Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin insists Brodie Grundy can force his way back into the Demons' team, even after Max Gawn's star ruck turn in his absence.
Gawn was a commanding presence in Melbourne's extraordinary one-point win - 16.9 (105) to 16.8 (104) - over Brisbane at the MCG on Friday night.
The Demons captain had an equal game-high 29 disposals and 10 clearances in one of the best performances of the six-time All-Australian's already decorated career.
Grundy, a dual All-Australian who moved from Collingwood to Melbourne in the off-season, was axed for the clash with the Lions as the Demons tried to boost their flagging attacking output.
It worked as Melbourne booted their best score in almost three months.
Goodwin praised Gawn's impact but declared the high-profile ruck duo could still work long-term once Grundy added more forward craft to his game.
"We love their ruck combination," Goodwin said.
"But one thing we're not going to do as a footy club is leave any stone unturned in getting better - and we want more impact forward of the ball."
Grundy will feature in a practice match for Melbourne's VFL team on Saturday with Casey having the bye.
"He'll play purely as a forward and we'll continue to assess it like that," Goodwin said.
"We think we can turn that combination into a threat moving forward, and we're going to work to do it and it doesn't have to be at AFL level.
"We're still really confident that'll work, and as we get closer towards the back end of the year, we're going to need both of them up and going."
Goodwin said Grundy reaction to be dropped was "brilliant".
"Outstanding person, outstanding character," he said.
"He understands he's in good form in the ruck, but he also knows that we've got a responsibility as a club to get better.
"Part of getting better is that forward craft and he needs to do it.
"He's embracing it, he wants to do it and he wants to be part of it."
Even without star midfielder Clayton Oliver, Melbourne's on-ball brigade still managed to sway the game their way with Christian Petracca kicking four goals in an expanded role up forward.
