Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin believes the club is on the right path towards sustained success.
The Demons suffered their fifth consecutive loss on Sunday against Adelaide after leading by 28 points during the second term.
But the all-too-familiar tale of their inability to capitalise on their dominance allowed the opposition, and more recently the Crows, to gain ascendancy in the contest.
It comes as the Demons have won only six of their past 22 encounters, and despite blooding youth, and opting to select the next generation over veterans, Goodwin's charges have forgotten how to win.
However, what Melbourne fans can see is the path forward, and who the club can build its team around heading into the future.
Kysaiah Pickett leads the charge as the Demons', let alone the competition, as one of the most exciting players to grace the football field.
Defensive youngsters Jake Bowey and Daniel Turner have elevated their games to elite levels, and Trent Rivers' versatility presents him as an exciting prospect in 2026 and beyond.
Jacob van Rooyen regained some form after an inconsistent season to date that has seen him dropped to the VFL, while first-round picks Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay are getting better by the week.
Kozzy SOARS and slots the fifth in a row for the Dees ๐ฅ#AFLCrowsDees pic.twitter.com/SSFnGWLZZ7
โ AFL (@AFL) July 6, 2025
"We know where we're at as a footy club, in terms of what we're trying to create.
"I've said this a little bit, but we're in a bit of a hurry to try and transition to our next premiership team, and with that comes that you need to start winning, but you also need to build the right way.
"We're really excited about our youth and some of the players coming through. We're trying to mould the old with the new and create a new team, a new frontier for the Melbourne Football Club.
"The frustrating part of that is you've got to stick to the process at times, irrespective of result.
"Obviously, winning builds belief and confidence in what you're doing and where you're going, so we want to start getting some results."