Melbourne coach Dean Bailey admits there were disappointing aspects to his side's 90-point win over Gold Coast at the Gabba, not least being the first team to concede a quarter to the fledgling AFL side.

Melbourne crushed the Suns 23.21 (159) to 9.15 (63), mainly on the back of an unanswered eight-goal run to close out the match before their bye weekend.

Spring-heeled forward Liam Jurrah, who was substituted out in the third term, and utility Cale Morton both kicked three majors to be among 13 goal scorers for the Demons.

After two wins, a loss and a draw from their opening four games, Melbourne heads into a bye weekend in reasonable shape - on the ladder that is.

Structurally and game plan-wise there is cause for concern.

Despite a thumping win and a massive percentage boost, the Demons were outscored in the third term 4.6 (30 to 4.5 (29) by the Suns.

Bailey offered Melbourne's poor decision-making - which was not necessarily made under immense pressure, and it's skill execution - which left a lot to be desired in the third term, as reasons for the third quarter lapse.

"It was disappointing not to win all four quarters," Bailey said.

"Our decision-making with our kicking let us down, we had some intercept marks taken...we turned the ball over kicking into the half forward area.

"Kicking is important all the time but our execution of the skill turned the ball over too much in the third quarter.

"There wasn't too many great phases in the game where the ball moved incredibly quickly from one point to the other."

Not only did the Suns win their first quarter of football for the season, they also kicked their highest score.

The Suns showed healthy signs of improvement and trailed by only 37 points seven minutes into the final term after midfielder David Swallow landed a 60m goal.

It possibly could have been closer had the suspended Cambell Brown been available and superstar Gary Ablett had not withdrawn because of a calf injury.

It took more then three quarters for Melbourne to put the Suns away with a last quarter goal rampage.

Despite the thrashing, Suns ruckman Zac Smith continues to improve and appears destined for greater things.

The three-game player drew enormous praise from Bailey and Suns coach Guy McKenna for his work at stoppages and his ability to be a formidable target in attack where he kicked two goals.

"There were pressure around the stoppages and we knew they were a good stoppages team," Bailey said.

"At times we let ourselves down in that area, but young Smith is going to be a superstar of the competition.

"He's tall, athletic and he's super impressive.

"I think the big bloke is going to be something special."

After three sizeable thrashings, McKenna remains positive about the future.

He continues to see improvement in his youngsters who have lost their opening matches by a combined 280 points and must now confront a revitalised Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Saturday.

"We leaked a bit but if you take away 20 minutes in the last quarter, I'd say it's a step forward," McKenna said.

"When we were clean and took first option the footy was exciting."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP