YOUNG midfielder Christian Petracca says the team's character was responsible for Sunday’s hard-fought victory over Carlton.

Melbourne's eight-point win was the third single-figure result to fall in favour of the red and blue in just five weeks, which has it sitting in fifth position on the AFL ladder at the conclusion of round 16.

“It’s unreal to be honest,” Petracca told melbournefc.com.au.

“Just our character in the last quarter, a bit of resilience when they (Carlton) kicked a few goals, to slow it down and then get a bit of momentum and composure.

“It’s just a great win under the circumstances we’ve had, with a lot of injuries and the media testing our culture and saying we’re undisciplined.”

In just his 32^nd AFL game, Petracca was crucial in the win with a game-high six clearances from his 25 disposals.

“We just knew that if we could stick to our bread and butter, which is our contested possession, that we’d get over the line,” he said.

With Melbourne’s injury list growing, the 21-year-old said the ability of inexperienced players to come into the side and play their role was a crucial component to the team’s success.

“The whole pre-season we’ve built to have great depth and a great understanding of our game plan," he said. 

“Boys are coming in and playing their role.

“We just want 22 guys to go out there each week, and they don’t have to do anything special, just do simple things and we will get the win.”

The absence of co-captains Nathan Jones and Jack Viney was another test for the young Melbourne outfit, but Petracca believes the spread of on-field leaders holds the team in good stead to face any challenges.

“We’ve got a great leadership group and each week they will rotate the captaincy," he said. 

“(Max) Gawn this week and maybe Lewy (Jordan Lewis), Tommy (Tom McDonald) or Bern (Bernie Vince) next week.

“We don’t rely on them, but they’re so good for their experience.

“Collectively, 22 players on the day have all got to be communicating and showing a bit of leadership.”

But it was an individual act from Lewis in the dying stages of the match which Petracca said proved the worth of the four-time premiership recruit.

“Lewy (Lewis) actually went up to him (Alex Neal-Bullen) and said ‘kick it to me, there’s only a minute left with two 30-second shot clocks’,” he said.

As a result, the Demons denied Carlton an opportunity to pinch the game.

“It’s just awesome, I’m just so proud,” Petracca said.

Melbourne has not made a finals appearance since 2006, but Petracca wants to end the drought and push for glory this season.

“You play footy to win premierships,” he said.

“At the moment the ladder is so even … every week you come and know it’s going to be a competitive game and you have to bring your best.

“We’ve got to give ourselves the best situation, the best chance to win it all.”