Melbourne’s Dom Tyson confident Dees can break seven-year losing drought against Collingwood on Queen’s Birthday

EMERGING Melbourne midfielder Dom Tyson says the Demons must not squander their improving form as they attempt to end a drought against Collingwood.

Round 9: Richmond v Melbourne AFLR914 Dom Tyson kicks a goal .

EMERGING Melbourne midfielder Dom Tyson says the Demons must not squander their improving form as they attempt to end a seven-year drought against Collingwood in tomorrow’s Queen’s Birthday clash at the MCG.

Under new coach Paul Roos, the Demons have already won one more game than they did last season and are shaping as the most improved team in the competition.

While the on-field gains, including increased competitiveness, have clearly buoyed the playing group, Tyson said the Demons now had to capitalise with more wins.

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“Every game is important whether it is Essendon the week after or Port (Adelaide) last week, it is all important for us at this critical stage of our year I guess,’’ Tyson said.

“We played some good footy, but we have got to capitalise with wins now and compete for longer and just bring effort.

Tyson and the Dees have been gathering great momentum since their win over Adelaide. Picture: Simon Cross

“It’s all about effort for us. If we can’t turn up Monday then it probably erases a couple of weeks of good footy.

“It’s probably the same as the week after if we don’t back it up now and get a few more wins on the board, it’s doesn’t really mean too much.’’

The clash against the Magpies provides another test of how far the Demons have come, but their recent record indicates it will not be an easy task.

The Demons have not beaten Collingwood in nine attempts, with their last victory against the Magpies in the corresponding fixture of 2007. They have drawn once, in 2010.

In their past three meetings, the Demons have lost by 83 points, 42 points and 88 points, highlighting the gulf between what was a struggling club and one of the league’s elite.

Tyson, 21, said he was looking forward to testing himself against the Magpies’ midfield.

“They have obviously got a pretty good midfield, some superstars,’’ Tyson said.

“(Scott) Pendlebury is probably my favourite player to watch go about his business, he’s a great player. And (Dane) Swan has been an elite ball winner for five, six years or however long now.

“The younger players can pop up and play really good footy. (Steele) Sidebottom helps but they have probably got a player to come in and play just as well. Their depth is definitely a strength and we’ll have to be pretty on to match them.

“It will go a long way to us being in the game if we can negate their superstars and then match it with that second tier.’’

There had been questions earlier in the season whether the Demons had made the right trade call in snaring Tyson.

The Demons handed over pick No. 2 for in their deal with Greater Western Sydney but as the season has progressed, Tyson has emerged as a key plank in the club’s rebuild.

Tyson is averaging career-high disposal counts. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

He is averaging more than 24 disposals, including 30 against premiership contender Port Adelaide last week.

“I’ve been relatively pleased (with my form). I started off OK and had a few quiet games in the middle there, but feel like the last month or so I’m really hitting my straps and playing good footy,’’ Tyson said.

“It’s pretty easy when we have got Nathan Jones in there who is a superstar of the comp, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross, Jack Viney.

“So it feels like we are building a pretty good group together and Mark Jamar, he gives you first use, so it just feels like we are playing good footy as a midfield group.’’

Tyson said he felt ‘’relaxed’’ about comparisons with the Giants’ Josh Kelly, who was taken with that second pick in the draft.

“I don’t read too much into that stuff,’’ Tyson said.

“He is obviously going pretty well and I can just look after how I’m going. You’re not going to get traded back for him or anything like that.

“He will go well and I look forward to him having a good career and watching him play footy.

“Hopefully it’s a trade that you look back on and it’s a win-win for both teams.’’

Originally published as Melbourne’s Dom Tyson confident Dees can break seven-year losing drought against Collingwood on Queen’s Birthday