Melbourne swingman James Frawley says his Demons out to regain respect after recent Queens Birthday beltings

MELBOURNE forward James Frawley says the Demons have the chance to regain the respect of the AFL community on Monday against Collingwood at the MCG.

Melbourne training at Gosch's Paddock James Frawley Picture:Wayne Ludbey.

MELBOURNE forward James Frawley says the Demons have the chance to regain the respect of the AFL community on Monday against Collingwood at the MCG.

While the Demons have taken great strides this season, having already banked three wins, Frawley understands the significance of the Queen’s Birthday showdown against a club it has not beaten in seven years.

“It is going to be a massive game for the club and the team,” Frawley said.

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“It’s a really good chance for us players to gain a bit of respect back from the AFL community because there is going to be a lot of people watching it.

DEES OUT TO SCRATCH SEVEN-YEAR ITCH

“So hopefully we can come with a really good attitude and everyone come and have a crack and hopefully we can play some good football.”

Frawley said the Demons recent run of good form, including a highly credible 20-point loss to ladder leaders Port Adelaide in Alice Springs last week, has given the players new hope of winning on a weekly basis.

James Frawley has been swung forward with success this season under Paul Roos. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“There’s definitely positive signs, I think we pushed them all the way to the end. It’s probably a big step from the last few years where we have come.

“Hopefully we can keep improving every week and every game, which has been happening over the year. I think we started a bit slow and then we just kept getting better each week.”

Melbourne’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by today’s opponent and Magpies football director Rodney Eade said the Demons had a game plan to test the game’s best.

“Last week they pushed the top side (Port Adelaide) really until the last 10 minutes of the game to show that they are playing well,” he said yesterday.

”They have got a definite game plan with the way that they are going about it and they have got a lot of confidence and belief in that.

“But it’s more the way that they are playing and certainly from our point of view we don’t underestimate them.’’

The Magpies have welcomed midfield reinforcements for today’s clash, with Brownlow medallist Dane Swan and veteran Luke Ball back in the side after missing last week’s win over St Kilda.

“They needed the break last week, they were a bit sore, but hopefully they can perform well (today),’’ Eade said.

Second-year ruckman Brodie Grundy has been left out of the Magpies’ line-up, but has been named as an emergency.

Originally published as Melbourne swingman James Frawley says his Demons out to regain respect after recent Queens Birthday beltings