Leaders inspiring Demons 'to get better'
Melbourne is doing everything it can to ensure there's no mid-season slump, says co-captain Nathan Jones
The Demons, by their own admission, were particularly flat in a 41-point loss to North Melbourne last Sunday and head into Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium eager to atone.
Despite playing respectable football in the past month, Melbourne has gone 1-3 over that period and remain stationed in the bottom half of the eight (15th on the ladder).
Jones and the rest of the club's leadership group – Jack Grimes, Colin Garland, James Frawley, Chris Dawes, Daniel Cross and Lynden Dunn – have made a particular point of driving home the standards preached by coach Paul Roos.
"As a leadership group we've really looked at that and just made sure we're staying motivated at training and continue to drive the group to get better," Jones said at AAMI Park on Friday morning.
"One of the good things is that we've found ourselves in games, being able to scrap and fight and just through effort, be in the contest.
"We take light from that, we review games and we realise that it's an opportunity gone missing."
Jones and wife Jerri welcomed the arrival of baby girl Bobbi Grace this week and the 26-year-old admits it has been a hectic week.
"It's been amazing. It's hard to explain it, unless you go through it," he said.
"I'll get training done today and then off to the hospital to pick them up and take them home."
But, come Sunday, his mindset will be clearly fixed on taking down the Bulldogs.
The Demons lost to the Bulldogs by 16 points when the teams met at the MCG in round eight, after Melbourne dropped away in the final term.
Jones said this week's review has centred on making the appropriate adjustments to try to flip the result.
"We were really disappointed with how that result panned out," Jones said.
"We reviewed how we played against the Doggies last time and we don't want to lose to the same team twice in a year so we're really looking forward to taking on that challenge."
Dean Terlich has come into the side to add some defensive intensity, while youngster Dom Barry – who has been impressive in run with roles in the VFL – has also been included in the squad.
"He's (Barry) really athletic, he's got a great running capacity and he's a pretty good ball user and he really loves the contest as well," Jones said.
"He's pretty competitive and it'll be really exciting if he gets his opportunity."