Simon Goodwin insists Melbourne aren't trying to turn Brodie Grundy into a permanent forward and has slammed "hysteria" about the ruckman's future with the Demons.
Grundy was dropped for last Friday night's clash with the Brisbane Lions as Melbourne preferred to use captain Max Gawn as their sole ruckman in an attempt to boost their flagging attacking output.
In Grundy's absence, the six-time All-Australian had one of the best games of his career to lift the Demons to a thrilling one-point come-from-behind win at the MCG.
Goodwin confirmed on Thursday that Grundy would spend another week at VFL level but is adamant the high-profile ruck partnership could still work - and even thrive.
"We're trying to increase the combination forward of the ball. We're not trying to turn Brodie Grundy into a forward - let's be really clear on that," the Demons coach said.
"We're trying to turn this ruck combination into a dominant force that will help us in the ruck, but also help us ahead of the ball."
Once Grundy was axed, attention turned to whether the dual All-Australian needed to find a third club in as many years to be guaranteed a game in the AFL.
Melbourne great Garry Lyon this week said he believed it would be "unlikely" Grundy would remain at the Dees beyond this year.
"On the back of that hysteria; I've heard him playing as a permanent forward, I've heard we're trying to trade him. That's not the case.
"We love Brodie Grundy, we think this is going to be a dominant force and we're going to keep working to do it."
Grundy, who moved from Collingwood to Melbourne in the off-season, played in a VFL scratch match at Casey last Saturday instead of in the MCG blockbuster.
Melbourne booted their best score in almost three months, stunning the Lions with four goals in the first five minutes of the game and another four in the last seven to pull off a remarkable win.
They kicked 16.9 (105) - their best score in almost three months.
There is no timeline on Grundy's stint in the VFL, according to Goodwin.
"We see Brodie and Max playing 10 minutes a quarter forward of the ball," he said.
"But how we get that extra exposure is at VFL level, so he'll play as a permanent forward again this week (in the VFL).
"We know what he can do in the ruck. We're trying to increase his ability to impact forward of the ball."
Versatile defender Harrison Petty was subbed out for a second-straight game due to rib soreness and is no certainty to face Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.
"On the first sightings in the early part of the week, he's progressing in the right direction," Goodwin said.
Star midfielder Clayton Oliver will miss an eighth-straight game and has already been ruled out for next week's clash against Richmond with his persistent hamstring issues.
Goodwin delivered a blunt "yes" when asked if Oliver would return to play again this season.
