MELBOURNE's inability to beat any top-eight sides so far is a reflection of its up and down season and the club only has itself to blame, coach Simon Goodwin says.
The Demons are 0-7 against the top nine teams in the competition this season, with Melbourne blowing a big opportunity to cement a finals berth in a gut-wrenching nine-point loss to Sydney at the MCG.
Melbourne is 12-1 against the nine teams that make up the bottom rungs of the ladder.
SWANS HANG ON Full match coverage and stats
"It's probably why we sit where we sit. We've had opportunities and we haven't been able to take them," Goodwin said in his post-game press conference.
"We've lost another close game. We've just got to keep forging ahead. This group keeps putting itself out there and we've got to look for ways to get better and those results will change.
"We're not sitting here saying we can't beat top teams, we're looking to get there and break through that barrier."
Melbourne's fifth loss by under two goals this season consigns the club to seventh spot on the ladder, while a win would have seen the Demons rise to fourth.
Despite another tough loss and in the context of missing the eight in heartbreaking fashion by 0.5 per cent last year, Goodwin remains confident that this season is not a write-off.
"Not at all. This playing group is slowly maturing," Goodwin said.
"They're looking forward to opportunities, they're relishing these opportunities more and we've just got to continue to expose ourselves to these types of games.
"We'll get better at them. I sit here with confidence, saying that we'll get over this hurdle.
"At some stage we'll get over that hurdle and I'm looking forward to that day."
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Goodwin said defender Jayden Hunt would likely go in for scans after re-injuring his right ankle in the final term of the loss to the Swans.
It was Hunt's second game back (his first at AFL level) after injuring ligaments in his ankle in a VFL game against Collingwood in June.
"He's hurt his ankle again, so we'll just have to see how he goes," Goodwin said.
"We'll get that assessed and see how he pulls up during the week."
WATCH Simon Goodwin's full post-match press conference
Key forward Jesse Hogan had to battle through a foot issue during the game but Goodwin is confident he will be OK, while Neville Jetta was cleared of concussion after a big collision with Lance Franklin in the third term.
Star ruckman Max Gawn should be right for Sunday's trip to Perth despite being hampered by a corked calf in the game against the Swans, with Goodwin saying he battled on manfully despite his lack of preparation.
Veteran defender Bernie Vince had surgery on Sunday after suffering an injury to his AC joint in the first quarter of Sunday's VFL clash against Sandringham after he was omitted from the senior side.
"It's really challenging for Bernie, obviously going back to the VFL and only having the chance to play 10 minutes," Goodwin said.
"Clearly he's a really popular member of our playing group and we feel for him as a club, but his rehab will be around six weeks so we'll rehab it as best as we can and see where we're at in six weeks’ time."
