MELBOURNE'S Nathan Jones says the club's experienced players still have a critical role to play in turning around the Demons' fortunes.

While Jones admitted the changes being implemented might take time to yield positive results on the scoreboard, the older players on the list were still very much part of the plan going forward.

"These guys are on our list and are just as important as any other player," said Jones.

"We need them to stand up and perform and we need their form to be consistent."

Jared Rivers has been solid in defence this season, while Mark Jamar showed improving form last week against Richmond.

However the club's other experienced players have either been injured or in poor form.

Aaron Davey missed round two and is still struggling for form and fitness after an interrupted pre-season.

Brad Green was dropped after two weeks, and will now miss the next month after surgery on a dislocated finger suffered in the VFL last weekend.
 
Colin Sylvia has missed the first three games with a back injury, while last year's best and fairest winner Brent Moloney hasn't played since round one because of a groin injury.

Moloney faces a fitness test in his battle to be available for this week's game against the Western Bulldogs.

Jones said that morale remained high despite the Demons starting the season with three straight losses, and pointed to an increased effort in training as a sign that improvement isn't far away.

"Obviously the results have not gone our way but it is a long, long process," said Jones.

"Over time you will see a consistency of performance. Winning games will be the last thing that will be a by-product of the hard work we are putting in."

That hard work and adherence to structures has lasted in games until midway through the third quarter. Against Richmond on Saturday, Melbourne was 15 points behind with 11 minutes to go in the third quarter. The Tigers then kicked seven unanswered goals to take a 59-point lead into three-quarter time.

Eliminating such a patch has been the focus this week, with Jones saying that just eight points separated the two teams if that 11-minute period was removed.

"We have full confidence that if we can get that game structure and process right we can start winning games and competing for longer periods," he said.

There will be an added emotional element to Sunday's game, with the club paying tribute before the game to its champion and former president Jim Stynes, who died last month.

However Jones said the players would not prepare any differently for the game with the tribute an opportunity for everyone to celebrate Stynes' life.

"It is good for the supporters to celebrate, rather than mourn what Jimmy was to them," said Jones.

"For us it is another opportunity for us to perform and there is that added little touch of it being a tribute to Jimmy."