Melbourne's breakthrough win for season 2009 has been marred by a serious facial injury to star on-baller Brad Green.

Green will miss up to two months after having his jaw broken in the opening term of Sunday's eight point win over Richmond at the MCG, following an accidental head clash with Tigers' youngster Alex Rance.

But Melbourne coach Dean Bailey was delighted with the way his young side - already missing skipper James McDonald and fellow experienced campaigners Matthew Whelan, Russell Robertson and Paul Wheatley through injury - was able to overcome the loss of a man who has been the Demons' best player so far this season.

"They all dug deep and there is no question they all had to give a bit extra because we lost a very good player who has arguably been our best player for three weeks," Bailey said of his team.

"We lost Brad early in the game but the players rallied around and they all dug an extra two or three percent, which they have all got in them and it came out today."

Bailey said he was desperately sorry to see the hard-working Green miss out on the club's first win after he was taken straight to nearby Epworth Hospital, where he will undergo surgery on Sunday night.

"He is a fantastic bloke, he trains hard, he is incredibly professional with his attitude and he is a terrific player for us," Bailey said of Green.

"He will probably be out for six to eight weeks and it's really disappointing because he is a very important player for us but that is the reality of playing a contact sport."

The Demons' shock win, which only increases the pressure on embattled Richmond coach Terry Wallace, was only the club's fourth in 26 matches under Bailey.

Not surprisingly Bailey was playing it low-key after the win, saying he hoped it would serve as an important confidence-builder for his inexperienced team.

"The ideal situation is they have got some rewards for the hard work they have put in and that is important for the players," he said.

"But we have only won one game - we are still developing players and still building the list."

"And while this (win) adds a bit of confidence, we are not getting carried away with ourselves.'

"We know where we are at and now we get on with next week."