Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is "proud of (his) players" after delivering two stoic victories against both South Australian sides played at Adelaide Oval.
In what was a unique fixturing layout, the Demons faced Port Adelaide and Adelaide in successive weeks, with the team opting to remain in their neighbouring state for the time in between matches.
Presented as a "unique opportunity" to connect and galvanise the club, Melbourne welcomed family members along for the trip to witness the AFL's second Gather Round and provide support to the players.
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Likened to the COVID-ravaged seasons of 2020 and 2021, where clubs were forced into hubs for months at a time to continue the AFL season, Goodwin and the Demons saw the trip to SA as a chance to build on what has been a positive start to the year.
"It was just a really good opportunity for us to unite and connect as a footy club," Goodwin said post-game.
"We saw some huge benefits through some hub times through 2020 and 2021 and to see that connection grow, not only with our players but our staff and obviously when you come on the road, we saw this as a unique opportunity to play two games on the same oval, prepare the right way and connect and be together as one, was an opportunity too good to refuse.
"The club were fantastic in enabling that to happen and we prepared really well."
Melbourne's Round 3 clash with the Power was a tough-fought win, as the visitors scraped over the line by seven points despite losing all key indicators throughout the match.
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Facing a five-day turnaround, the Demon coach was impressed his men delivered on the "big stage" as they opened the weekend extravaganza.
"I am really happy and proud of what they've been able to do, especially in the last five days, to come to Adelaide and play two really good footy clubs and teams and to come away with two wins, that's a huge effort by our boys," Goodwin said.
"To back it up from five days ago, which was a big night game, the first game of Gather Round, big stage and to deliver again, I'm just so proud of our players."
Melbourne recorded their fourth straight victory and presented themselves as genuine flag contenders with their only defeat coming from the hands of the Swans in Sydney.
Four wins on the trot? Yeah, good. ๐#DemonSpirit | #AFLCrowsDees pic.twitter.com/A3rGLmUy7R
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) April 4, 2024
Since their drought-breaking premiership in 2021, the Demons have finished top four but have lacked a forward potency that challenges the elite clubs despite their defensive prowess.
In the early stages of 2024, Melbourne averaged 88 points a game, with their forward line "cohesion" and efficiency becoming prominent areas of their output.
"Our forwards have a bit more experience than the past and have a great cohesion together, they work really hard ahead of the contest and they give our players options to connect with," Goodwin said.
"I think our connection and efficiency is getting better and those guys (forwards) are a big part of that.
"Working with Greg Stafford, they've worked hard to develop a forward line that's really potent and it's starting to come out in our game."
Aside from the Opening Round clash with Sydney, Melbourne's front half has been stable and consistent in terms of selection.
Goodwin is currently running with Ben Brown, Jacob Van Rooyen and Harrison Petty while Bayley Fritsch, Kysaiah Pickett, Kade Chandler, Jack Billings and Alex Neal-Bullen play as the supporting cast.
The continuity of the Demon side has them building confidence each week and will take some stopping from the opposition.
Melbourne face Brisbane at the MCG on Thursday in Round 5 before they head into the bye.
