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Demons stay focused after blitzing Adelaide mission

3 minute read

Christian Petracca won't let Melbourne rest on the laurels of their hot early season form, as the Demons prepare for another quick turnaround to face Brisbane.

CHRISTIAN PETRACCA.
CHRISTIAN PETRACCA. Picture: Michael Willson/via Getty Images

Melbourne star Christian Petracca says it has been "mission accomplished" in South Australia but insists the Demons will not be getting carried away as they gear up for another tough test against the Brisbane Lions.

Simon Goodwin's men opened the Gather Round festival with a 15-point win over the Crows on Thursday night, five days after knocking off the Power in the first of their two Adelaide Oval fixtures.

Thursday's triumph completed a tricky road trip and extended the Demons' winning streak to four games, following a tumultuous off-season and defeat to Sydney in the opening round.

"I'm really proud of how we've handled the last six months, to be honest, but also the last two weeks," Petracca told reporters in Adelaide on Friday.

"We came here on a mission, wanting to win both games.

"We knew the Port game was going to be bloody tough, and it gave us a lot of momentum going into this (Crows) game.

"Both teams are great. I understand Adelaide's record is 0-4 but they don't play like that; their offence is awesome and their back six is great.

"We needed to bring serious heat right from the start and I'm really happy that we've banked both games and head back to Melbourne."

The Demons' South Australian road trip was made even more demanding by the short break between matches, which Petracca admitted had taken a toll on the players.

"Everyone's pulled up pretty well but there's general soreness from two games in five days," he said.

"I know I'm very sore, a lot of the guys are, and we're flying back to Melbourne.

"It's a big game against Brisbane next week so we'll have a good break tomorrow, a day off, and get back into it."

Melbourne could lose livewire Kysaiah Pickett to suspension after his high contact with Adelaide's Jake Soligo.

They will go into the encounter with Brisbane at the MCG on Thursday night as one of the competition's form teams.

"It's good to bank some early wins but we understand it's a long season," Petracca said.

"It's only five games in and momentum can shift really quickly.

"As cliche as it sounds, we've got to just take it one week at a time.

"There's no easy opposition in this competition. It's bloody tough so we need to bring our A-game each week."

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