'Not good enough': Backlash over AFL team's post-match celebration

Melbourne Demons midfielder Christian Petracca says a post-match celebration in which milk was poured over 21-year-old rookie Kade Chandler went 'a bit too far'.

Chandler was doused in water, Gatorade and a protein shake in the rooms following Melbourne's win over Carlton last week, prompting some criticism of the players.

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On Tuesday evening, Petracca accepted the criticism, admitting it was a poor look for the club and didn't show respect to club staff tasked with cleaning up their mess.

The star Demon said the incident had been quickly addressed after the game.

“I just think Gatorade showers are part of the game, but not milk,” Petracca told Fox Footy's AFL 360.

“Throwing water and Gatorade, fine, but I think milk goes a bit too far — our dietitian did a great job of providing protein shakes after the game.

“We addressed it after the game. We said if someone was to play their debut game, we’d probably do water or Gatorade, but milk is a bit too far.

“(Club captain Max Gawn) just said, ‘That’s probably not good enough’. Then our property steward’s got to wash up the ground. Water’s fine to wash up, but probably not milk — probably stains the ground as well.

“As a culture we’re trying to constantly improve, and these little things might not seem like a lot, but those little one-percenters add up.”

The Demons are riding high in the midst of an unbeaten run to begin the season, with last weekend's victory over the Blues extending their winning streak to nine games.

Demons riding high after unbeaten AFL start

The Demons went 9-0 for the first time since 1956 with a comfortable 26-point victory over Carlton at the MCG on Sunday.

The previous five times (1941, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1964) Melbourne have won at least nine-straight games during a season they have gone on to claim the flag.

The Demons lit up a wet and gloomy Victorian day with some red-hot football, downing the disappointing Blues 13.16 (94) to 10.8 (68) in front of 38,581 fans.

It was actually their 11th straight triumph, counting the two victories they had to round out the 2020 season, equalling the second-best win-streak in club history.

"It's a brilliant platform that we've clearly laid, and I think it's just great for the work people have put in and the reward for our players," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said.

"And I think it's also just magnificent for the supporters who continue to rock up here at the MCG and see them so excited with how their team play.

"Our challenge as a club is to continue to reset, do it again next week and take up the next challenge."

Rejuvenated Demons forward Tom McDonald continued his dominant start to the season with three first-half goals, while Bailey Fritsch also finished with a trio of majors.

Exciting small forward Kysaiah Pickett produced another goal-of-the-year contender when he expertly dribbled the ball through from a tricky angle in the third quarter.

In the final term, Pickett looked to have snapped another extraordinary goal but he immediately indicated to the goal umpire that Carlton defender Adam Saad touched the ball off his boot.

The Blues dominated clearances 48-33 but Melbourne had answers across the ground to quell any disadvantage at the stoppages.

Carlton's injury list grew with David Cunningham suffering a suspected season-ending knee injury in the first quarter.

With AAP

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