spoke to his whole playing group after the defeat and urged them not to be defined by the loss.
"So I spoke about ... being immensely proud for me to coach them and for what they've done," he said.
"I feel like in 12 months' time, what we've been able to do as a footy club to reinstate a bit of respect, both on-field, off field, play a brand of footy that our supporters should be proud of, hopefully.
"But just the players themselves, how they've adapted to a new way of playing - I couldn't be more proud of them for what they've done, their body of work.
"So there was disappointment in tonight, obviously, but we'll let it settle.
"But on a whole... for me, a sense of pride for what they've done, and I think how they've re-engaged our supporter base, around watching them really loving watching them play footy again.
"We know we've got a lot of work to do as a footy club and as a team and as a group of individuals, we're not shying away from that, but we're only just at the start, we're not a finished product yet."
King had confidence his players had the character to move on.
"It'll hurt for a while before we sort of sit back and reflect," King said.
"But I know deep down, I've been just so proud of a lot of individuals that have probably taken their games to another level and gained a bit of respect in the footy world.
"So we've got to harness that more so than the disappointment."
King wouldn't use the unavailability of Jake Lever, Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson as an excuse for the defeat.
Melbourne could have finished top four, after an incredible regular season despite moving on Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, but last week's loss to the Western Bulldogs sent them to seventh and the wildcard.
But King wouldn't dwell on missed opportunities.
"If you tell me at the start of the year we'll go from seven wins to 15, I'd sign up for that every day of the week," he said.
Melbourne have two early draft picks while King expected the likes of Harvey Langford and Caleb Windsor to be better for their first taste of finals.
"We know we'll bring in two really good, high-quality players at those picks, which is exciting," King said.
"But for me, the biggest growth will come from within."
9°C