After a terrible start to the season getting thrashed to Hawthorn by 56 points, Melbourne began to lift their work-rate in games and indicate that they were beginning to successfully maneuver Dean Bailey's coaching-style.

They began to play a fast and exciting brand of football with heavy use of the corridor and playing-on in subsequent weeks.

Furthermore, unlike the 3 previous seasons, Melbourne began to cut heavy defects back to smaller deficits by preventing their opponents from scoring.

Melbourne was shown strong signs of competitiveness against the sides that eventually finished in the top 8 that year.

Melbourne competed in the Kaspersky Cup Exhibition Match against the Brisbane Lions on 17 October in Shanghai, China winning by 5 points.