MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says his club has been insulted by the "bruise-free" footy comments from two Carlton players and Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse's claim that young forward Addam Maric was a "cheat" for falsely claiming a goal.

An angry Bailey shot down an explanation given by Carlton coach Brett Ratten who attempted to defend Mitch Robinson and Dennis Armfield's use of the term "bruise free" in post-match interviews.

Ratten said his players were "taken way out of context" and they were referring to the Blues' own style of football when they spoke of their improved endeavour after half-time during Carlton's clash with Melbourne on Friday night.

But Bailey said the Demons weren't buying into Ratten's explanation, and indicated they would have "long memories" when the teams played again in round 20 at the MCG.

"Has he been misquoted? Misinterpreted? That happens a lot, doesn't it? That's not how we've read it," he said on Tuesday, just over an hour after Ratten spoke.

"I think our club is very insulted by it. We don't play bruise-free footy and it's an insult to the club and all our players and it's an insult to our supporters, and I think it's very disappointing a player can come out and have that sort of an opinion because we don't play bruise-free footy.

"Our contested possession, even though it wasn't great against Carlton, was very good the week before against the Saints."

Bailey said his players were disappointed by the claims but would be motivated this week against Essendon. 

He also refuted suggestion his side had been "soft" against Carlton in the 47-point loss.

"I absolutely and totally reject it. Go and turn the Adelaide game on," he said.

"We had some instances during the game where we were hard and tough at the footy."

Bailey admitted his club was in a "tough situation" where depth was being tested and everything was being scrutinised.

However, he went in to bat for 21-year-old, 18-gamer Maric, who Malthouse said on SEN radio station was a "cheat" for trying to claim a goal against the Blues after he failed to get his boot to the ball.

"It was absolutely over the top. You've got a young man who's played less than 20 games and for someone like Mick and the position that he holds, for him to very quickly jump down the throat of a young man and call him that is inappropriate," he said.

"For someone who's been in the game for such a long period of time, I don't think it's one, appropriate, and I think that's also very offensive as well."

Malthouse later backed away from his claim and said Maric's reaction had been "spontaneous" and he had not persisted with his wrongful pursuit of the six points.

The Demons will get midfielder Jack Trengove back from a three-week suspension this week for the tackle against Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield.

Bailey said the club was still fuming over the sanction.

"We've seen a lot of tackling going on in the last few weeks as well and the intent of the tackle, I think most of you have seen a lot of the tackles that have gone on," he said.

"I'm not sure if there is anything too different than what Jack had put through.

"If you only keep looking at the games that have been played and there are a few of instances where blokes have been slung in tackles but they seem to have been either forgotten, mainly because of the person that has been tackled hasn't received a concussion.

"I'm just wondering if there's any player at the moment who's been tackled during the game and missed the following week due to a tackle."

Melbourne challenged the decision at the tribunal and then took it to the appeals board.

Dangerfield played the following week and booted six goals. "It was a good effort to come back and kick six. He's a very good player," Bailey remarked.