Melbourne coach Neil Craig confident the Demons can improve after GWS Giants loss

A DEFIANT Neil Craig says Melbourne's 37-point loss to previously winless Greater Western Sydney was a big step forward from last week.

Melbourne

A DEFIANT Neil Craig says Melbourne's 37-point loss to previously winless Greater Western Sydney was a big step forward from last week.

And the interim coach insists he still hopes to lift the Demons out of their malaise.

Asked if the result hurt his chances of being appointed head coach at season's end, Craig said: "It's the same response. Until the club decides the type of coach they want, there won't be an issue for me."

The Demons followed up last week's 122-point loss to North Melbourne by becoming the first side this year to be beaten by the Giants.

Melbourne now sits just one victory ahead of the Giants on the ladder with a worse percentage and could even claim the wooden spoon should it lose its four remaining games and the Giants claim another win.

Craig felt the performance at Skoda Stadium was an improvement.

"Last week's loss was a really poor day for the Melbourne footy club because we were inept," he said.

"I didn't think we were inept today in terms of our effort.

"In fact if you look at a lot of the game statistics, the contested ball aspect was relatively even, clearances and centre bounces, relatively even inside-50s, so there's nothing there that says 'wow'.

"The one that stood out for us though was their scores from turnovers, and our turnovers were really poor.

"I thought we fixed up the effort part of it from last week, but execution was really poor."

GWS had 57 more disposals and eight more inside-50s and led at every change, although the Dees had plenty of momentum after kicking four of the last five goals of the third term to trail by just 13 points.

But the Giants slammed through seven goals to three for their first win against Victorian opposition.

Yet Craig insisted he was still well and truly up for the fight of trying to win back respect.

"The challenge becomes bigger, but in some ways more exciting, to be able to push forward and make this club an outstanding footy club again," he said.

"You don't just win in this game because you want to.

"You actually have to be good enough to win."