MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos is stressing the importance of Saturday night’s 40-point win over Port Adelaide, describing it as the sort of victory that can help shape a player’s career. 

The Demons flew to Adelaide having failed in each of their previous 11 encounters with the Power in South Australia - a losing streak stretching back 16 years to 2000.

But the visitors rocketed to a 37-point half-time lead and, after withstanding a fightback, they kicked away late.

The win followed equally mature victories against Gold Coast in round 19 and Hawthorn last weekend.

With a side set to play plenty of football together in the future, Roos said the wins would help form the group’s mindset.

“These guys are going to be together for a long time; it’s a little bit different if you’re an older group and you’ve got four or five retiring and maybe a couple getting traded,” Roos said.

“I’m not going to pick the team but I suspect there’s going to be a lot of guys tonight that are going to be playing in round one next year.

“It’s tremendously important for a group that’s going to stay together for a long period of time.

“It sets up the belief for the group and trust in each other, what they can deliver – yeah, really significant.”

The win keeps Melbourne in the hunt for the most unlikeliest of finals births.

It sits ninth on the AFL ladder, well ahead of St Kilda on percentage but two wins behind eighth placed North Melbourne.

The Demons would have to rely on the Kangaroos losing to the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney in the remaining rounds, while they would have to beat Carlton next week and then upset Geelong - as well as making up percentage.

The scenario is hardly far-fetched, although Roos insisted his side wouldn’t contemplate playing finals until it was a reality.

“It’s mathematically possible but one of the things I’ve learned over the years - it’s a cliche but it’s true - all you can do is worry about Port this week, Carlton the week after,” he said.

“The ladder looks after itself, whatever happens, happens.”

Roos said the key to Melbourne’s success this season has been the even contribution from the playing group.

Saturday night was a perfect example, with impressive showings by the likes of Jayden Hunt, Neville Jetta and Oscar McDonald allowing for quiet nights from Jack Watts, Jesse Hogan and Jack Viney.

Roos revealed that last week’s win over the Hawks was the first time in his coaching career that every player received best and fairest votes.

“That’s one of the biggest reasons we’ve become a more consistent team - because we’re not relying on any one or two players now,” he said.

“Last week - I don’t know if I can say this publicly ‘Mahns’ (football manager Josh Mahoney)…last week was the first team I’ve ever coached - so check with Mahns if you can write this - where every player got votes in the best and fairest.

“That in itself tells you how much we’ve grown.

“It’s key to the improvement, no doubt.”