ROUNDS five, six and seven were always going to be a tough and testing block for the Melbourne footy club – even before the season started.

But, hey, welcome to life in the AFL!

It could now be argued that the Melbourne ‘trilogy’ – featuring Fremantle, Sydney Swans and Hawthorn – has cashed in to add some challenging episodes, given rounds eight (Western Bulldogs), nine (Port Adelaide) and 10 (Collingwood) are to follow, completing a fascinating six weeks for the Demons.

Remember, at the moment, the Dogs are third on the ladder, the Power remains one of the teams to beat in 2015 and the Pies are second on the table.

Again, welcome to the AFL, where you should always expect the unexpected!

It once again reinforces that the competition is incredibly tight and difficult.

But there is no doubt Melbourne is now in a period that will test its mettle.

And that was the case on Sunday, when Fremantle ended up smashing Melbourne by 68 points at the MCG – the exact same average losing margin for the red and blue’s from its past five matches against Freo. 

Most in the game would regard Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn as hard a trio of teams to face. Sure, on current form, the Dogs might raise an eyebrow, after their outstanding win over the Swans on the weekend.

But when we’re talking about Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn, we’re talking about the three teams that have combined to make up the past three Grand Finals. So in anyone’s language, it’s a tough trio of matches.

Add to the fact that Fremantle has arguably gone to another level this year – it remains undefeated, on top of the ladder and looks to be the team to beat at the early stages of 2015 – and it wouldn’t surprise if Freo made its second Grand Final this year.

In many ways, it’s no surprise Fremantle is showing the type of form it is. It’s been building for a tilt at the flag in recent years, and this year it entered the season with the second most experienced list (in terms of games experience) and the second oldest squad in the game.

For the record, Fremantle fielded a side in round five that featured 2892 games experience (131.45 per player) to Melbourne’s 1874 (85.18 per player). The impressive young tall Matt Taberner was Fremantle’s least experienced with 17 matches to his name. The next least experienced was Lachie Neale with 51 matches. And he’s some player!

Conversely, Melbourne had nine players with 50 matches or fewer to their name.

It’s a fair difference.

Unfortunately for Melbourne, it also produced its worst game of the season, after entering round five with a 2-2 win/loss record. But the Demons won’t be the only side to cop a pasting from Freo this year.

In round two, Fremantle accounted for the Cats by 44 points at Simonds Stadium, which was Geelong’s biggest loss at its home ground since round three, 2006 against Hawthorn. It was also just Geelong’s fifth loss at the venue since round seven, 2007.

Freo has also defeated Port Adelaide, the fifth-placed and cross-town rival West Coast Eagles and Sydney Swans, so it has started the season in top form.  

This weekend, the second part of Melbourne’s trilogy won’t get any easier, when it takes on the Swans, particularly as they too will be stinging following their loss at home against the Dogs. But it does make for an intriguing match now.  

Melbourne has lost its past two matches to the Swans by 31 points on both occasions at the MCG. But this Saturday night is another great opportunity for the Demons and one they must back themselves.

The trilogy will be completed when Melbourne takes on Hawthorn – a team that the Demons haven’t defeated since 2006.

Pundits other than those who bleed the red and blue will no doubt tip the Swans and then Hawks, but if there is one match that Melbourne supporters definitely want to win – it will be against Hawthorn, given the brown and gold has won the past 11 encounters.

Not since the great David Neitz booted six goals in round eight, 2006, has Melbourne defeated Hawthorn. Yet, sadly, ‘Neita’ will be trying to make it 12, since he’s now in a coaching role with the Hawks!

For the Demons, the next two rounds are massive challenges. They’re playing the most recent Grand Final teams – on the back of arguably this year’s favourite.

But as Tom McDonald summed up following Melbourne’s loss on Sunday, when he spoke to Dee TV, “it’s a great stretch of games and challenges we’ve got”.

“[We’ve played Fremantle and then we’ve got], Sydney and Hawthorn. We’ve got to see where we’re at – it’s the only way to do it.” 

And he’s right.

We wait with anticipation for the second installment.