THE second half of the season always loomed as a challenge for Melbourne.

And so far it has met it.

Remember, just one win came after the mid-season bye in 2014 and three last year.

The fact that it has now claimed three victories, with another three rounds remaining is another pointer to improvement under Paul Roos and his team in 2016.

Reflecting on Melbourne’s latter part of the season – after it had the bye in round 14 – has produced some strong results.

It didn’t get the points against Adelaide at the MCG in round 15, but it pushed the Crows, before falling 22 points short.

Coming up short against the Crows was hardly a disgrace, given they are one of the genuine threats for this year’s premiership and have flourished under new coach Don Pyke. They have lost just five matches so far this season and at the end of round 20 are third on the ladder.

In round 16, Melbourne accomplished an important win – recording its first win in the Northern Territory in five years.

Melbourne accounted for Fremantle by 32 points, notching up its first win in Darwin since 2011 and its first victory over the Dockers in the same timeframe.

And although Fremantle has arguably been the biggest shock of 2016 – who would’ve picked the minor premiers of 2015 to have just three wins after 20 rounds in 2016 – it was still critical for Melbourne to overcome to hurdles in the one match.

St Kilda at Etihad Stadium in round 17 was incredibly disappointing for the Melbourne faithful.

Reality says it wasn’t a disastrous loss – frustrating, most definitely, but not a shocker.

The facts are that the Saints have won seven of their past 10 matches, sit ninth on the ladder and have a 10-9 win/loss record entering round 21. It is – realistically – the only team that can squeeze a side out of the eight now, which would most likely be North Melbourne, if that occurs.

The effort against the West Coast Eagles was exceptional.

Melbourne should’ve won it – had it not kicked inaccurately. It dominated most of the key statistics – particularly inside 50s. It wasn’t to be, but few teams can claim they have beaten West Coast in Perth in recent times.

To fall a goal short was admirable, even if it was a golden opportunity missed.

After travelling to Darwin and Perth in the space of three weeks, Melbourne returned to the MCG for the first time in almost a month and defeated the Gold Coast Suns.

Thanks to a Jack Watts goal, Melbourne held off the Suns by two points.

It was a Barry Crocker of a match to watch. But it was a win. And really, a win in an honest manner is all that anyone can ask for – even if it was scrappy.

In fact, those wins are integral to any season. Gritty, hard-fought wins are part and parcel of any long year.

The Suns also entered with some impressive form against Melbourne, having won three of their past four, so it was a good result for the red and blue.

And then came Hawthorn.

Melbourne’s best win of 2016 – and perhaps since its most recent finals win in 2006.

It had been 10 long years since it had knocked off the Hawks and didn’t the rusted on Melbourne fans love it! And so they should’ve. It was an outstanding victory and one of the club’s most memorable in a long time.

So since the mid-season break, Melbourne has bounced back, winning three of its six matches. It’s a good result, given it won one of its four from rounds 10 to 13.

In the process, Melbourne notched up its best season since 2006.

And for captain Nathan Jones, who had never tasted victory against the Hawks in 221 matches, it was a telling win – and an important part in the club’s latter part of the season.

“The players don’t talk too much about [the second half of the season], but I talk with the coaches about that a bit more and it’s been a big six weeks. We had a few short breaks and six-day breaks and a couple of long trips – one to Darwin and one to Perth – and we also had a game at Etihad [Stadium] as well,” he told Melbourne TV.

“It’s been tough for us, but in those moments, it challenges the group to get better and continue to find ways to get up and that’s the challenge of an AFL season, particularly towards the backend of the year. The boys are young and healthy, but that doesn’t take away from them being able to learn, particularly in preparation and recovery.

“We’ve learned some great lessons and we were disappointed not to get the result in WA against the Eagles and I felt like we regrouped really well in the last couple of weeks to get two wins. I think the way we’ve done it and the way things have unfolded during the week was a real sign of progression and I’m pretty excited about where we’re going.”

And so are those who bleed red and blue.