Melbourne coach Dean Bailey has called on his midfielders to restrict Gary Ablett's effectiveness in their AFL match on Sunday.

The Demons will start rank outsiders against the unbeaten Cats and Ablett will come into the game with white-hot form.

He has amassed 46 and 42 disposals in his last two games - and has most probably scored six Brownlow Medal votes.

"Gary works incredibly hard as well - Gary is going to get the footy, it's whether we can affect his possessions, whether we can get him into an ineffective number of possessions, or his efficiency is low when he gets the footy," Bailey said.

"He creates the play, he is very difficult to tackle, so we've just got to make sure that when he's got the ball in his hands, the decision he makes with it is going to be difficult."

The Demons are coming off a 17-point loss to Adelaide last Sunday, where they had only managed three behinds to halftime.

Bailey said his players worked hard throughout that match and is demanding the same attitude against the all-powerful Cats.

"We still have to attack the game, get on the front foot," he said.

"We're playing against a very good team, but we have to make sure we're in the contest for as long as we can be and that's going to take a lot of effort.

"But the attitude has to be at its best against what most people would say is the best team in the (league)."

Provided key forward Russell Robertson trains well this week, he will return to the senior side for the first time since round 10 last season, when he snapped his Achilles tendon.

"I'd be lying if I said we wouldn't be seriously considering `Robbo' to play," Bailey said.

"If he gets through training, I'm sure he'd be well in contention."

Meanwhile, Bailey has defended midfielder Colin Sylvia after he was mocked on Melbourne radio last week for not knowing who was prime minister.

Sylvia was phoning Demons fans as part of a club drive to build their membership and one of his contacts was a radio talkback host.

In their conversation, Sylvia referred to John Howard as the current PM.

"Last week Col Sylvia had an opportunity to ring members and the story about Col is interesting," Bailey said.

"What didn't get out is that Col sold the most memberships - he sold about 25-26.

"Col spoke to at least 40-50 people over the phone, that didn't quite get out, the funny story did.

"Col's probably banked $3500-4000 in one night and I reckon he's done a pretty good job."

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