THE MID-SEASON break is perhaps Melbourne’s best friend at the moment.

Given, the club has endured a bitterly disappointing – and much-scrutinised – season so far, it’s only natural the players and coaches are ready for break.

Coach Mark Neeld said as much to the media, following his team’s 83-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG on Queen’s Birthday.

“You’re (the media) one group of people that I aren’t telling where I’m going. But I’m sure you’ll find me anyway, probably at a red light. Give me a spell this week. Let me have a couple of days for a breather,” he said.

Even for the first-year Demons, who are relishing the opportunity to play at the highest level, the break is an important part of the season.

Matt Jones said he was ready, as did Dean Terlich. Both have been among the bright news to emerge at Melbourne this year. In fact, at the half-way stage of the season, only acting co-captain Nathan Jones has more disposals than M.Jones and Terlich at the club.

Considering M.Jones and Terlich were bargain selections at No.52 and No.68 respectively in last year’s NAB AFL Draft, they have proved their worth so far this season.

For Terlich, the 23-year-old, originally from Henty in country New South Wales (where he will return to his family farm for the mid-season break), the opportunity to simply play at the highest level after a taste as a rookie with the Sydney Swans in 2008, remains a buzz.

He spoke about Melbourne’s situation with perspective, reality and optimism – traits that are critical in times like this.

“Personally, I’m OK. I feel for blokes under more scrutiny and the club as a whole,” Terlich told melbournefc.com.au.

“Personally, I think Neeldy and Twig (Jade Rawlings) have done well at protecting the players, by keeping them out of the spotlight as far as the scrutiny goes.

“I’ve handled it quite well. It’s got to the stage where it’s quite frustrating and you want to tell people to back off, because they’re not in the inner sanctum, so they don’t know what’s going on, but there is no point in biting back anyway, so you’ve just got to take it with a grain of salt.”

But Terlich showed his empathy towards more seasoned Demons, who have endured the pain for much longer, particularly those that have been at the club since 2007 and onwards.

“I think I’m a bit more raw than others,” he said.

“I’ve only played 10 games, whereas blokes like Col Garland have played 90-odd games and lost almost 70 games.

“So for them, that could wear a bit thin, but to me that’s the one thing I can bring to the club – I can bring a positive attitude and some enthusiasm to the club.”

Terlich is naturally a positive person. He’s genuine, not manufactured. Already, he loves the club and being a Demon. And he wants to help the club rise again.

He understood that Monday’s performance was unacceptable. But remembering where he has come from – he was an overlooked mature-age prospect in several drafts – he is simply embracing his position.

“I keep my feet on the ground and I keep my realities in check – I’m playing AFL footy and I’m playing on the MCG on Queen’s Birthday. As a kid growing up that’s the sort of stuff you want to do,” Terlich said.

“When you look at things from the outside, looking in, you realise how lucky you are and how positive things are.

“Although we’re not winning and it’d be nice to win – I’m still living my dream.”