MARK Neeld says that contested possessions and playing combative football will be focuses for the Demons when they play Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking at a media conference at AAMI Park on Thursday morning, Neeld recognised that these have been areas that the Demons have struggled in recently, but he had also seen gradual improvement.

“The focus for us is the contested ball, we’ve got to identify which areas we really want to build our game on and there has been some progress made in those areas,” Neeld said.

Neeld said that overall possession counts weren’t such a focus for the club, with Fremantle being a great example of a team that wins games of football without winning the possession tally.

“You don’t always have to win the disposal count, as the side that we’re coming up against this weekend proves time and time again,” he said.

The Demons won the first quarter against the Tigers last weekend, just the second time they have won a first quarter this year, and Neeld said it was a result of getting the basics right.

“I’d like to tell you that the pre-game address was one of the best of all time and you should get a hold of the tape, but it was just those basic things [that resulted in winning the quarter],” he said.

Neeld said facing Fremantle was a great chance for the team to see how a good club plays combative football.

“Those areas that we’re trying to focus on and improve each week, they’re almost bench mark in most of them, so it’s a good opportunity,” he said.

“They’ve got a few injuries but they’re still going to field a really experienced side, we know that they’re combative and play (Patersons Stadium) particularly well.”

Versatile tall Jack Watts may rejoin the side after injuring his hamstring in round five, with Neeld expecting the backman to enjoy the lengthy Patersons Stadium. 

“We know that he’s a really good user of the footy, so if we can get the ball in his hands across half-back that will help us,” Neeld said.

Neeld also said Watts may be used up forward against the Dockers.

“He’s shown in the last 12-18 months that he’s got good versatility at either end of the ground,” he said. 

“He went forward against Brisbane in the last half before he nicked his hammy and kicked a couple [of goals] in a half, so he can play at either end.”

Neeld has also been pleased to see Aaron Davey regain some form and fitness.

“He’s worked really hard to get himself into a fitness situation that he can be running out AFL games,” Neeld said.

“The way that he’s embraced being one of the elder statesmen at our footy club has been really positive.

“We know that we’ve got a heap of young guys and Aaron’s really playing the mentor type role off the field really well.”