Jake Lever recalls Melbourne players "running on the spot" as last year's AFL premiership defence ground to a halt but expects the Demons to be in far better physical shape to attack the finals this season.
Simon Goodwin's side finished second on the ladder in 2022 before exiting the flag race with successive home defeats to Sydney and Brisbane in the finals.
The subsequent season review led to a more cautious approach to injury management, with players now more likely to be given a week off when sore.
Premiership stars Michael Hibberd, Ben Brown and All-Australian defender Lever are among those who have been managed out of the side at stages through the opening six rounds of 2023.
Lever missed round five with a minor ankle issue but returned to play a key role in the last-start win over Richmond.
"It was pretty precautionary to keep me out. I wasn't happy, but that's alright," Lever told AAP.
"It was something that we addressed last year. We thought that we let ourselves down and we let our injuries get too much of us.
"By the back half of the year we were all running on the spot basically.
"It was a really good freshen up and I walked into (Monday night's game against Richmond) really confident."
Lever said injury management had "absolutely" been a key focus heading into 2023, noting the already-arduous season has been extended by a week to include Gather Round.
"There's some injuries that you can play through but also remembering that it's only round six," Lever said.
"It's a pretty long year and AFL footy is getting tougher and tougher."
Melbourne's gritty comeback win over Richmond gave them a 4-2 record as they build another premiership case, which they hope to enhance in Saturday night's clash with North Melbourne at the MCG.
"Those two losses have been really disappointing and a bit of an eye opener for us," Lever said.
"We've seen that if we don't put in the effort we can get really exposed.
"We're just trying to play consistent footy. The season's on a roll now but we've just got to continue to play the way we want to and hopefully that continues to tick over."
