DOM Tyson says an even contribution was the reason for Melbourne's 23-point win over Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday.

Tyson, who returned to the side, after he missed the past two matches with a knee injury, said it was a good win in the context of the season.

“They’re (Port Adelaide) good opposition and they’re vying for that top four/top eight spot, so anytime you can beat a side in and around you, it’s good, particularly after last week where we let ourselves down a bit against Adelaide,” he told Melbourne TV.

“We got back to our brand and the type of footy that we’ve been trying to implement all year.

“I felt like it was a good win and it was good for us moving forward.”

Tyson was one of Melbourne’s best with 29 disposals, including 21 in the opening half, when the red and blue set up the win. But he acknowledged that it was testing coming back after a couple of weeks out injured.

“I probably ran out of legs a bit, but I was moving well and felt confident,” he said.

“I had a bit of a knee injury, so it was good to have a good group of inclusions today. I was lucky enough that I could run in straight lines for the last two weeks, but it was just a bit of agility. So if I could get a bit of miles into the legs, then I wasn’t too far behind with my fitness base.

“The other inclusions came in and did their job. [Christian] Salem did his job, Wattsy (Jack Watts) did his job and [Jack] Viney was an unbelievable effort to get himself up to play. He was two weeks off an operation, but I don’t know if he feels pain or not, Vines, but it was a great effort from him. He brings a really aspect of his game to the side.

“I just feel like we have 22 contributors and the guys coming in also contributed, so it was a good team win.”

Tyson said co-captain Jack Viney was an inspiration, given he missed just two matches with a plantar fascia injury, which required surgery.

“Just having him out there – you just get a confidence boost, because he’s such a bull around the contest and he’s your captain and we love him,” he said.

“He just brings such an energy and a ferociousness to the team, particularly around the ball.

“Seeing him earlier in the week – he was hobbling early and just got better and better every day, but it got to Thursday and he trained, and we were thinking he might be a chance. He got up for it and played really well.”

Tyson said the early signs were that he pulled up OK from his knee injury. 

“We’ve got North [Melbourne] next week, so I’ll just have to ice up and take it easy and then reload,” he said.