MELBOURNE’S Brad Green insists the Demons will keep their heads up ahead of their clash with Sydney in Canberra, despite the club’s demoralising 89-point-defeat to Port Adelaide on Sunday.

“We don’t think Sydney are going to come out and thrash us,” Green said.

“They’re a good team but if we worry that we’re going to get thrashed, we might as well not get on the plane and stay where we are … it’s certainly tough at the moment.

“It’s a good thing we’ve got a game in six days’ time. That’s a positive coming out of it … there’s no doubt that we’re not playing the best footy at the moment but we’ve just got to get up and get going again.”

The midfielder believes that the team’s poor showing isn’t down to a lack of “fight” but more on-field errors.

“Our performance wasn’t up to scratch but their [Port Adelaide’s] performance was super.

“We’re making a lot of skill errors and we’ve got an inexperienced team, but there’s no doubt that we’re trying to have a crack.

“I don’t think it’s about the results anymore, we’re past win/loss ratios, we’re about just getting out there and having a crack,” Green said.

However the 26-year-old admits that the remaining five weeks of the season will be a tough time for all concerned at the club.

“We’re not hiding away from that. There are challenges for the club as a whole. We’ve got to stick thick and stay strong and keep improving.”

Green also defended caretaker coach Mark Riley’s position saying, despite results, he’s doing a good job.

“Bomber’s performing well. It’s hard to say when we’re performing not so great on the field but he’s going fantastic.”