IN 2011 CARLTON players accused theirMelbourne opposition of playing 'bruise-free footy' – and Nathan Jones hasn'tforgotten.

Both teams are winless going intoSaturday's MCG clash and the Demons co-captain says it is a motivating factorfor him.

"I still remember it - I'm not sureabout the rest of the group," Jones told reporters at AAMI Park onThursday.

"It's definitely at the forefrontof my mind going into the game," he said.

Carlton's Mitch Robinson said the Demons"didn't want a bruise game" and were seeking to play uncontestedfooty, getting easy possessions, after the Blues' 47-point win over Melbourneearly in 2011.

Dennis Armfield also mentioned Melbournewanting to play "bruise-free footy" in comments on television.

The Demons players trained in wetconditions at Gosch's Paddock in Melbourne on Thursday and forward Chris Dawesput his hand up for selection in the AFL side.

Dawes, who has finally overcome apersistent calf complaint, trained fully through the session and generallyhandled the ball cleanly in difficult conditions as he presses to return by theeither the AFL or VFL this weekend.

His eagerness to return was clear,working on body positioning in marking contests and joining his teammates insemi-contact drills.

Defender Colin Garland trained with theVFL group before leaving the track early. He is considered a chance to returnthis week, following ankle surgery in late January.

Co-captain Jack Grimes, Dean Terlich andMichael Evans spent some time away from the main group, going through somerun-throughs on the outer side of the ground.

Jones admitted the Demons had so farstruggled to implement everything new coach Paul Roos wants them to do, butinsisted they were making progress.

"The game plan is where we'rereally believing and trusting in the coaches," Jones said.  

He insists things were different to thistime 12 months ago.

"Even going back to the pre-season,probably when the stakes are a lot lower, we were able to play with the freedomand execute," he said.   

"As the season's come on and fordifferent reasons, we haven't been able to do that for 120 minutes, but I thinkwe still draw on the positives and those little wins in games."

Jones said Melbourne players understoodand were supportive of teammate Mitch Clark's decision to retire as he dealswith clinical depression.

"The entire playing group wasprobably surprised, but I'm really good mates with Mitch and, probably readingthe play a little bit, saw that as a possibility," he said.

"I'd probably prepared myself a bitmore than some of the boys that weren't as close to him off field."

Forward Chris Dawes is close to beingavailable as he recovers from a calf injury, but could come back through theVFL.

Boom recruit Jesse Hogan is back runningand also edging closer to a senior debut.