Stephen Hill is looking forward to his first trip to Darwin, but he knows it will be no holiday against an improving Melbourne side.

After finishing second-last in 2013, the Demons have improved in all facets of the game under premiership-winning coach Paul Roos.

With the former Sydney senior coach at the helm, Melbourne has gone from the second-worst defensive side in the league last year, to one of the hardest to score against in 2014.

In fact, the Demons have only allowed 100 or more points in a match twice this season. 

Hill said Freo were very aware of the significant challenge the team will face on Saturday.

“They definitely have improved this year, especially defensively,” he said.

“We know it’s going to be a tough battle, we’re going to have to be really on and give 100 per cent effort.”

As for Darwin, the Freo speedster was looking forward to playing in the Top End.

“It’s going to be different, I’ve never been there,” Hill said.

“But we’ll just prepare the way we would with any other game - really prepare well and look forward to the challenge.”

Hill has arguably been in career-best form in recent weeks, and while he’s been accumulating disposals and kicking goals, it’s the work he has done without the ball that has pleased him most.

The 23-year-old has applied 15 tackles in his past two games.

“It probably hasn’t been strong in my game,” Hill said of tackling.

“It’s something that I’ve been working on and I want to keep improving.”