MELBOURNE coach Neale Daniher has revealed how an address from club favourite Nathan ‘Doggie’ Brown in the lead-up to Monday's Queen's Birthday clash against Collingwood played a motivating factor in the side's 13-point win at the MCG.

Speaking in his post-match media conference, Daniher said Brown told his teammates how important it was to play in blockbuster matches such as the annual clash against the Pies.

Daniher spoke of Brown's impact after praising the outstanding efforts of Ben Holland, who shut-down key Magpie forward Anthony Rocca to just one kick and one handball. Ironically, it was Holland who replaced Brown in the team.

"[Holland] was great. Selection has a big impact; sometimes you get it right," Daniher said.

"Nathan Brown, we had to leave out unfortunately.

“He did a great job on [Andrew] McLeod last week and he spoke to the players actually when he knew he missed out and he's such a selfless bloke. He was disappointed he wasn't playing, but understood why Benny was coming in, in his place.

"[Brown said], ‘These are the big games I'd love to be playing in’ and it really sent a great message to the rest of the team, the selflessness to be a really good team.

"Benny came in and did a terrific job. There have been times when we haven't had anyone for Ben and he's copped it on the chin too, but it's great when these blokes have their day in the sun."

Overall, Daniher labeled his side's performance a "fantastic win".

"I've got a lot of respect for Collingwood and where they are at and they've been very good Collingwood, in chasing teams down and at three-quarter time it was very much in the balance and they did well to keep at us and keep at us," Daniher said.

"The script was, possibly from Collingwood supporters’ point of view, was that they'd overrun us, but I was really happy with the character of our group and we were able to weather the storm and really take the last quarter.

"We're a very competitive team when we get our best players out there and I thought we played some sensational football early – six goals six [behinds] … I thought we played our best footy early when the game was there at its hottest.

"We were terrific, but due respect to Collingwood, we were never going to blow them away – they're a very good team – and they came at us and it was even more pleasing to win, [given] the fact that we were able to overcome that and get the points."

Asked if the mid-season break had come at a bad time for Melbourne, on the back of its opening two wins of the season, Daniher said: "No I don't think so. It comes at a good time".

But what is Melbourne's aim for the rest of the season now? Daniher said he would let the playing group dictate terms.

"They'll reset and I'm not sure what they'll want to do," Daniher said.