MELBOURNE forward Russell Robertson, who booted seven goals in his side's 13-point win over Collingwood at the MCG on Monday, says he was a relieved man when he knew premier Collingwood defender James Clement was not playing due to injury.

Clement, who has missed the past five matches with a calf injury, has normally stood the high-flying Robertson. Instead, the Demon had Collingwood youngsters Harry O'Brien, Alan Toovey and Danny Stanley as his opponents.

"I know I'm going to have a massive, massive task [when Clement plays on me] and luckily James didn't play today. He's my hardest opponent – so I came to the game a little bit happier, knowing that I'm not going to have to work as hard," Robertson said after the win.

"I was lucky enough to get some really good passes from the midfield."

But once the in-form O'Brien left the field with an injured ankle and shoulder, Robertson gave first-gamer Stanley, who stood him for the majority of the match, a tough initiation.

"I knew it was going to be tough on Harry. He's a tight, close player and he likes to bash you around a bit," Robertson said.

"Unfortunately for him he had to go off and unfortunately for Collingwood he had to go off, because he's been a bit of a cornerstone for their defence lately.

"A couple of younger guys had to play on me (Toovey and Stanley), but obviously I got on the end of some nice leads and I don't think it'd matter who I was playing on, those kicks that I got today [were outstanding]."

Robertson said back-to-back wins over current top-eight teams – Adelaide and Collingwood - had only highlighted how frustrating the first half of the season has been.

"We're streets behind, but to beat Adelaide and then Collingwood on the big stage on Queen's Birthday, it just goes to show you that that first half of the season was a real waste, really," Robertson said.

"I know we had a lot of injuries, but the players aren't using that as any excuse at all. We've forgotten about all that stuff and now all we can do is change perceptions and change everyone's ideas on what the Melbourne Football Club.

"Now we've got that cattle around us and we see those guys we're used to playing with – and I don't mean to disrespect the guys that came in and played when those guys were injured – but when you've played a lot together, you get used to playing football together.

"It's no surprise that good teams are the ones that don't have injuries – they're used to playing together."