MELBOURNE will look to a method used by Fremantle in last week's derby when it attempts to end a long losing run against West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Sunday.

Freo troubled West Coast with its ball use through the middle of the ground and Melbourne assistant coach Sean Wellman believes it went a long way to breaking down the Eagles' defensive structure.

"Certainly Fremantle taking a few more risks and moving it through the middle of the ground seemed to work for them, and we'll be trying to take a bit of a punt moving it through the middle of the ground ourselves," Wellman said from Subiaco Oval on Saturday.

The Demons have not beaten the Eagles in Perth since 2002 and the challenge swelled when ruckman John Meesen's season was ended by a foot injury during the week.

It leaves Paul Johnson to carry the load against West Coast's All-Australian big man Dean Cox.

West Coast and Melbourne look improved far improved sides from last year's campaign, which saw them finish 15th and 16th respectively.

The Demons won their round 20 encounter at the MCG by 34 points and Wellman is confident his side's best football will be enough to topple the Eagles this time, too.

A round four win over Richmond was followed by losses to Adelaide and Geelong and Wellman said the Demons' focus was to be competitive for longer.

"I think we've played good football in patches," he said. "We know how good the Eagles are, particularly at Subiaco, so it's a great challenge for a young team.

"If we play at our absolute best we can win, but we understand that if we drop away and fall away it's going to be really difficult here.

"If we can be competitive for longer and stay in the game for as long as we can, particularly playing away, we think we're a chance."

Melbourne's forward line looked far more dangerous with the return of Russell Robertson, who kicked three goals against Geelong's Matthew Scarlett last week.

Wellman acknowledged Robertson's commitment to fight back from an achilles injury and was looking forward to him performing strongly again.

"For a guy who is 30 coming off a very serious injury, to come back and maintain his athleticism is a credit to how hard he's worked and the competitive nature of Robbo," he said.

"He just gives our forward line a different structure. He's a tough match-up because he can jump all over you, he's quick on the lead and can kick that freak goal."