Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says after a "strong review" from a winless start that he's prepared to drop players to the VFL.
Goodwin was probed about premiership forward Bayley Fritsch's disappointing form to date, resulting in one goal and an average of 10 disposals in the three losses.
Fritsch isn't the only Demons player in "that basket", with the 2021 premiership coach open to throwing the magnets around.
Draftee Harvey Langford, after debuting as the sub in Round 1, was dropped for one week and returned to the senior side in spectacular form, claiming the week's Rising Star nomination.
Similarly, forward Daniel Turner, kicked five goals over the weekend in the reserves after a poor Round 2 outing at AFL level.
"He didn't take his opportunities and dropped a few marks he should have taken. There were some steps forward on the weekend," Goodwin said of Fritsch.
"As a collective, we have too many guys who aren't quite in the form that they need to be, and Bayley certainly puts his hand up to be one of those.
"He's continuing to work hard, and we certainly have faith of where he can take his game. But there's a few people in that basket.
"We have put some guys back to the VFL in recent times, like Daniel Turner and Harvey Langford, to get in some really strong form โ with some success.
"We might have to do that with a few others in time."
But Melbourne should be buoyed by the return of some regular faces when they take on Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
The ground hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Demons, who've lost 16 of 19 encounters at the venue this century, including the disgraceful 186-point loss in 2011, which cost then-coach Dean Bailey his job.
"Obviously, Kozzie will be coming back from his suspension," Goodwin said.
"It will be great to get him back into the team. Caleb Windsor (foot) will be back as well. And Jake Lever (ankle) is still a test today."
"We're hopeful with where Jake is at but will need to get through training."
Xavier Lindsay could be an outside chance of returning earlier than many thought.
Lindsay was subbed off with a knee injury during the Suns defeat, with scans showing a sprained medial ligament. But how the 19-year-old was moving at training disputes that.
"It's been a great performance by the medical team and Xavier," Goodwin added.
"He'd have to do a lot today to be right, but we're probably more going to be cautious with him, and at least give him a week or a couple."
Goodwin also wished banned ex-Demon Joel Smith the best with his endeavours in hopefully one day returning to AFL football.
Smith was expelled from the league for four years after he was found to have violated multiple anti-doping guidelines.
The defender is not able to train with any AFL club until November 2027 and can not be fielded in any anti-doping-compliant competitions until January 9, 2028.
"Clearly it wouldn't be here," Goodwin said.
"At 31, you've still got some footy ahead of you. It's great to see he's got that ambition and drive to want to do that.
"Hopefully, he'll be in a position to do that."
