MELBOURNE leader Brad Green says some cold hard facts were spoken among the players after last Saturday's disappointing first-round loss to Hawthorn.

Green said the group is now determined to produce a four-quarter competitive effort against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.

He added the acid was placed on every player, not just the senior group.



Green said coach Dean Bailey's tone "went up a few decibels" after the loss.

"Some of the players know where they stand coming into this week's game," he said.

Green said Melbourne must raise its intensity and effort to an "all-time high" to overcome its great arch-rival this round.

"I reckon we played stop-start footy and Dean has been drilling it into us to play exciting footy. We've just got to get the ball going, play on at all costs and get it into our forward line as quickly as possible," he said.

The 29-year-old praised the efforts of young duo Tom Scully and Jack Trengove, who debuted last week against the Hawks and were among Melbourne's best.

"They showed on the weekend, they've got no baggage and they just came in and played football and they played like we all should play," Green said.

The classy Demon expects to play a mixture of roles for the rest of the season, with his ability to play across half-back, in the midfield or up forward making him one of the team's most versatile players. 

Reflecting on his career in the lead-up to his double-ton milestone, Green said he had no qualms about opting for a career in the AFL, ahead of pursuing soccer (he even tried out with Manchester United and spent time at Old Trafford as a 15-year-old) or cricket.

"There were never any regrets with what decision I made with the soccer or the cricket and I love playing this game of AFL footy," Green said.

"I love running out on the MCG and I love playing for the Melbourne football club - it's my passion and it always will be, so there's certainly no regrets there."