Tough AFL month ahead for Demons

Melbourne AFL coach Paul Roos says the Demons can draw from their fighting win over the Tigers to tackle unbeaten Fremantle.

Melbourne coach Paul Roos.

Demons coach Paul Roos says the team has enough confidence from recent wins to tackle Fremantle. (AAP)

Melbourne coach Paul Roos is hoping the stirring win over Richmond has given the Demons confidence ahead of a tough month of AFL action.

They are going to need it.

The Demons trounced the desperately disappointing Tigers by 32 points last round but face a major step up in class against undefeated Fremantle on Sunday at the MCG.

They then take on 2014 grand finalists Sydney, champions Hawthorn and the in-form Western Bulldogs.

"You'd hope so," Roos said of the win giving his long-time battling team self-belief.

"They're little moments in the journey of this footy club that you hope gives them confidence.

"But we won't know until Sunday."

Roos said that Fremantle deserved their status as a flag favourite, reinforced by their 14-point win over the Swans.

But he didn't think it would be a one-sided affair.

"If we can give the effort we gave on Friday night," Roos said.

"We're going to have to play well to give ourselves a chance.

"We've got to hopefully continue with that intensity and form that we've shown for most of the year against a high quality side that's undefeated."

Former great Jonathan Brown said after the Tigers match he couldn't recall a start to an AFL career as impressive as that of young forward Jesse Hogan.

Roos was also delighted with 20-year-old Hogan's development after he took six marks and kicked two goals on All-Australian fullback Alex Rance.

"You very rarely see him get out-marked and I think that's somewhat unusual - when they come in they're usually inconsistent with their effort but that hasn't happened with Jesse," Roos said.

"That's what I like about him."


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Source: AAP


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