CO-CAPTAIN Nathan Jones played a crucial role in Melbourne’s 22-point victory over Sydney on Thursday night and couldn’t have been happier post-game.

The 31-year-old booted three goals in the Demons’ win, and after a tough start to 2019, was pleased to get his side’s season rolling.

“It’s a relief really, but all in all a really positive step forward for us,” Jones told Melbourne Media.

“It adds to that confidence and belief. It’s been quite difficult, but that’s what happens when you’re trying to become a good team – it comes with expectation.

“That weight of expectation at times can be difficult to handle, but to the club’s credit, we’ve done a good job of being able to weather that and hopefully get ourselves back on track.

“It was a small step forward but a bloody good win.”

After dropping the opening three games of the season, the pressure was mounting heavily on the Dees, but Jones said the club remained composed which enable it to bounce back.

“A lot of guys have just been shaking their head at how we’re going to turn it around,” he said.

“But I think credit to Goody (Simon Goodwin), our coaching staff and everyone at the club for remaining positive and giving us solutions to get ourselves out of that.”

And now that the Demons have finally got their first win on the board, they are enjoying the moment.

“This is what you play for really,” Jones said.

“It’s the half an hour after the game where you get to celebrate with the boys, celebrate with the coaches, celebrate with your family and friends – it’s good.”

Although it was a crucial win for Melbourne’s season, Jones knows there is still a lot of work to be done.

After trailing by six points at half-time, the Demons produced a four-goal third term to gain the ascendancy, as they showed glimpses of their best footy.

“There were signs of it in the first quarter or two, but I felt like we probably stepped up to another level in that third and fourth, particularly around the ball,” Jones said.

“We started to work well as a team – obviously on defence and on offence.

“We were able to control the ball a lot more and I think there were signs of some of our best footy coming back.”

The Dees got right on top in the second half, turning the contested possessions and clearances around, which resulted on the scoreboard with seven goals to three.

Melbourne should take plenty of confidence into next Saturday's clash with St Kilda at the MCG as it looks to put together some wins.