"In a competition where you want every team to be competitive, it's not where we would like them to be and if you're a Melbourne supporter that's the most disheartening," Demetriou said in Sydney. "Melbourne are a club that was established in 1858, they are the oldest club in the land that we know of and everyone wants to see them succeed. Melbourne's confidence ebbed away during its round one capitulation to Port Adelaide. Credit:Getty Images "Hopefully there's people at the club that understand what needs to be done to turn it around, and any support that we can offer we will." Demetriou said the AFL had provided financial and resources support to other clubs.

Asked what help the AFL could give Melbourne he said "we'll have to wait and see if they want help. "We're only a phone call away. As yet we haven't been asked for any help." Demetriou said with expansion clubs Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney performing ahead of expectations, it was the most competitive season yet. "So if you look at Melbourne, it's going to be hard," he said. "They are struggling at the moment. Hopefully they will turn it around because they need to.

"We're all desperate to see the Melbourne football club improve." Veteran GWS coach Kevin Sheedy backed his embattled Melbourne counterpart Mark Neeld. Asked what advice he would give Neeld, Sheedy said: "from a coaching point of view, just believe in yourself and believe in your players. "Camaraderie is so important with huge losses. "But he'll get it right. He's been around coaching for quite some time."

Meanwhile Demetriou stressed he wanted the Etihad Stadium roof to remain open for games. Rival coaches Chris Scott of Geelong and Brad Scott of North Melbourne called for the roof to be closed for all matches after rain fell steadily in Sunday's game between their clubs. "It's going to be open, it's open during the day if it's not raining," Demetriou said. Loading "It's not that bad, there's a little bit of rain. We had a bit of rain at the MCG and we didn't have a roof, so I wouldn't worry about it."

AAP