IT'S NOT easy being a key defender when the ball is hammering into your area like a gale.

James Frawley has been one of the poor blokes waiting at the last line of defence as the Demons conceded 142 inside 50s in the past fortnight.

On 52 per cent of those 142 occasions, the opposition has scored - an indication that Melbourne's defence has held up reasonably well under serious pressure.  

Frawley has been stoic in the face of such unrelenting pressure, restricting Eagle Josh Kennedy and Tiger Jack Riewoldt to one goal each in the past fortnight despite the Demons suffering heavy losses.

A wry grin appears on Frawley's face when he is asked what it's like playing in a backline under such relentless attack.

"You learn on the job when it comes down as much as it is," he said. "Tom McDonald (the 19-year-old has played four games) is learning pretty quickly. (It's a) big learning curve for those blokes."

Making matters worse, when Melbourne is rebounding out of the backline, it has been struggling to take the ball from defence into its own 50, doubling the pressure. Frawley said the players have seen vision showing how mistakes and turnovers are hurting them.

"I suppose we are really good when we are fresh, and in the first half [of games] we have been really good, but when we are tired the game plan goes out the window a little bit. It's probably cost us a few inside 50s," Frawley said.

The tough full-back said it was not a question of work rate, as the Demons are working very hard. It's more a matter of players making quick decisions and being decisive in their actions.

"We need to be more proactive and get out and actually spread ourselves rather than (be) chasing opposition midfielders," he said.

But Frawley has the temperament of a backman. He only looks to the next contest or the next week. He insists that while the focus on the club in the first part of the season is intense, it hasn’t' been mentally draining.

The opportunity to play the Bulldogs on Sunday presents another chance, in Frawley's words, for the "backline to really have a crack."

Frawley has a crack every week. It's part of his brand. He says the team needs a consistent effort from more blokes for four quarters. It's the sort of direct talk the Demons need to hear in order to improve.

"It's more about effort at training. (It's) pretty simple really," said Frawley.

"If we get out there and have a crack the supporters will be happy with us and we will be happy with ourselves. (I) suppose the group has got to get out there and give it our best shot."

James Frawley is a $322,100 defender in Toyota AFL Dream Team. Register your team here.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs