Matthew Lloyd is a believer in Melbourne, saying on the back of their win over Richmond on Saturday night that they can win this year's premiership.
Their match up against the Tigers at the MCG was billed as the club’s big test, one which they passed with flying colours to record a highly-impressive 34-point win.
The Dees are now six wins from six to start the season and unlike previous campaigns, Lloyd is now convinced their game plan will stand up during the biggest games this year.
“I tipped Richmond (on Saturday), I know Melbourne was going really well but we got to see them against the best (on the weekend),” he said on Sportsday.
“What we saw Richmond do against St Kilda, they smashed them and I thought the pressure was back. I like Richmond’s game against Port Adelaide the week before, but for Melbourne to overpower, outwork and outhunt and dismantle the Tigers (was impressive).
“Melbourne has always had some good patches, but you were waiting for them to fall. I see this team is believing in themselves and they have every base covered, I don’t see a collapse here.
“I think they’re good enough (to win the flag), there isn’t going to be a big crash for them. They’ll lose some games, but I don’t see anything in their make up to suggest they’re mentally fragile and they’ll come crashing down.
“This looks as sustainable as anything.”
Melbourne will take on North Melbourne on Sunday, but the venue for the Round 7 match is up in the air as a result of the Roos playing in Western Australia last weekend amid Perth’s three-day lockdown.
The game will either take place as scheduled in Hobart or be shifted to Marvel Stadium.