MELBOURNE will field an unchanged side in this week’s Round 3 clash with Brisbane after an impressive 17-point victory over the Magpies last week.
The Demons have found a good balance with their list and Katherine Smith says the consistency should help her side this Sunday at Hickey Park.
“We proved last week that we’re playing good footy together and everyone played their role which was perfect,” Smith told Melbourne Media.
“It’s a bit hard on the other girls because they played in the VFL match and they all played awesome.
“It’d be good to put them in the team but all girls on the AFL list performed perfectly on the weekend, so it’s good to have no changes and keep the consistency.”
Melbourne will take plenty of confidence on the road this week, looking to secure its second win from three matches.
“I think it’s a really good time to travel,” Smith said.
“Obviously off a win it’s always a bit sweeter and I think it’s a good chance for us to get out of Melbourne, get to know each other a bit more and also just get the job done.
“In reality you go over to win and all the extra social time together is a bonus.”
With the conference system in place this season, it is crucial for the Demons to win every game.
They currently sit in bottom position of Conference A after being grouped in a strong pool, competing with the Kangaroos, Western Bulldogs, Fremantle and Adelaide for a spot in the final’s series.
“You always go in wanting to win every game and not drop off because it’s such a tight season,” Smith said.
“Only playing seven games and then finals we definitely have to win every game from now on.
“Unlike the last few years, we don’t want to finish the season waiting to hear other teams results to see if we make finals or not.
“We want to make it a certainty that we’re in the finals and not leave it up to any other team to perform. It’s up to us to make the finals.”
The Demons will back themselves to beat any side in the competition this season, playing with flare in the opening two games.
Smith is one of many Melbourne players to have grown in confidence in 2019 as she enjoys a move out of defence.
“It’s been a bit different being a mid now,” she said.
“It’s exciting and I think it’s been a good challenge for me to take my football to the next level and to be a really good contested stoppage player.
“It was really good to go down back in the first week which gave me a bit of confidence but this week I see myself mainly as a mid.”
Brooke Patterson and Shelley Heath are the two emergencies for this Round 3 match which will kick off on Sunday at 4:35pm AEDT.
