Criticism has been flowing freely at slumping AFL club Melbourne, with the blessing of caretaker coach Todd Viney.

Promising young defender Luke Tapscott said Viney's coaching style mirrored his playing approach - honest and direct - and he was using his short reign to urge his players to be similarly frank with each other.

The powerful-kicking 20-year-old said there had been some long match-review sessions, in which players who had strayed from the team ethos or structures were bluntly rebuked.

"The players are trying to drive that at the moment," Tapscott told AAP.

"If we want to go forward, you've got to get the criticism, the positive criticism. That's going to help you in the best way.

"There's no point going the long way around. We might as well let each other know where we need to improve, so that's really what Toddy's trying to drive.

"We've tried to do it in the past, but Toddy's just brought it in and is really trying to drive it pretty hard. He just sees that as a way we can all get better."

Tapscott cited Colin Sylvia's demotion to the VFL, in Viney's first weekend in charge, to improve the defensive side of his game.

Sylvia was best afield against Richmond last round, although copped a two-match suspension.

"He was unbelievable, going back to Casey and he showed that he could do it and he came back to the AFL," Tapscott said.

"It was just bad luck that Col's been rubbed out for the last two games, because he was on fire and he was going back with the perfect mindset."

After three losses under Viney so far, the Demons are eyeing a chance to deliver him his first victory, against Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday.

Melbourne thrashed the Suns by 90 points in round four and are confident of another win as Gold Coast youngsters battle late-season fatigue.

Given the Demons then meet underperforming Port Adelaide, they are ideally placed to finish a disappointing year on a high.

But Tapscott, who has become a team regular since his opening-round debut, apart from some missed games through injury, said the Suns' good contested ball and clearance work made them a genuine threat.

He said the Demons could not afford to botch their chance over the final two rounds.

"It would be quite a big backward step if we go down to one of these teams over the next two weeks.

"But the boys are pretty confident that we're going to have two great wins."

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