Bailey: Time to back up

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Melbourne coach Dean Bailey has challenged his players to match the intensity they displayed in their victory over West Coast at the MCG when they back up against Port Adelaide next Sunday.

Inspired by club president Jim Stynes' resolve to overcome cancer following the stunning announcement of his diagnosis with the disease during the week, the Demons were pumped up from the opening bounce in Saturday's 20-point win.

Bailey believes his players largely achieved the balance of emotion and focus that he was looking for but appreciates they can't rely on external factors every week.

"They can sit back now and the reward is what they're feeling right now - it's a great confidence boost," said Bailey.

"But there are areas of the game we've still got to improve on and ... the great challenge next week is to back it up with a fair dinkum approach against a quick team who move the ball very well."

"Next week's another game and we can't always rely on external situations to create that emotional attachment - it's time for us to take some responsibility."

Bailey gave an insight into his final pre-match instructions to the team which were delivered as the players assembled in a circle in the dressing room, linking arms around one of Stynes' old guernseys, which had been laid on the floor before them.

"I just said to them the jumper has got to mean a lot to you when you put it on and ... with the emotional build-up with Jim, it's something we all needed to step up," said Bailey.

"He was expecting everyone to step up and as a playing group we needed to put some pressure on ourselves to perform."

"We might have been emotionally charged too much but, shit, I'd rather them be that way than the other way, I think."

Bailey said the team's tackle count - 89 for the match which bettered their season-average by a staggering 38 - was the barometer for their intensity and collective need to perform for Stynes.

"It was going to be a large determinant on how we were going to go today if we could make more of them stick," Bailey said.

"The boys were hard at it and we gave away a few free kicks but I think the emotion was going to be there anyway."

"You don't want to hold it back too much but you don't want it to be over the top but ... the intent was pretty clear."

While the Demons may feel entitled to a few concessions for their efforts, it seems the coach has the opposite in mind.

He said he's seriously considering ordering them to repeat last week's tortuous swim off the end of Middle Park pier back to shore through the icy waters of Port Phillip that was reportedly not well received by several players.

"If it's worked this week, we may up the ante for next week," Bailey said. "I don't see why we can't get back down there again."

"I don't think we'll be taking the foot off the accelerator just yet."