By Jay Clark

MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey has launched a spirited defence of the team's game plan after criticism it was not up with modern demands. Sydney premiership coach Paul Roos believes the Demons have struggled to implement a forward press and instead relied on generating too much scoring from defence.

Under Bailey, Champion Data statistics show the Demons rank poorly among clubs for the time the ball spends in its forward half. But after its 90-point win over the Gold Coast yesterday, Bailey said the team was trying to be consistent with the modern forward press tactics. "We want the game, like all clubs, played in our front half," Bailey said. "The argument is when we get it in the forward line can we pressure and keep it in there? "The stats that Roosy pulled out said that we are defending too much, well, we are. "But we are not trying to score out of our back-50m. We are not playing a game where 10 or 12 per cent of our scoring is going to be out of our back-50m. "It (the belief it is deliberate) is just incorrect."

Surprise as Melbourne name Jack Watts substitute
By Jay Clark

JACK Watts paid the price for his slow start to the season as Melbournes substitute. The decision to give him the green bib raised some eyebrows as the game against the Suns loomed as an ideal opportunity to help run the No. 1 draft pick into some form. He came on in the last quarter and had five marks, six possessions.

Brent Moloney lets football do the talking
By Jay Clark

IF Brent Moloney experienced one of the toughest days of his life last week, yesterday he sought some redemption. Shattered to be stripped of the vice-captaincy after a boozy night out, Moloney put the saga behind him, leading Melbourne to a 90-point drubbing over Gold Coast at the Gabba. It was as emphatic as on-field statements come, as the hard-nut gathered 32 possessions including 23 in a frenzied first half. But there were concerns in the third term for Melbourne as Gold Coast produced some exhilarating football to win the first quarter of its AFL life. While the Suns' first three games may have all resulted in blowout losses, the spirited fight back was a concrete pointer toward the bright future that clearly await them.

The Age

Melbourne beats Suns by 90 points
By Andrew Stafford

Melbourne may have steamrolled Gold Coast at the Gabba on Sunday but in the process they became the first team to lose a quarter to the fledgling AFL side. Melbourne were far from impressive even though they handed out a 23.21 (159) to 9.15 (69) drubbing in front of 12,111 fans. And at times they showed a lack of respect for their young opponents. After leading by 46 points at half time, Melbourne were outscored 4.5 (29) to 4.4 (28)in the third term by the Suns, who are still very much learning their trade. It was the first time the Suns have won a quarter and it was the highest score they have posted in their three matches.

The Australian

Bailey not content as Dees crush Suns
By The Australian

MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey admits there were disappointing aspects to his side's 90-point win over Gold Coast at the Gabba, not least being the first team to concede a quarter to the fledgling AFL side. Melbourne crushed the Suns 23.21 (159) to 9.15 (63), mainly on the back of an unanswered eight-goal run to close out the match before its bye weekend. Spring-heeled forward Liam Jurrah, who was substituted out in the third term, and utility Cale Morton both kicked three majors to be among 13 goal scorers for the Demons. After two wins, a loss and a draw from their opening four games, Melbourne heads into a bye weekend in reasonable shape -- on the ladder that is. Structurally and game plan-wise, there is cause for concern. Despite a thumping win and a massive percentage boost, the Demons were outscored in the third term 4.6 (30) to 4.5 (29) by the Suns.