TOM McDonald says co-captain Jack Grimes’ spoil in the last quarter of last round’s three-point win against Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval helped inspire the Demons to victory.

Grimes spoiled acting Adelaide skipper Patrick Dangerfield on the lead in an outstanding piece of play. The spoil earned massive plaudits.

“I thought it was fantastic,” he said.

“He stepped up and showed how quick he is, because [Patrick] Dangerfield is probably one of the quickest players in the AFL – and he was able to go with him.

“To be able to get the fist on the ball – it’s the most difficult of spoils, around the body – it was a real momentum changer and we were able to hang on. And that spoil really lifted the group.”

McDonald said he noticed a shift of confidence during the match against Adelaide, rather than after the game, but he added that it was imperative to back it up against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG this Saturday night.

“Especially, the first half, when guys were really taking the game on, which has been a problem for us in the past,” he said.

“But the first thing we spoke about after the game was not that it had to be a win this week, but it had to be at that level of intensity and that level of execution every week going forward for now.

“That was the first thing we spoke about after the game.”

McDonald, who has been in fine form for the Demons this year, said he was determined to keep building his game.

“My form’s been solid, without being spectacular. I think there is another level I can go to,” he said.

“I think when our backline plays well – it allows me to play well. It’s hard to play well as an individual, without the team playing well.

“The backline can be very much dictated by how the team goes. Apart from the Gold Coast, which I was a little bit disappointed, but most other weeks I think I’ve been able to do my job.”