JADE Rawlings says Melbourne’s first non-Victorian game of the season has come at the right time for the team.

The Demons take on the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, which will be the first of six interstate trips for the year. Melbourne will play in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Perth, Darwin, Hobart and Canberra from rounds eight to 20.

After dropping last Sunday’s clash against Hawthorn at the MCG by three points, Rawlings said it was a great opportunity for the team to bond away from home.

“From my experience, when you’re a Melbourne-based club, travel is always a positive thing,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“I’ve worked at an interstate club and it’s part of what you do – you almost get in the routine of travel and it loses its impact, and you become a bit immune to it.

“But I reckon if you’re Melbourne-based – and we haven’t travelled in seven weeks – it’s always an opportune time to really galvanise and go together as a group to go into battle, and get the reward that we’re after as a club.”

After producing a memorable three-point win over the Crows at Adelaide Oval in round seven, 2014 – Paul Roos’ first season as coach – Melbourne went down by 25 points the following year in round three, 2015.

And last year, Melbourne defeated Port Adelaide by 40 points in round 21. From five outings at the venue, the Demons have a 2-3 win/loss record, with an average winning margin of 21.5 points and an average losing margin of just two goals.

Rawlings said past encounters meant little this week, but he added that the players enjoyed playing at the venue.  

“I think our players enjoy playing there and they know the hostility that comes with playing in an environment like that,” he said.

“They’re clearly aware of the capabilities of Adelaide, but our last few times over there we’ve had really good games – a narrow win to us and another close one the time after.

“It’s not really relevant to now, but I know our players really enjoy travelling and particularly the Adelaide Oval.”

Still, Rawlings was fully aware of the challenges that face Melbourne this weekend – although its one the Demons are fully embracing.

“We didn’t bring the required level of intensity in the first quarter against Hawthorn last round. We were pretty frustrated with it and a lot of our review centred around it,” he said.

“We’re pretty aware of Adelaide’s capabilities this year and how they’ve been able to impose themselves on teams. They had a slip-up on the weekend and it’s pretty obvious what type of response we expect from them.

“We’re in a similar boat and we’re unhappy with where we sit on the ladder at the moment and we see that as a crucial game for us.”

In assessing some of the players to catch his eye in the first seven rounds, Rawlings highlighted several members of the team for varying reasons.  

“I think the consistency of Clayton Oliver, who has definitely taken his game to another level, and Jeff Garlett, has been really pleasing. I’ve really liked the emergence of Mitch Hannan – I don’t think anyone could’ve forecast him coming on the scene and having an impact for us,” he said.

“I’ve really liked Jayden Hunt’s progression. He’s become a genuine player within the competition these days. He’s also showed his flexibility to go forward and help change the momentum of the game the other day. I think for [Cam] Pedersen to be able to come in and show what he’s capable of – in a time of need with our rucks – has been important.

“We’ve had some players really step-up, but there are also some players who haven’t played to their capabilities, so we’re still searching for some consistency week-to-week from individuals, which then impacts our team.”