Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin backs team to beat top-eight opponent

MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin has vowed to eventually secure a breakthrough win against a top-eight team with the Demons in danger of missing finals.

MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin has vowed to eventually secure a breakthrough win against a top-eight team with the Demons in danger of missing finals.

Goodwin said the Demons would “get over that hurdle at some stage” after his team failed to lock in a return to the finals for the first time since 2006. Sunday’s nine-point loss to Sydney at the MCG has exposed Melbourne to a nervous finish to the season after last year’s Round 23 disaster. They face the second-placed West Coast (Perth Stadium) and third-placed GWS (MCG) in the final fortnight and require one more win to qualify. MICK MALTHOUSE: THE BIGGEST MYTHS IN FOOTY SUSPECTED ACL: JOHNSON INJURY ‘DOESN’T LOOK GREAT’ Two losses would see the Demons turfed if, as expected, Geelong wins its final two games and Port Adelaide secures one more win. “We spoke about the next opportunity, which is next Sunday against the Eagles,” Goodwin said. “We’re not looking any further than that. We’re not sitting here and wallowing. “We want to get on with it, move forward and be really positive with our group. It’s probably why we sit where we sit. “This playing group is slowly maturing. They’re looking forward to these opportunities. “We’ll get over that hurdle. At some stage, we’ll get over that hurdle (and beat a contender), and I’m looking forward to that day. “Those results will change. We’re not sitting here saying that we can’t beat top teams – we’re looking to actually get there and break through that barrier.” This year the Dees are 0-7 against top nine teams with a percentage of 74.8 and 12-1 with a percentage of 174.8 against the bottom nine. The Demons were wasteful in front of goal but Goodwin said it was just an off day, with his team ranked No.2 for set-shots this season and No.3 for overall accuracy. “Our set-shots at one stage were 1.7, and (we had) another six misses as well. We had our opportunities.” Goodwin said Sunday was “nowhere near the level” of defending uncontested marks, with Sydney taking 99-61. The Swans were down to two on the bench by quarter-time and trailed Melbourne by three goals early in the second quarter. But Goodwin said his team’s poor connection in the forward half cost his team. He sent messages out to quell loose defender Isaac Heeney in the final quarter. The Demons manned Heeney up only three times out of their final six entries with the Swans’ intercept marking helping seal victory. Jayden Hunt reinjured the ankle which has previously casued him problems while Goodwin said Gawn (corked calf) would be fit to face the Eagles. Midfielder Bernie Vince underwent shoulder surgery yesterday and Goodwin said he faced about six weeks on the sidelines. Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin backs team to beat top-eight opponent