MELBOURNE is starting to learn what it takes to win games on the big stage, which is the next meaningful phase in the side's development according to coach Paul Roos.
The Demons won their first Queen's Birthday game against the Magpies since 2007, with a 46-point smashing of a lacklustre Collingwood at the MCG.
It snapped an eight-game losing streak (including one draw) and set the tone for Melbourne to display its newfound swagger and confidence.
"We've got to play in front of big crowds to learn how to win, and it's all about the evolution of the team," Roos said.
"The Anzac Eve [match] (against Richmond) is becoming an annual event as well, so if we can get a couple of (wins out of) those and perform well on those stages it gives the players some really good confidence and experience."
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The Demons moved to 6-6 for the season with the vital victory over the Pies, already just one win shy of the seven they logged in 2015.
The win also came at the right time after tight losses against Port Adelaide and Hawthorn in recent weeks and a tough assignment to come against the Sydney Swans with a six-day break next Sunday.
"Things can change really quickly, you lose today and you’re 5-7 and you start to think how much have you improved," Roos said.
"Today’s just a stepping stone along the way to where we want to get to, when we get there, that will be determined by how well we play and how other teams play.
"From our point of view it's on to Sydney and we’re going to have play really well up there against a very good team."
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Roos said the main turning point in Monday's match came in the second quarter when the Demons were able to affect spoils and bring the ball to ground in defence.
Collingwood's tactic of playing three players over 200cm – Mason Cox, Jarrod Witts and Brodie Grundy – in its team did not pay off and Melbourne exploited the selection error ruthlessly.
"I made a focus of it before the game and at half-time, not to expose it but just to say 'Guys, we can't get outmarked. Our strength is going to be on the ground,'" Roos said.
"There were a lot of different turning points in the game but that was one of them. Once we were able to bring the ball to ground, it looked a different game from our point of view."
Melbourne was spurred on by a colossal performance from ruckman Max Gawn, who had 27 disposals, 31 hit-outs and kicked three goals in the win.
Bernie Vince also had the ball on a string for his 42 touches and 11 rebound 50s, setting up the Demons time and again behind the ball.
Despite the big ruckman's stellar form, Roos said Gawn needed to produce it consistently to be considered in the 'elite' category.
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"He's been relatively consistent. There's been a few games that he's been disappointed in himself but generally he's been pretty consistent for us. That's an elite game for a ruckman, whether that puts him in the category ... it certainly does for this weekend. It's a pretty good game, 27 and three goals," Roos said.
"We all know as a footy club and Max knows you've got to do it over a long period of time. Certainly his graph is going in the right direction."
