Melbourne coach Dean Bailey says star player Aaron Davey's voluntary confession of misbehaviour could be a step towards him becoming a leader at the AFL club.

The classy half-forward has been suspended by the Demons leadership group from playing in this Sunday's match against the Western Bulldogs, after he was late home returning from a trip to Darwin.

Davey missed a morning flight home to Melbourne two days before the Demons' last match - against Brisbane on June 29.

The previous night he had been out drinking with friends in Darwin, after attending a funeral.

Bailey said the club became fully aware of the incident only after Davey owned up following the surprise one-point win over the Lions.

"It wasn't until after the game that he felt that it was almost eating him up inside, I think, he really felt like he let his teammates down and his club down," Bailey said.

"It was soon after that that he realised that he'd done the wrong thing and ... he came forward and said `This is what's happened, these are the events that happened, I feel embarrassed, I feel disappointed.'

"In one way it's good that he came to us ... it might be the beginning of Aaron becoming more of that leader that we all want him to be."

Davey's suspension continues a tough disciplinary stance by the club this year.

Forward Colin Sylvia was banned from their round one clash with Hawthorn, midfielder Brock McLean was demoted from the leadership group and defender Nathan Carroll was suspended from pre-season games, for various off-field indiscretions.

"We don't intend to take a backward step, there are behaviours and there are expectations placed on all players and if you cross the line, you get to deal with the leadership group and the rest of their peers," Bailey said.

"They've been very strong with their stance and that will still be the case for the rest of the year and years to come."

Davey's absence puts pressure on Melbourne at selection, with McLean out for the rest of the season after injuring an ankle against the Lions.

"The names are not there, but the intensity, the attitude, the competitiveness, that type of player still should be representing the Melbourne Football Club on Sunday regardless," Bailey said.

"The names mean something, but at the end of the day it's your input, your effect on the game, what you're prepared to do for the team is still the same.

"There's still going to be 22 Melbourne jumpers playing and those 22 are still going to represent us as well as they can."

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