Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove says his side took confidence from ... - Herald Sun

Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove during the big loss to West Coast. Relive the match at Live HQ. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE co-captain Jack Trengove has moved to douse the rising pressure surrounding Sunday's crunch battle against fellow straggler Greater Western Sydney.

Trengove dismissed calls the Round 4 battle was a must-win, instead declaring: "We going into every game wanting to win and this week’s no different."

And Trengove reiterated embattled coach Mark Neeld's positive response to Saturday's 94-point drubbing at the hands of West Coast.

The 21-year-old said the Dees' competitive first half was "some of the most enjoyable footy I've played in years", drawing on the improved effort four times in a nine-minute press conference at AAMI Park today.

"We take a lot of confidence out of that first half, and especially against a great team like the West Coast Eagles," he said.

"They’re vying for a top-four spot this year and we were able to deliver it out on the G and it’s just a shame we couldn’t do that for four quarters of footy."

Giant whack for Brogan

Trengove admitted the second half was "unacceptable" but said the Dees were unable to pinpoint the dramatic fall away as the Eagles rammed home 17 goals to four.

Asked what the consequences would be if the Dees could not beat the baby Giants, Trengove said: "There’s consequences of a loss every week and this week is no different, but we don’t even read into that.

"We’re going in there with full confidence that we can replicate what we did in the first half against West Coast against GWS, and that’ll hold us in good stead."

Trengove dismissed criticism the captaincy was burdening him, declaring he was about to reach peak fitness following a three-month pre-season layoff with a foot injury.

Clash of bad and worse for Dees

Tagger Jordie McKenzie is a chance to return from a calf injury against the Giants, while Dees performance manager Dave Misson said boom recruit Chris Dawes (hamstring) could line up in Round 5.

Misson said Lynden Dunn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Joel Macdonald were all chances to return against GWS, but defender Tom Gillies (groin) was likely to miss one more week.

The Giants must make three forced changes after losing Jon Patton (knee), Dean Brogan and Liam Sumner (both suspension).