Still smarting from the semi-final loss that ended their AFL premiership defence, Melbourne have targeted the round-two clash with the Brisbane Lions as a key test.
The Lions picked apart Melbourne last September for a memorable finals win, punting the Demons out in straight sets.
Melbourne could welcome back premiership quartet Bayley Fritsch (foot), Christian Salem (thyroid), Jack Viney (knee) and Steven May (calf) for Friday's meeting, as they come off a big round-one win over the Western Bulldogs.
By contrast, the Lions were mauled by Port last Saturday, but Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin in under no illusions about what his side will face at the Gabba.
"They'll be disappointed with how they played. We know too well how good a side they are," Goodwin said.
"They beat us in a final pretty comprehensively on our (MCG) home ground and they have a lot of top-end talent, they've added good players.
"They did some things to us in that final we'll be ready for - we've worked really hard over the summer to improve our own game.
"It's going to be a cracking game. There's a bit of a rivalry building between the two clubs in terms of how we go about our footy.
"Both clubs know each other's games really well, so we get a chance to have a look at some of the things we've implemented post that finals series to make us a better footy team."
The Demons boasted a four-game winning streak against Brisbane before the semi-final loss.
Goodwin is unsure whether Salem will come into the senior side, but he is confident of regaining most of their four sidelined players.
"It's great for us, it's going to give us a pretty strong selection headache," he said.
But they will be without utility Kysaiah Pickett, suspended for two games for rough conduct.
"There's no one who can replace Kosi Pickett," Goodwin said.
"It's going to be a thing we pick up as a team, the pressure that he puts on, there's no player who can do that really (in) the competition."
While Goodwin enthused about Brisbane and returning players on Tuesday, he quickly shut down press conference queries about Glen Bartlett.
The former chairman has had a bitter fallout with the Demons and has alleged he was forced out early in the 2021 season after raising concerns about Goodwin's behaviour away from the club.
"I spoke about this two years ago. I said it was irrelevant to me back then and it's still irrelevant to me now," Goodwin said.
"I have more important things to worry about in terms of Brisbane stoppages, Lachie Neale, their potent forward line, than talking about Glen Bartlett.
"I'm not going to give it any oxygen at all, or any thought time, any energy."
