AFTER shearing merino sheep on the MCG turf on Thursday, Melbourne midfielder Bernie Vince mused that football was easy in comparison.
Then he remembered Melbourne's opposition at Sunday: Fremantle.
The Dockers are unbeaten this year, have arguably the best midfield in the competition and are more organised than a traditional wedding.
"We're certainly going to have our work cut out but we'll be having a crack," Vince said.
The midfielder acknowledged that the Demons next three opponents, Fremantle, the Sydney Swans and Hawthorn were tough, but said it was an opportunity for Melbourne to test their game against the best.
"We want to be like these teams that we are playing in the next few weeks," Vince said. "It's going to take a team effort."
He was more, well, sheepish when asked again about his tagging role in round three against former teammate Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield.
"That was just the way things went. He just seemed to be there a few times when I was going at the footy," Vince said.
"We had a bit of a laugh after it. I guess you want to be known as an aggressive player but our whole team wants to be an aggressive footy team."
Vince, who delivered a close shave to the sheep as part of a promotional event, wouldn’t confirm if he would line up on Nat Fyfe on Sunday, but did say he could find no weaknesses in the 23-year-old's game.
"He can play anywhere on the ground. He could probably ruck as well if they chucked him in there. It's going to take a team effort to stop him," Vince said.
"It's not just Fyfe either. They have a number of quality midfielders … gone are the days where you shut one gun midfielder down and you stop the team."
The Demons secured Vince via the compensation selection they received for losing Colin Sylvia who retired from Fremantle during the week.
The former Crow has returned to good form after an injury interrupted pre-season and then a uninspired comeback in round two against Greater Western Sydney.
"I was really disappointed and wanted to bounce back," Vince said of that game.
He's done that. Now it's a question of consistency.