Having failed last weekend, Melbourne are more desperate than ever to notch at least one top-five scalp over the coming three weeks.

Saturday's clash with Geelong at Skilled Stadium will be the sternest test for the young Demons side, followed by assignments against Carlton and West Coast.

After flopping against high-flying Hawthorn on Sunday, coach Dean Bailey says Melbourne must have a win against a finals-bound side to ignite their season.

"You gain confidence from beating teams above you, there's no doubt about that, and we've got an opportunity in the next three weeks to do it," Bailey said.

"We shouldn't wait until the third week or the fourth week to do it.

"We had a chance on the weekend and we didn't take it and we've got another chance this week."

Bailey will this week reinforce basic areas of the game where Melbourne must improve if they are to play any part in the finals this year.

"What we learnt at the weekend is contested possession is a really important aspect," he said.

"The number of times we turned the ball over in unpressured situations was not good enough.

"Tackles are really important and stoppages and clearances are really important ... we play well in those areas ... every game you play you're every chance to win."

Melbourne are just one win outside the eight but, even if they fail to make the finals, Bailey said he would only see this season as a failure if players had not developed according to their potential.

"Games into the right players - that's what we expect to achieve. And we want to win games with those players," he said.

"I think we've played 36 or 37 players at this stage and we've unearthed three or four really good ones."

Meanwhile star midfielder Tom Scully should return to the Demons team to take on Geelong.

Scully was ruled out of the loss to Hawthorn with a persistent knee injury.

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