THERE were some positive signs for Melbourne out of last week's season opener against the Kangaroos but onballer Brad Green says the Demons won't be settling for honourable losses in 2009.

Melbourne challenged the Roos for most of their round one clash but fell away in the last quarter to lose by 34 points.

"We're looking to not only improve but win games. That's what we're about," Green said from Junction Oval ahead of Saturday's clash with Collingwood.

"No doubt it would be disappointing if we finished 16th [again]. We haven't put a benchmark on where we're going to finish on the ladder. We've set a benchmark that we've got to improve and win games as well."

Green is excited by the efforts of his younger teammates early in the season with their improvement to be the driving force behind the team's eventual revival.

But he admits there will be teething problems along the way.

"The young side that we've got playing at the moment is certainly going to have its ups and downs, it's a bit of a roller coaster, but there's going to be a lot of improvement on last year," he said.

"With the youth [of the side] there will be inconsistency not only week to week, but during games quarter to quarter, and that's where we've got to improve. Us senior guys have really got to take a bit of a stance and put a bit of an extra workload in.

"[But] as a senior player it's exciting for me to see Neville Jetta go out there and kick a goal, it's exciting for me to see Jamie Bennell take them on and run out of the back line with pace. These kids bring excitement to me."

Green welcomed the inclusion of Colin Sylvia, who has done everything required of him by the leadership group following his club-imposed suspension.

"Col brings another dimension to our forward line," he said.

"He had a pretty good game last week down at Casey and he brings that extra forward pressure and extra goalkicking power."

In further good news for the Demons, important forward Russell Robertson, who ruptured his achilles tendon last year, will play a half with Casey in a VFL practice match this weekend.