Melbourne players hold honesty session to address their defensive issues after 0-3 start to season

Melbourne’s regular post-match review took a different path as players delivered blunt feedback to address their issues and ignite their season against Sydney. Find out what was discussed.

A dejected Nathan Jones following Essendon’s win. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne players gathered in a circle and delivered each other blunt feedback as part of a searing honesty session on Sunday.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Demons’ senior leaders led the soul-searching in a bid to correct their defensive problems and ignite their season with a win against Sydney Swans at the SCG on Thursday night.

In particular, the players addressed some midfield accountability issues which saw Essendon score 130 points against Melbourne on Friday night.

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Melbourne was scheduled to have its regular post-match review on Sunday at the club.

But the weekly meeting took a different path when all the players sat in a circle and opened up about the team’s poor start to the season and especially its defensive frailties.

The frank and forthright conversation was designed to deliver a wake-up call to the group after a disappointing 0-3 start to the season.

Melbourne was considered a premiership frontrunner in the pre-season but will be under pressure to make finals at all unless it can break its losing streak shortly.

The Dees take on the Swans, Saints, Tigers and Hawks over the next month.

Simon Goodwin’s men have conceded an average 114 points a game across the first three rounds, the most in the competition.

While some individuals and particular passages of play were singled out in the player meeting, the Demons remain united and are desperate to snap their three-game losing streak against the Swans in three days’ time.

Demons veteran Nathan Jones is under pressure to hold his spot. Picture: AAP

But it was made clear Melbourne’s core group of senior midfielders would have to improve their accountability and two-way running to help turn the corner.

These types of honesty sessions are commonplace for underperformed clubs and have been a key component of the successful Leading Teams leadership program which was fundamental in Geelong and Sydney’s premiership triumphs.

Co-captain Nathan Jones could come under selection pressure, along with new recruit Kade Kolodjashnij and Alex Neal-Bullen.

Former 194cm rookie backman Declan Keilty, 23, could also be in the mix to support the battered defence.

Gun full-back Steven May is still at least another one week away from being in the selection mix as he recovers from a groin problem.

May, from Gold Coast, arrived for the first day of Melbourne’s preseason in less than ideal physical condition and has subsequently suffered two soft-tissue issues including a hamstring setback over summer.

Devon Smith kicks one of Essendon’s 20 goals against the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein

Goodwin said on Saturday May would not want to make the same mistake next pre-season.

Melbourne is still the No.1 pressure team in the competition around the ball, but the Dees have been heavily scored against on transition.

Melbourne was one of the premiership fancies at the start of the season but is now under pressure to resurrect its 2019 campaign and make the finals.

To secure its first win of the season, Melbourne must end its SCG hoodoo.

Melbourne has not won at the venue — which has come under huge pressure for its poor playing surface this season — since 2006.