CHRISTIAN Salem was straightforward when reviewing Melbourne’s Thursday night loss to Geelong.
“We didn’t bring the heat, they obviously did,” Salem told media on Monday morning.
Following the loss, Demons’ coach Simon Goodwin highlighted the team's areas of improvement, explaining that discrepancies in clearances (54-36) and inside 50s (66-46) were noticeable factors in the defeat.
When asked about the drop in forward entries and impact on the scoreboard, Salem said that it was a full-ground focus, and not something purely left up to the forwards.
"It's a whole collective," Salem said.
"It's not only the forwards' responsibility, but also us backs and the mids delivering it inside 50m.
"We'll work on that. We've got a longer week this week in training.
"It's something we have been chipping away at, and it's probably only a matter of time before it turns around for us."
The Demons will next face Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park on Sunday 17 July and despite a disparity in ladder position - Port Adelaide currently sitting at 12th and Melbourne sitting at second – Salem was expecting a tough battle.
“It’s such a tough competition to get wins in,” Salem said.
“It doesn’t matter where you are on the ladder, if you’re slightly off, any team could take advantage.
“There’s still plenty of games left to be played and I’m sure there’ll be lots of ups and downs amongst all teams.
“We’re just looking to prepare as best we can and obviously Port Adelaide this week, [they’re] in good form themselves, so that’ll be another tough game.”
