MELBOURNE won't "gift" young players games for experience's sake in the remainder of the season, coach Paul Roos says.
The Demons coach was disappointed with his side's effort in a 41-point loss to North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday and believed his side looked mentally fatigued.
However, just because his players are tired doesn't mean Roos will hand players games they don't necessarily deserve.
"We just want to set a standard for our players to come into the team," Roos said.
"I think that's really important at this club because it hasn't happened before so we're certainly not going to gift games just because they're young.
"I think the club's been down that path…I don't believe in that because I think you can get good habits playing seconds and then if you deserve to play you get a game.
"We want to drive some high standards in the seconds, if they play well they'll get a game. If they don't, they won't."
Roos thought the Demons went away from the basics that have made them competitive in most games this season.
"We can't have bad patches. We got back within seven points in the third quarter and then it drops off again," he said.
"We've got to be consistent with our effort because there's a reason why you're down that lower end of the ladder."
The Demons only had "two or three" good players, including Bernie Vince and Jack Watts (23 disposals, eight marks), according to the coach.
Vince was superb, particularly in the first half when he racked up 25 touches and booted three goals.
The former Crow finished with a career-high 41 disposals in what Roos thought was probably a best on ground display.
"He was outstanding to have 40 possessions and three goals," Roos said.
"We probably only had two or three best players and if he wasn't best on ground – I don't know who was – but he was close. He was very, very good."
Melbourne will be intent on revenge from a loss earlier in the year when it takes on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
