Paul Roos praised Melbourne's resilience after his new-look Demons scored an upset 26-point AFL win over Gold Coast at the MCG.
With seven players making their debuts for the club, Melbourne led at every change and saw off several challenges from the fast-finishing Suns on Saturday to record the 17.13 (115) to 13.11 (89) victory.
"This footy club has been challenged a lot and the results haven't been great when that's happened (in the past)," Roos said.
"We played some good footy ... (but) getting challenged in the second, third and fourth quarters and the guys responding on the ground, I think, was the most pleasing thing.
"The guys who came from other clubs really fit in exceptionally well and the new players all did their bit when they had to.
"It was certainly a good day for the club."
Gary Ablett played with his left shoulder heavily strapped and appeared to be hampered at times, but he looked set to break Demons hearts with back-to-back goals that narrowed the margin to eight points in the final term.
However, the Demons dug deep with Heritier Lumumba kicking an inspirational goal in his 200th AFL game that sparked a decisive four-goal burst.
Jack Viney shadowed Ablett for most of the game and kept the dual-Brownlow medallist to 19 possessions while gathering 24 of his own.
Nathan Jones worked hard for his 25 disposals, while Tom McDonald was important down back with 26 touches.
Dion Prestia led the way for the Suns with 29 possessions, with Michael Rischitelli also a key performer, but the pair didn't have enough support in a midfield that was outworked by the Demons.
The match started in fiery fashion with the Suns' Matt Shaw reported for a high hit on Dean Kent.
A nine-point quarter-time lead to Melbourne quickly blew out to 28 points early in the second term before the Suns enjoyed a bright patch with successive goals.
The Demons of old would've wilted under the increased pressure, but a team-lifting goal from Jones sent them into halftime with a deserved 25-point advantage.
Jesse Hogan was one of three Demons players making their AFL debuts and he put his side further ahead with the first goal of his career early in the third quarter.
Gold Coast mounted another challenge, with Rischitelli booting two goals and first-gamer Adam Saad adding another, but Melbourne replied yet again.
Former Carlton forward Jeff Garlett impressed with his forward pressure all day and booted his second goal as the Demons restored a 25-point buffer at three-quarter time.
Ablett turned the game in Gold Coast's favour in a thrilling final term, but the Demons held their nerve to get their season off to a winning start.
Suns coach Rodney Eade lamented the patchy performance from his side that he said lacked the effort and intensity required at AFL level.
"You need to be able to work consistently - you can't just do it in fits and starts," Eade said.
"At some stage, that youthfulness, talent and potential that we tend to give that latitude with inconsistency ... that runs out.
"That was certainly the disappointing part today."
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