Demons primed for a crack at Saints: Jones

With new coach Paul Roos at the helm the Melbourne Demons feel they're in good shape to break through for their first win over St Kilda since 2006.

While most players dream of an AFL grand final triumph, Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones will settle for a round one win.

Since making his AFL debut in 2006 it's a feat he hasn't achieved but Jones feels the Demons are "primed for a good crack" at it against St Kilda on Saturday.

The closest they've come in that time was in 2011 when they opened the season with an 84-84 draw with Sydney.

"Personally I'd love to win a round one match, I don't think I've ever won one so I'm looking forward to that chance," Jones said.

Both teams are under-manned - Melbourne in the forwards and the Saints through the midfield - but Jones has faith in the players who will line up at Etihad Stadium.

"Although our forward line is understrength not having Dawesy (Chris Dawes), Hoges (Jesse Hogan) and Mitch (Clark), we're pretty confident with the boys we've got in there.

"Jack Fitzpatrick and Pedo (Cameron Pedersen) will be our keys and we've got some real talent around them in the mid to small forward range."

That's set to include exciting teenage forward Jay Kennedy-Harris while Jones also nominated mature-age recruit Alex Georgiou and trade acquisitions Daniel Cross, Viv Michie, Bernie Vince and Dom Tyson as likely starters.

"Alex has been really strong down in defence and he has had a great NAB Challenge series.

"He has been filling the role of Col Garland, who has been out for a while," Jones said.

As well as the poor round one record, Melbourne haven't beaten St Kilda since 2006 or won at Etihad in 16 home and away games.

But Jones said it was a fresh start under new Demons mentor Paul Roos.

"It's a new coach, a new game plan and a new season.

"We had some success there (beating Richmond) in the pre-season.

"I think the Etihad hoodoo or whatever they call it isn't real."

Jones felt confidence and self-belief were on the rise under Roos after a pretty bleak period.

"A lot of the players who have been through that were possibly scarred so Roosy has done a great job building back the belief and confidence.

We're looking forward to getting out there and testing ourselves against the Saints and, hopefully, implementing what we've practised in the pre-season."


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Source: AAP


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