Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has stated upcoming selection calls will be made for "whatever is best for the team" as the premiership coach nears an answer to his forward plans ahead of September.
The Demons have mixed and matched their attacking third across the course of the season, with Sunday presenting arguably the most efficient and balanced group Goodwin has deployed in his forward line for the year, with makeshift target Harrison Petty booting six goals in a 32-point win over Richmond.
Petty had managed just 11 goals from his 60 prior appearances, most of which came in defence under Goodwin. With talls Brodie Grundy, Ben Brown, Josh Schache and Matt Jefferson all left to play in the VFL, Petty was partnered with Jacob van Rooyen's as Melbourne's twin tower offence.
The pairing was fruitful for the Demons and Goodwin, with the Redlegs now all but securing a top-four finish, now sitting just one win away from second spot.
Goodwin said he isn't "frightened of finding ways to get better", but was pleased with the forward combination that took to the field against the Tigers.
"It was one of the pleasing elements of our game, there's no question about that in the way we went about it," Goodwin told reporters post-game.
"We're not frightened of finding ways to get better, we've said that all along this year. We'll continue to do that as we progress forward.
"Today was fantastic. Harrison, Jacob, Jake Melksham, they all looked dynamic ahead of the ball off the back of some pretty good supply. The way that functioned was very pleasing.
"(Petty)'s last game before he got injured he was really influential in the air ahead of the ball. I think he went off just before half-time and was probably our most dominant player on the ground at that point.
"We knew we had a good forward in (Petty), and today he's shown a capacity to play in that area of the ground which is really pleasing for us."
While Petty's career-best outing will only add to the likelihood that Grundy remains on the outskirts of Goodwin's selection plans for the coming weeks, it was the performance of captain and first-string ruckman Max Gawn that might've been been a bigger blow to the former Magpie's playing prospects.
The All-Australian ruck duo was disassembled in recent weeks as the Demons look to turn Grundy into a more efficient role player in the forward half through minutes at the state league level - a move that has seen Gawn return to some of the best form in his career.
The Demons skipper was best afield in his side's win over Richmond thanks to a dominant second half, with Goodwin rapt with how his leaders stepped up to the occasion after a poorer opening two terms.
"I thought at half-time we weren't playing our best footy at all and Max in his own admission wasn't playing his best footy in the first half," the Demons coach said.
"But his response in the second half, himself, Jack Viney, as leaders of our footy clubs basically said 'come with us lads, we'll show you the path forward'.
"(Gawn) has been instrumental in the last three to four weeks within our team and he's carrying a huge load for us.
"Over his whole career he's had the ability to (hold the No.1 ruck position) to a really high level. We'll continue to operate in that way while he's doing what he does."
Goodwin would admit that the club may need to monitor Gawn's workload over the coming weeks ahead of finals, keeping the door ajar on a potential return for Grundy during the final month of the home and away season.
"He's not young, he's a bit old Maxxy so we'll continue to look after him as well," Goodwin said.
"It's been a different year for Max, last year he carried the full load for the whole year. This year he's had the support of Brodie and at times we love that combination. We'll continue to assess that as we go forward.
"We're not a closed book to anything. At the moment, Max is playing well and the team is functioning well. We'll do whatever is best for the team."
Grundy managed 10 disposals, 31 hitouts and no goals in Casey's loss to Williamstown on Sunday, with tough conditions playing a part in preventing the star recruit from impacting the game in the forward half.
Grundy would move into the leading ruck role for most of the second half with the game on the line, however couldn't impose himself as a forward threat.
Goodwin admitted he hadn't given a potential ruck change much thought ahead of this week's trip to Tasmania to face North Melbourne, but did note Grundy was building a case for a recall.
"I haven't thought about it," Goodwin said of potentially calling on Grundy for Round 21.
"Brodie has embraced the opportunity to make this combination great. It's been good but we want to make it great. He'll continue to do that.
"He had a really tough day down at Casey, I think there were 40km/h winds down there so it wasn't the best day for a forward.
"But his attitude towards it, the impact he had at training during the week - you can see his improvement all the time."
The Demons face the Kangaroos at Blundstone Arena on Sunday, while Casey are scheduled for a bye in the VFL this week.
