Colin Sylvia fends off Ted Richards with Dane Rampe on the left. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
MELBOURNE coach Neil Craig has rejected suggestions the Demons are clawing back respect, despite an encouraging performance against Sydney.
Melbourne has improved during Craig's three-game tenure, defeating the Western Bulldogs and fighting until the end in the 31-point loss to Sydney.
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But the caretaker coach stressed the club had a mountain to climb.
"To use a racing term we've played a Group 1 horse today ... and they're a fair-dinkum footy side and they've been like that over the journey. That's how we need to be judged - over time."
The Demons were smashed in several areas, but were far from disgraced.
"In the end we only had 30-odd inside-50s (36), lost the stoppages by 20, had minus 41 contested ball and 16 less scoring shots. Let's keep it in perspective guys. That's a long way away from being a successful club," Craig said.
"In a lot of ways you could say we were dominated, but I do admire the resilience of this playing group.
"I was encouraged by their mentality to keep coming and to stay at the task.
"There's a fierceness in your mind you've got to come with and I thought our guys held that for much of the day, but we've got to now channel that fierceness and energy into know-how."
Demons defender Colin Garland described the performance as a "continuation of where we're going".
"I think we made some strides in the 'keep coming' aspect," he said.
"I think Sydney will tell you they had to play four quarters against us. Maybe earlier in the year we were two-and-a-half quarters and then we were gone. There were some areas of the game we got really shown up. We got a great lesson in what team footy is and Sydney are the benchmark with that.
"But ... this group is in a lot better position than it was the last time a new coach came in."
Melbourne v Sydney,MCG Melbourne, James Frawley, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source:
Craig said full-back James Frawley was subbed off with hamstring tightness and was still a chance to face Geelong on Saturday.
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