MELBOURNE defender Jared Rivers has killed off speculation that his teammates are unhappy with first year coach Mark Neeld, describing it as "absolute nonsense".

He said he was amazed at the constant talk of a rift, and put it down to the media just trying to find something that does not exist.

" I personally think it is pretty poor journalism. The story has been around eight or nine weeks now and it is just a non-story," Rivers said.

"We are all supportive of Mark (Neeld) and the playing group and the leadership group. We've moved on and we're just trying to help each other out and move this club forward and take it up where it needs to be…could be time for a new story I reckon."

He said that Neeld was definitely a hard coach but joked that all coaches were when a team had lost nine games in row.

"You can easily go and have a chat with him and he will definitely tell you what you need to improve in and what you are doing well which I think is great, [having] a coach that is honest. I think that is all you can ask for," Rivers said.

The 27-year-old Rivers, who has been one of the Demons' most consistent players in 2012 as Melbourne has plummeted to the bottom of the ladder, admitted it had been difficult to stay motivated at times.

But he said the group was striving to put in a four-quarter performance and hoped to win won of its next two games - against Essendon and Collingwood - to build some confidence going into the second half of the season.

"We need to try to improve in the second half of the year because at the moment we are not doing our bit for the coach," Rivers said.

One player who is struggling for form is co-captain Jack Trengove. Rivers admitted the 20-year-old felt a bit down because of his on-field performances.

But Rivers said he was getting good support from everyone at the club.

"Like I said to him, he's doing everything right off field and he is working his bum off on field as well and it is just not working for him at the moment," Rivers said.

"I just said, 'Mate, it is tough times. You've just got to hang in there'. He is leading by example I reckon off the field. Hopefully he just keeps working at it and things click for him."

Rivers said he had been chatting with members of the Demons young leadership group in recent weeks to see what he could do to help, and was most impressed with their development.

"Both Jacks have been great," Rivers said. "Their willingness to try to help others off the field and on-field has been tremendous."