Paul Roos says the learnings from the last-minute loss to St Kilda will improve Melbourne

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says he is confident his team will learn from its last-minute breakdown against St Kilda last week.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 14: The Demons are dejected after they were defeated by the Saints during the round 11 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Melbourne Demons at Etihad Stadium on June 14, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says he is confident his team will learn from its last-minute breakdown against St Kilda last week as the Demons turn their focus to Sunday’s big challenge against Geelong.

In its review during the week, Roos said the club had addressed the issues that arose from the two-point loss to the Saints at Etihad Stadium.

Jeremy Howe put Melbourne four points in front with 40 seconds remaining, but the Dees failed to defend the lead, allowing Leigh Montagna to kick the match-winning goal.

“It was a number of things that we needed to do better, I think it was just the lack of communication which we spoke to the players about,’’ Roos said.

“We have addressed it. I guess it is part of the learning for the group and for the coaches and how we need to address them and how they respond to things.

“Everyone learns differently ... there were also some roles that the players understood that weren’t executed regardless of whether we should have had one back or two back.

Jeremy Howe and Jack Watts celebrate their go-ahead goal. Picture: Getty

“It was a disappointing end to the game, but providing the players and coaches are learning from it we keep moving forward.’’

Despite the last-minute failings, Roos said there had been positive signs from the Demons in the past two weeks and it was important to keep the players positive.

“We feel we have had two really good weeks and haven’t had a result,’’ Roos said.

“In terms of back-to-back weeks, it has probably been a good couple of weeks, but you come away without four points.

“The key to it is keeping the players positive in those situations and reminding the fans and players themselves that they are improving and they are getting better. Otherwise you tend to go the other way and feel sorry for yourself and the bottom can fall out of the boat.’’

The Demons have added five players to their extended squad for Sunday’s clash against the Cats, including key forward Chris Dawes.

Dawes has endured a frustrating season with calf problems, but Roos said the Demons were confident in the big man’s fitness.

“He is certainly a lot fitter and healthier than when he was playing in those two or three games where he was touch and go, whether he would get up each Thursday and play on the weekend,’’ Roos said.

“So health-wise we are certainly a lot more confident in his body at the moment.’’

Melbourne have not beaten Geelong since Round 6, 2006 and have not won at Simonds Stadium since 2005.

But Roos did not believe those records would prove to be a psychological barrier for his team.

“Some of the records, you don’t play at venues very often,’’ Roos said.

“Sometimes people say you haven’t won at a ground in seven years, but you might have only played their twice.

“For us we know we are going to have to play some really good footy, we’ve played some consistent footy over the last two weeks, but we are going to have to play better than the last two weeks to beat Geelong there is no doubt about that.’’

Originally published as Paul Roos says the learnings from the last-minute loss to St Kilda will improve Melbourne