IT'S TWO weeks into the season, and Melbourne's percentage sits at a woeful 36.83 – hardly the start the club had hoped for in its 150th year.

And things might be about to get even worse for the oldest club in the competition. Next week the Dees travel to Skilled Stadium for the hardest gig in footy – an appointment with Geelong, now red-hot after a 99-point hiding of Essendon.

Which begs the question: is there any hope for Melbourne supporters? The short answer, sadly, is probably not – at least this year. Two hidings does not a season make, but the Dees look some way from playing competitive footy, let alone mounting a charge on the finals.

Long term, of course, hope springs eternal – but the club needs practical solutions to its current malaise. Here are five things the Demons need to begin to turn things around:

Health
Football clubs don't like to use this as an excuse, but the reality is a fit and healthy list will invariably have greater success than teams that are hit hard by injuries. Melbourne has not had a good run in this area over the past 12-18 months, and currently has too many players carrying battle-wearied bodies.

Patience
The club has 12 new players (including rookies) on its list, representing a fairly significant generational change. Youth is now coming through, with 22 players beginning the season aged 21 or younger, but many are far from being ready to play consistently at the top level.

Hunger
Perception is not always reality. But the perception is that the team lacks hunger or passion - particularly from several senior players. For this to change, the playing group must lead, display intent and effort over four quarters. Otherwise, perception of a lack of hunger will continue.   

Solidarity
What Melbourne doesn't need is in-fighting and finger-pointing within the club. It needs unity - a vital ingredient in football. Coach Dean Bailey is already conducting himself with aplomb in the face of adversity. He and his football department need to be given time to jell for the benefits to be reaped long-term.

Personnel
This will only come through time and the recruiting process. Even then, hard-bodied, key-position players don't grow on trees, but tough talls and genuine pace must be a priority come season's end.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.