Power to aim straight for defensive Demons

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Melbourne's defensive pressure has been causing sides to be inaccurate in front of goal. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

IT'S the dirty little secret of Melbourne's much-hyped defensive improvement this season - just how inaccurate opposition sides have been against the Demons.

It started in round three, when Greater Western Sydney kicked 10.19 to keep what could have been a 10 goal loss for the Dees to a more respectable 32 point margin.

Carlton was even worse the following week, kicking 7.16 against Paul Roos' side, who would later benefit from the wayward shooting of Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide and Richmond.

So while there's no doubt Roos has tightened things up at the back, Melbourne's ninth-ranked average score against of 80 points per game might not be looking so impressive if opposition sides had made them pay more often.

It suggests Port Adelaide's ability to convert in front of goal could be a decisive factor in today's game in Alice Springs.

Power coach Ken Hinkley has made his players continually work on their goal kicking and they entered this weekend ranked second in the competition for scoring accuracy at 61.7 per cent.

But Hinkley believes Melbourne will also play its part, saying the Demons deserved credit for the pressure they were applying in the back half.

"It's certainly a lot about what they're doing ... pressure results in rushed decisions and rushed disposal, which can cause (the inaccuracy)," Hinkley said.

"I'm not sure if all the shots have been like that but I think they're putting great pressure on sides and making it a tough game.

Port Adelaide have strengthened their position on top of the AFL ladder, beating Hawthorn 100-86 at Adelaide Oval.

"It's typical of what Roosy has coached in the past and it's what he's coaching again."

Perhaps the most noticeable change in Melbourne's defence has been its midfield's commitment to pushing back to support the back six.

It's often resulted in congested opposition forward lines, which explains the low number of marks opposition teams have been taking inside their forward 50 against the Demons.

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