Melbourne coach Dean Bailey left the public jubilation to others after their 96-point AFL demolition of Adelaide.

While president Jim Stynes described the 22.17 (149) to 8.5 (53) annihilation on Sunday at the MCG as their best win in three years, Bailey was immediately looking to next Saturday.

They now play North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium - Melbourne are yet to beat the Kangaroos or win at that ground since Bailey took over in 2008.

The superb upset win came after 10 days of intense media criticism, following the 54-point capitulation to West Coast in round six.

Bailey is out of contract at the end of this year and so the West Coast loss intensified speculation about his future.

But Bailey is well-known for an even public persona - win, lose or draw.

When asked about how he felt after Sunday's win, Bailey put all the praise on his players.

He also stressed that Sunday's triumph meant nothing unless they backed it up.

"Next week is the challenge - we played well today, we had an even contribution across the board from every player and we expect that every week," he said.

"The game doesn't change much.

"The next game is always the great challenge and the week after that will be another challenge and the week after that, will be another challenge.

"And you know what happens the week after that? Another challenge."'

While the vast gulf of a 96-point margin separated Bailey and Neil Craig, the Crows coach was in a similar frame of mind as he discussed their greatest losing margin since 2004.

The Crows under Craig have rarely let themselves be opened up and torn apart like they were on Sunday.

Only a week ago, they had beaten St Kilda in a riveting contest.

"I saw a performance last week against a hardened AFL club ... that I liked very much," Craig said.

"So I'm saying well, why not again, and again, and again, and again? - and that will be the standard."

Also on Sunday, Essendon recovered from a sluggish start to beat West Coast by 16 points and rise to third on the ladder.

The 16.10 (106) to 12.18 (90) result continued the Bombers' improvement this year and broke a four-game losing streak against the Eagles.

On Saturday night, Gold Coast rebounded from their Essendon thrashing to beat local rivals Brisbane by eight points, 18.16 (124) to 17.14 (116).

The heat this week will be on Lions coach Michael Voss, Craig and also on their Western Bulldogs counterpart Rodney Eade.

The Bulldogs only have two wins from six games after Saturday's eight-point loss to Sydney in Canberra, 10.13 (73) to 10.5 (65).

But Richmond continued their resurgence by upsetting Fremantle by 49 points on Saturday night at the MCG.

The Tigers kicked clear in the final term to win 23.10 (148) to 14.15 (99).

Geelong warmed up for Friday night's blockbuster against Collingwood with a regulation 66-point win over North Melbourne at Skilled Stadium.

The Cats set a record winning streak of 25 games at the one venue with the 19.13 (127) to 9.7 (61).

Round seven opened on Friday night with a 32-point win to Hawthorn over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

The Hawks overran the Power to win 15.14 (104) to 10.12 (72).

The round ends on Monday night when St Kilda and Carlton play at Etihad Stadium.

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