While AFL finals do remain a remote possibility, Melbourne's season is all about regaining respect, according to veteran Brad Green.

The Demons made inroads in that quest with an accomplished 19-point win over Essendon at the MCG on Sunday, with Green starring with five goals and 27 possessions.

The over-due victory moved Melbourne into 11th position on the ladder, however they trail the eighth-placed Hawks by 10 points with seven rounds remaining.

Green said the players weren't finals focused.

"We're not even talking about that," the 29-year-old said.

"Our motivation at the moment, we spent two and a half years in the doldrums, we got our pants pulled down.

"It's about getting respect back and earning some pride for this footy club.

"We're not standing for that any more, we're out to win games, no doubt about that."

Green said he was enjoying the flexibility of spending the bulk of his time in the forward line, while also mixing it up in the midfield.

He said Melbourne's forward line was looking "dangerous" with the return from injury of Liam Jurrah and Colin Sylvia.

Sylvia, playing his first game since suffering a blood clot in his toe after round 11, made an impressive return with two goals and 29 possessions.

"To get Col, Liam, Paul Johnson back into that forward line, it's starting to look like a dangerous forward line down there which is great."

Green described Jurrah, who played his first AFL game since a pre-season shoulder injury, as one of the game's future superstars.

"LJ's an excitement machine, every time he gets the ball the crowd roars.

"People should want to come and watch Liam play, he's like coming to watch Gary Ablett, Lance Franklin, these type of players, the superstars of the game, and LJ's going to be one of those players."

Green was satisfied with his own stand-out form and said he got a kick out of helping the youngsters in the side.

"To get out there and try my best and help these young guys progress quickly, it's about helping them through the game and developing on the training track and out on game day.

"It's all about getting a smile on the face like I saw after the game, it's amazing what a win does."

The Demons travel to Subiaco on Sunday to face Fremantle, who are in danger of falling out of the top four following their shock loss to Richmond.

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