MELBOURNE has reached a critical point in its season. 

The Demons did so much right against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, but came up short where it mattered most – on the scoreboard – and have now slipped out of the top four.

Friday night's 10-point loss to the Power highlighted Melbourne's enormous potential, but it also exposed the flaws that are preventing Simon Goodwin's side from taking the next step and winning crucial games under pressure.

AFL.com.au has taken a look at what must change for Melbourne, which has an extremely tough draw to finish the season, to become legitimate top-four contenders.

Bite the bullet and select a second tall defender
Melbourne seriously considered picking 18-year-old tall defender Harrison Petty for the clash with the Power, and in hindsight it should have. Jake Lever's season-ending knee injury has left the Demons short in defence (literally) and Oscar McDonald needs help in that department. It's impossible to replace Lever's intercept ability, but his loss must force a reshuffle in defence. The Power exposed Melbourne's lack of height down back and it's something the Demons' coaching stuff must look at. Petty appears to be the top candidate for the role, with Sam Frost seemingly out of favour at this point. 

Melbourne needs Christian Petracca to become a four-quarter contributor
Petracca is a star and has all the tools to be a top-10 player in the AFL when he reaches his peak in a few years' time. After a bright opening, Petracca faded out of the game against the Power and the Demons suffered as a result. The 22-year-old has the ability to change a game in an instant, but he needs to work on having an impact across the contest. As Simon Goodwin put it during the week: "We're really happy with how he's developing, and we're really confident he's not that far away from having a real breakout period." You get the feeling that breakout period is not too far away, but Melbourne needs it to come quickly. 

Christian Petracca's got the talent but he needs consistency. Picture: AFL Photos

There's a place for only one of Bernie Vince or Jordan Lewis in the side
The end of the road has come for one of Melbourne's oldest players. Not for good, because Vince and Lewis still have the ability to contribute strongly at AFL level, but in a nimble Melbourne defence, where speed and agility is required to quickly shift opponents and press up on the ball carrier, Lewis and Vince's lack of pace is telling. An ankle injury to Jayden Hunt, who will be sidelined for another 4-6 weeks, may save Melbourne from making the tough call at this stage of the season. Still, the match committee must think long and hard about the team's best defensive structure going forward. 

There's a place for experience but can there be too much? Picture: AFL Photos

Clean up the delivery going inside 50
Melbourne is ranked No.1 in the AFL for time in forward half (+8.25) and again against the Power the Demons dominated the inside 50 count (68-39). However, for all the advantage it commands in the territory battle, Melbourne isn’t reaping the rewards. Too often against the Power, whose pressure, admittedly, was outstanding, the Demons midfielders bombed the ball to the outnumber in attack. To make the most of Tom McDonald and Jesse Hogan's potency, Melbourne must start to improve its efficiency and narrow its focus when moving the ball inside 50. 

An in-form Jeff Garlett should earn a recall
Melbourne has been crying out for someone who can make something out of nothing and Jeff Garlett fits the bill as a player who can provide that. Garlett lost his place in the side because his contest work was not up to standard, but at his best he provides an injection of pace, forward pressure and an ability to snag a goal or two. Although the goalsneak has not played since round five, it's time for the match committee to bring him back into the line-up.

Jeff Garlett can bring much needed X-factor to the Demons' attack. Picture: AFL Photos