MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says the progression of his side's backline was among the most pleasing aspects of its narrow loss to the Sydney Swans at Visy Park on Saturday.
Although the Demons lost their NAB Challenge match by eight points – 8.7 (55) to 9.9 (63) – Bailey was pleased with the efforts of his defence, headed by emerging key position players Colin Garland and Stefan Martin.
"Rather than individuals, I thought our backline as a whole was able to hold up pretty well," he said.
"They've worked really well with (backline coach) Sean Wellman and they're getting a bit of confidence and that was really good to see that they're working together.
"Once you get to a stage where they're healthy and they're fit, they can then start to play their game, which is all we're expecting of them.
"Today they combined really well and moved the ball at pretty good speed out of the backline. They looked to attack and back themselves in, so they showed a bit today. So as a unit, I thought they were pretty good."
Bailey said Melbourne's ability to compete for the second week in a row – on the back of its last-minute loss to Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium – was another step in the right direction.
"The players are working hard and every opportunity we get to play we're just starting to get a bit better. Today the stoppages really cost us, so that really probably cost us the game in the end," he said.
The efforts of first-gamers James Strauss, Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta also caught the attention of Bailey.
"I thought Jetta showed a little bit of agility up forward. He kicked a nice goal and had another opportunity and he looked exciting," he said.
"Bennell had three or four touches [and] hopefully people saw it and thought, 'He's going to be a really good player for us'.
"I thought Strauss, on a couple of occasions when he was under pressure, looked really composed with the ball and that was really good for those three blokes to contribute just enough and show what they've got. So I thought all three of them were pretty good."
Forward Colin Sylvia impressed with two goals and 25 touches and his game drew plaudits from his coach.
"Col had a good pre-season last year, but he's had a much better one this year. He ran the game out and had plenty left in the tank today," he said.
"The second half, he really stepped up and took some really good marks – one-on-one – and he had his chances to kick the football a little bit better a couple of times.
"I thought his second half was pretty good. I thought his first half was a bit scratchy, but I thought he came home really well and I think that's a sign of how fit he is."
Young guns Cale Morton (27 disposals and 10 marks) and Jack Grimes (26 touches) were also prominent.
The return of leadership group member Brent Moloney – after missing the second half of last season with a shoulder injury – was also encouraging.
"Beamer (Moloney) got through the game and was in the thick of it, which was really good to test his body out. He'll play again next week and get another game under his belt," Bailey said.
Sydney Swans 1.3 3.5 6.7 9.9 (63)
Melbourne 3.1 3.2 6.5 8.7 (55)
GOALS
Sydney Swans: Barlow, J. Bolton 2, O'Keefe, White, Moore, Pyke, Smith
Melbourne: Sylvia 2, Miller, Morton, McDonald, Newton, Davey, Jetta
BEST
Sydney Swans: Goodes, McVeigh, Bird, Buchanan, Mattner
Melbourne: Sylvia, Grimes, Martin, Bruce
INJURIES
Sydney Swans: Nil
Melbourne: Bell (corked thigh)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Vozzo, Statham, Gestier
