HARD-AT-IT Melbourne utility Colin Sylvia believes his side made some progress against Carlton at the MCG on Sunday, despite the Demons going down by 33 points - their fifth consecutive loss of the season.

Sylvia said his team was unable to capitalise in the second quarter when the Demons hit the front in the early stages.

"Early on in the second quarter, we were all over them, but we probably should've got a little bit more in front because we really had the momentum. The disappointing thing is they kicked seven goals unanswered after we got that momentum early in the second quarter," Sylvia told melbournefc.com.au.

"We hung in there and there was definitely some improvement, but we've got to be smarter with the ball going forward and we need to get a bit of synergy and be a little bit more predictable for one another.

"It's evolving and we're definitely improving, (and) we're not happy with the loss, but we took a little step forward."

Sylvia, a noted midfielder/forward, pushed back as a defensive sweeper for the Demons and was one of his side's better performers. He said he enjoyed the opportunity to further his game in unfamiliar territory.

"I went back late in the last quarter last week and the coach was reasonably happy, so he gave me a role to go back this week. I played a little bit on [Brad] Fisher and dropped back in the hole, so I enjoyed that.

"I enjoy playing in any position in the team. Sometimes you've got to be versatile and play anywhere the coach wants you to.

"It's another challenge as a player I've embraced. I haven't played a lot of backline footy in my career, but I enjoyed it, trying to read the play and running off."

Sylvia, who has had to contend with his fair share of injuries since debuting in 2004, said he still had to undergo a modified pre-season before 2008 started.

"The injuries and the osteitis pubis [have been a battle], although this year I've pretty much had a full pre-season. I'm still slowly building my loads and I'm not too far away," Sylvia said.

"It just goes to show you that if you miss a pre-season, you're not up to scratch. But this year I really feel I haven't missed a beat, and slowly but surely [I'm] improving each week.

"This is the best pre-season I've definitely had since I've been at the club. I'm in my fifth season now, and I've definitely got the most pre-season under my belt than I have in five years."

Sylvia, who was the third player selected in the 2003 draft, said he was determined to make up for lost time through injury.

"Personally, I'm pretty disappointed where I'm at, at the moment," Sylvia said.

"I [would've] loved a lot more out of myself. I'm in my fifth season and I haven't really set the world on fire and lived up to my expectations, and personally I'm a little bit disappointing - and maybe I'm hard on myself sometimes. I've got a long way to go and a lot of improving to go."