Melbourne coach Dean Bailey was left to contemplate the case of the disappearing Demons after another AFL win went begging and more players joined their lengthy injury list.

Leading by 31 points midway through the first quarter and running hot, the Demons lost by 41 points to North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

And any remaining elasticity in Melbourne's depth faces further stretching.

Defender Colin Garland and midfielder Rohan Bail look set for lengthy stints on the sidelines and utility Lynden Dunn faces match review panel scrutiny for making contact with the head of North's Daniel Pratt during the 19.10 (124) to 12.11 (83) defeat.

Garland has an ankle injury and his prognosis remains unclear, while Bail has damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee and faces up to six weeks out.

They join ruckman Mark Jamar, defender Jack Grimes, midfielders Tom Scully and Jordie McKenzie on the injury list, while midfielder Jack Trengove is suspended for another fortnight.

Bailey admitted Garland's ankle "didn't look good" and forecast sifting through the Demons' VFL side to find replacements.

But he was more concerned about his side's decision-making and skill errors during the game rather than blaming injuries for the performance.

"Probably the most disappointing thing of the whole game was when you start as well as we did, the third quarter we hung in there and didn't take our opportunities, and our opposition did," Bailey said.

"Our performance was below what it should be, so talking about the 22 who played is more important than talking about those who aren't playing."

The Demons say a leg injury to forward Liam Jurrah which sidelined him late in the match was not serious and he should be available for next week's clash with St Kilda.

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