COACH Paul Roos says whoever losses this Sunday’s clash between Melbourne and St Kilda at Etihad Stadium will still be a good team long term.

Speaking at AAMI Park on Friday morning, Roos was adamant both teams were on the right track.

“Whoever loses this week, I think is still going to be a really good young team,” he said.

“I think we’ve got to be careful not to get too carried away [with the result].

“As much as we and they desperately want to win games – both teams are heading in the right direction.”

Roos acknowledged it would be a big test for Melbourne – taking on St Kilda for the third time at Etihad Stadium this year, which included one NAB Challenge win and a round six loss.

“St Kilda has been a challenge for this footy club and we know their best is really good, similar to ourselves in a lot of ways,” he said.

“Their best is really good footy and I read Richo (Alan Richardson) is striving for consistency and that’s what we’ve talked about all year, after last year.

“We’re really similar teams in a challenging environment … last week we were in the heat and the weeks before that we had two or three weeks in the rain and we’re indoors this week, so it’s exciting and it’s part of the journey that we’re on.”