MIDFIELDER Nathan Jones says the team has not entertained the thought of playing finals this year, despite the Demons emerging as a late season contender for September.
Speaking at AAMI Park on Monday, the day after Melbourne’s 73-point win over the Swans at the MCG, Jones said Melbourne’s focus hadn’t changed from the start of the season.
"[It’s] the same old cliché - one week at a time. We've got a big challenge this week against Brisbane,” he said.
"Hopefully we can stay on the bike and take up that form that we produced yesterday and really take on the Lions and get another win."
On the back of consecutive wooden spoons, Jones was asked if the team would’ve taken 11th on the ladder at the start of the season.
But the nuggetty ball-winner said consistency and competitiveness was always Melbourne’s main priority this year.
"We knew that we had a strong pre-season and if we could get everyone on the park and create that competitive feel inside the footy club, we'd be able to produce some good performances,” he said.
"With the younger group, it's [about] consistency. What you've seen has been a little bit up-and-down and our starts have been poor and then have been good.
"We didn't put a figure on where we wanted to finish or how many games we wanted to win, it was more to put together consistent performances."
But Jones said the Demons now have the belief to compete with any team in the competition.
"I guess we're pretty confident after yesterday,” he said.
"We've got to go out and respect our opponent every week. The competition is so even these days that if you're a little bit off your game or a little bit off your start, anyone can win.
"So as long as we come out with the right attitude, the right mindset, the right pressure and starting the game well, I'm pretty sure we can be competitive against anyone in the comp."
With the likes of James McDonald, Brent Moloney, Jack Grimes, Jack Trengove and Ricky Petterd missing from the win, Jones said the club’s depth had gone to another level in recent times.
"It's a real promising thing and that's what you want at a footy club - you want some real competitiveness within the group,” he said.
"If you can have that, it's going to bring the best out in every player. That's what we've been looking for and we haven't been able to do that in the previous year or two.
"Now, we're trying to generate that and that's what we're getting - guys competing and guys playing well down in the VFL. It's putting pressure on the guys in the AFL to perform week-in-week-out.”
On the skipper, Jones is optimistic McDonald will be back in the senior side sooner rather than later, after he returned from a hamstring injury for Casey on Sunday.
"He's been a little bit unlucky. We'd love to have him back out there. He's such a great leader and he really sets an example for us and sets the tone for us,” he said.
"I saw him and he said he got through really well and if everything goes right, I'm sure he'll be back pretty soon."
