Melbourne are losing their “downhill skiers” reputation in the AFL as they develop a harder defensive edge, according to co-captain Jack Trengove.

While the Demons are yet to win this season, there have been encouraging signs in the past three weeks under new coach Mark Neeld.

They pushed the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda and were much more competitive last Saturday against Geelong.

Trengove said the biggest improvement had come with the team’s greater emphasis on defence.

“That’s probably where we’ve been scrutinised in the past … that we’re all downhill skiers and run forward,” he said.

“We’re great when we have the ball, but when we don’t have the ball that’s where we lack.

“It’s been a real focus … just really getting a hold of that and getting that right.

“There’s still a long way to go, but we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”

But Trengove agreed that it had taken the Demons time to adapt to Neeld’s game plan.

“There’s an element of that, Mark came in with totally new systems and game plans – it’s going to take a while for the boys to pick it up,” he said.

“It’s a big contrast between our last game plan and the one we currently have.

“We’ll get there eventually and I think when it actually turns around, it will happen really fast, but it’s just a matter of getting there.”

One player who has paid for being slow to adapt is No.1 draft pick Jack Watts, now in the VFL.

Watts was dropped after he was the only player not to lay a tackle against the Saints.

But Trengove said the tall utility was dealing well with the demotion.

“His attitude has been fantastic, he went back and from all reports played pretty well and kicked a few goals, which is nice,” Trengove said.

“But it’s pretty obvious from what Neeldy said, what he needs to improve on.”

Another Melbourne player in the VFL last weekend was Liam Jurrah, who has resumed from a hand injury.

Jurrah has endured a turbulent few weeks, with the indigenous forward facing charges from an alleged machete attack in Alice Springs.

“The best response you’re going to get from him is when he’s playing,” Trengove said of Jurrah.

“He’s up and about and definitely really bubbly around the place, just really enjoying himself at the moment.”

There will be no respite for the winless Demons this Friday night in the AFL when they face Hawthorn at the MCG.

The Hawks have an eight-game winning streak against Melbourne.

“The best way to measure how you’re going is to come up against the best and that’s where you learn the most as well,” Trengove said.

There has been media discussion about Trengove and co-captain Jack Grimes starting on the bench against Geelong, but the Demons are unfussed.

“There are no issues with it at all … it’s a team game and everyone has their turn starting on the bench,” ge said.

“It’s just a coincidence Grimesy and I were both on there at the start of the weekend’s game.”