Two AFL games away from his 200 milestone, Cameron Bruce has just been through the biggest week of his AFL career.

Bruce, 29, was among the Demons' best as they held off West Coast to win by 20 points on Saturday at the MCG.

The defender spoke of how Melbourne had been determined to redeem themselves against the Eagles after three bad losses.

Then came the shattering news mid-week that club legend and chairman Jim Stynes was about to undergo surgery for cancer.

"For the circumstances, I've never had a bigger week at the club since I've been there, in terms of the training," he said.

"We were flogged during the week, and it's never been as disappointing on the field as the last three weeks since I've been there.

"To have that build-up and to get that result, it's a pretty special win."

Bruce had dinner with Stynes only three weeks ago and, like the rest of the AFL, found out about the terrible news from the front page of Thursday's newspapers.

"He still says he feels 100 per cent now," Bruce said.

"That's just the guy he is. You wouldn't know; he just goes about his business and he's an amazing individual."

Before and after the match, the team made a point of using Stynes' original No.37 jumper as a rallying symbol.

They formed a huddle around the guernsey in the rooms before the game and held it up to the crowd as they left the field.

Bruce said Stynes was also brought up at three quarter-time, with Melbourne knowing West Coast would come at them.

"He was briefly mentioned, about how we'd come as far as we had in the first three quarters and how a pretty important person would be watching and not to let him and the rest of the supporters that came today, not to let them down," Bruce said.

Melbourne now play Port Adelaide next Sunday at the MCG and Bruce said Saturday's big win should boost the last-placed side, who only have two wins for the season.

"Next week is a really winnable game for us too. We've got a good record at the MCG against Port, and we'll be going into that game with some confidence," he said.

"If we can bring the same attitude, hopefully we can go two in a row."

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