AFL Rd 5 - Melbourne v Richmond
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: The Demons look dejected after losing the round 5 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 05, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Melbourne have left nine players back at home as they move to their Sydney hub ahead of Round 6, reports The Herald Sun. 

The Demons need a serious reshuffle up forward amid their struggles to score despite getting enough opportunities inside 50.

Braydon Preuss, Oskar Baker, Josh Wagner and Corey Wagner are among players that have been left behind to conduct intensive coaching with several assistant coaches.

The Demons departed Melbourne at 8.30pm on Sunday night  and have opted against taking their full list to their Manly training base.

Players including Jack Viney, Jake Lever, Tom McDonald, Nathan Jones and Jake Melksham were able to bring their families up with them.

Viney’s wife Charlotte only gave birth to daughter Mila Grace in the last fortnight.

Coach Simon Goodwin confirmed after Melbourne's loss to Richmond that the club would leave a group behind to ensure the club’s sole focus is on winning games.

The Demons have taken over a mini squad of players deemed most likely to play senior football sometime over the next five weeks.

Harley Bennell, Mitch Brown and Sam Weideman were all left out of their side against Richmond despite the clubs issues to turn inside 50's into scores.

While Goodwin will not wildly swing the axe, there will be intense pressure to play Bennell, as he provides some much needed class going forward of centre.

The Demons haven't managed score more than 10 goals this year, having put together scores of just 51, 54, 44 and 52 points.

Melbourne will look to get their second win of the season when play the Gold Coast Suns at Giants Stadium on Saturday at 6.05pm (AEST).