Luke Hodge says Melbourne’s lack of uncontested possessions in Monday night's loss to Fremantle exposed the side’s defensive frailties.
The Demons went down by 14 points in wet and windy conditions at Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns, losing the uncontested possession count by a whopping 108.
If Hodge was a leader at Melbourne, he would immediately question their defensive mindset and whether certain players in the side were “only worried about getting the ball”.
“When you’re in those conditions, it’s usually a surge game and contested style of football,” the four-time premiership Hawk told SEN’s Whateley.
“Fremantle last night had 206 uncontested possession to Melbourne’s 98 and what that shows me is defensively you’re not switched on so you’re only worried about getting the ball.
“If I was captain, I would be looking at that and saying, ‘Where’s you’re effort defensively?’, as soon as you bring defensive effort and shut down half those uncontested possessions, it makes Fremantle doubt themselves and then they’ll start making mistakes.
“The way Melbourne defended against them, Freo could do whatever they wanted so that would be the first thing I would (point out) – don’t worry about offensively getting the ball before their midfield can find the ball.
“Where they need to start focusing is defensively and making the opposition doubt and putting fear in their mind so when they do get the ball, they make mistakes and they can score from turnover.
“They need to dig deeper on the defensive end.”
Melbourne now face an uphill battle to play finals after two losses in the space of five days, which leaves them in 10th spot with two games left to play.