Melbourne's AFL injury crisis has worsened, with Colin Garland and Rohan Bail the latest players to be forced out of action for at least a month.

But Demons vice-captain Aaron Davey says the team must stay focussed, saying they can find consistent form and stressing the need to stick to their game structures.

Garland is out for 6-8 weeks with an ankle injury and Bail (knee) will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

Mark Jamar (knee), Tom Scully (knee), Jordie McKenzie (groin) and Jack Trengove (suspension) are already out of the side, while Jack Grimes and Jake Spencer will miss the rest of the season.

Defender Jared Rivers also faces a fitness test on his ankle before Saturday's must-win game against St Kilda.

"We've been hit with a few injuries, but we have guys who can play," Davey said at Tuesday's launch of the AFL indigenous round.

"You saw Stefy Martin fill the void of Mark Jamar on the weekend.

"It's going to be a massive challenge, we have St Kilda and the big teams like Essendon and Collingwood.

"But this is where we're really be tested and see how guys respond.

"We tend to get up for big games and the question mark probably hangs over games we should win."

A week after demolishing Adelaide by 96 points, the Demons squandered a five-goal lead and lost heavily to North Melbourne.

It again raised significant questions about what Melbourne can achieve this season.

Davey defended team-mate James Frawley, who implied post-match that Melbourne had given up.

"It's just one of those things in the heat of the moment, things boil up," Davey said.

"Things tend to come out when you don't think through it - we didn't give up, it was all credit to the Kangaroos."

The Demons' inconsistency has also put the spotlight on team leaders such as Davey and captain Brad Green, who are not in top form.

Opposition teams are clearly putting more work into Davey, one of the game's most skilful players.

"I guess you take these things as compliments - it's not a start I'd like to have had," he said.

"In saying that, I've still been able to play my bit for the team.

"The last thing you want to do is sit down, dwell on it and get down on yourself.

"I'm all about moving on and being a leader - I've got to do that.

"If my team-mates see me not doing that, it becomes infectious, the group will start struggling."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP