Far from shaken by a winless start, Melbourne are hopeful the Gather Round clash with Essendon can be a much-needed turning point in their season.
History is already against the Demons in their finals bid.
Thirty-eight teams have started a season 0-4 since the turn of the century, but only two have recovered to make the top eight.
Melbourne midfielder Tom Sparrow, who reaches the 100-game milestone against the Bombers at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, hasn't lost faith.
"We've done quite a good job over the last month to stay consistent with our training and keep the positive energy high," Sparrow said.
"Goody (coach Simon Goodwin) has been great at showing us areas where we have been improving, even though results haven't been going our way.
"It's obviously not ideal and we don't want to be 0-4, no club does, but we're sure it's going to turn soon."
Goodwin, Melbourne's 2021 premiership mentor, has preached a new playing style that Sparrow said focused on delivering a more entertaining brand of football.
While it is yet to deliver a win this season, Sparrow insists the players have bought into the plan.
"The belief is there, 100 per cent," he said.
"Our weeks have been unbelievable, we've been training really great and we just haven't been getting results on the weekend.
"I don't know why that is exactly, maybe a few different things.
"We are trying to play a little bit differently and trying to be a bit more exciting.
"Right now it's not happening for us but we're making great inroads and we're doing a lot of education with the coaches and trying to work together to hopefully swing that."
It is a happy coincidence that South Adelaide product Sparrow, who was part of the Demons' drought-breaking flag win in his second AFL season, will play his milestone game in front of family and friends in Gather Round.
"I've experienced the highs and lows, but it's been a great journey," the 24-year-old said.
"I'm meeting a lot of great people and learning a lot from some pretty good midfielders like Trac (Christian Petracca), Vines (Jack Viney) and Clarrie (Clayton Oliver).
"It's been an incredible journey and I can't wait to see what's in store for the future."
Melbourne made just one change to the side that was beaten by Geelong last week, with first-round draft pick Xavier Lindsay back from a knee injury in place of Daniel Turner.
Archie Perkins and Will Setterfield are back for Essendon (1-2), who lost Jye Caldwell (hamstring) and Tom Edwards (knee) to injuries.
The Bombers took another hit when star midfielder Darcy Parish suffered a setback in training with a calf muscle strain.
Parish has not played a game this season and his return date is yet to be determined.
