MELBOURNE is refusing to dwell on the disappointment of how last season ended and is focusing on what it takes to be a great side in 2019, experienced defender Jordan Lewis has reaffirmed.
The demoralising 66-point preliminary final loss to West Coast is well and truly in the rearview mirror, despite questions continuing to be posed to Melbourne players about how the season ended on such a sour note.
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"I don't think it's been a massive shift in focus or attitude, we've always been a group that is really hungry and we understand we haven't achieved anything in football yet," Lewis said on Tuesday.
"So it's really important to attack pre-season especially after the disappointing loss in the prelim final, but we've got a highly motivated and competitive group so naturally that comes out in training."
Off the plane + onto the ground for some craft. ☀️#Maroochydore19 pic.twitter.com/WXJM4FCwyw
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) January 29, 2019
The Demons flew up to Maroochydore on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on Tuesday morning for a week-long training camp.
Training in the heat, team bonding and being in a different environment away from the prying eyes of opposition scouts and media were all benefits Lewis mentioned as being advantages of the camp.
"It's always nice to get up here and train on a bigger oval than we have at Gosch's Paddock and no one can stand around the oval and watch we do so we might try a few little things here," Lewis said.
Salem v Lewis v Jetta. pic.twitter.com/bxgwIbRVQl
— Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) January 29, 2019
The expectation on Melbourne is set to intensify in 2019 after its breakthrough finals campaign and projections of where the club sits going into the year.
Lewis said it was something the club had no choice but to embrace.
"It's better than rocking up to the MCG and understanding your side might get belted by 100 points," Lewis said.
"We'd certainly rather be in the position that we are now and Melbourne supporters can go to a game and expect to win or if not we're going to be really competitive
"We're really looking forward to the season. It's still probably two months away but it's about getting in a mindset that when the season comes around we're ready to go."
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The 32-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of 2019, is still yet to decide whether this season – his 15th – will be his last.
"It's one of those things that I might get asked throughout the year but I can honestly answer that I haven't really thought about it to be honest," Lewis said.
"I'll just play as we go and if it's it, it's it and if it's not I'll go around (again)."