MELBOURNE footballer Dean Terlich says the shock retirement of teammate Mitch Clark last week was a harsh reality check for the players.
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Clark made the announcement he would walk away from his professional sporting career while he battled to overcome clinical depression.
Terlich, an Osborne junior, yesterday admitted to The Daily Advertiser the news had hit home hard for the Demons.
"Sometimes in this game you can get stuck in your little zone," Terlich said.
"I guess it shows people have a lot bigger problems to deal with than losing a game of footy...it puts everything into perspective.
"All the boys are getting around Mitch and I'm sure he will come out the other side of this stronger."
Melbourne responded to the news by winning its first game of the season on Saturday in a shock result.
The Demons rolled Carlton by 23 points in an MCG upset to register their first points on the board.
"I guess it shows people have a lot bigger problems to deal with than losing a game of footy...it puts everything into perspective.
- Dean Terlich
Having been tipped to receive the unwanted wooden spoon this year, Terlich said the club was relieved to get the monkey off its back.
"It's a bit of a different feeling," he said.
"We've been trying to get a few new things put together and we finally did that, we played four quarters and finally got the win.
"There's a buzz around the club but we're trying to keep a lid on it.
"It's only one win.
"One big thing we're trying top focus on this year is don't dwell on the past, so we are trying to put that game behind us and focus on Gold Coast this weekend."
On a personal level, Terlich is adapting to a new role this year under Roos.
He has previously played as a forward, and last year predominantly as a running, attacking defender.
This season he has assumed the role of a more traditional backman.
"This season I'm playing a bit more attentive rather than attacking," Terlich explained.
"We're trying to spread the load more through our back line.
"Finding the ball and running with it comes naturally to me so it's a bit different."
Terlich is averaging 16.7 disposals per game this year, and enjoyed his best day out against West Coast in round 2 with 28 touches.
He hopes to play a leading role during a Demons' win this weekend over the Suns on Easter Sunday.
