Melbourne defender Blake Howes reckons it's too early to be talking about Steven King's fun-loving entertainers as genuine AFL premiership threats.
But Howes is in no doubt his side is capable of building a case to join the serious contenders at the business end of the season.
The Demons (7-3) are growing in confidence after toppling fellow flag fancies Hawthorn last round, after defeating Brisbane and Gold Coast in an impressive start to the campaign.
And they are riding a wave of momentum into their clash with the injury-hit Western Bulldogs (5-4) at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
"I think it's a bit early for (talk of flag contention), but we'll just back ourselves in and let the outside noise do the talking," Howes told AAP.
