Melbourne have set themselves for a 'mini-season' as they prepare to mount a late charge for an AFL finals berth.
The Demons emerge from their bye with a tough encounter against sixth-placed Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.
Melbourne, currently 10th, are one of five sides with 6-7 win-loss records who sit two games outside the eight and can't afford any slip-ups with nine home-and-away games remaining.
"It's huge ... we only spoke about it (this week) about these nine games being almost like a mini-season for us," Melbourne midfielder Bernie Vince said on Wednesday.
"We need to beat a lot of teams in the eight in these next nine weeks, but the Crows and West Coast (currently eighth) and those teams around the sixth to 11th range on the ladder are really important to win.
"It's like a double win or an eight-point game, but you can't just be looking at them either - we've got to plan to beat everyone we play."
Vince played 129 games for the Crows before he was traded to Melbourne after the 2013 season.
The Demons will take on Adelaide a year to the day after former coach Phil Walsh was tragically killed.
"It's a big game playing against your old team, but being the anniversary (of Walsh's passing), they want to handle it pretty privately, speaking to a few of the guys," he said.
"I'm sure they'll be trying to get up for him to win.
"We'll be preparing for their best ... we do that with every team. Whether they find an extra little bit in his honour, we'll see Sunday."
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