Melbourne remain confident key forward Jacob van Rooyen will be available for next week's season opener against GWS following a back injury that cut his final pre-season appearance short.

The 21-year-old managed to just one per cent game time in Sunday's affair against Fremantle after reporting a back spasm early into the contest.

The ailment occurred as van Rooyen was leading in the front third, with the concern similar to what the young forward has dealt with in the past.

van Rooyen wasn't risked for the remainder of the game, with Melbourne able to call on draftee Aidan Johnson as his forward replacement for the remainder of the match.

Speaking after the 19-point loss to the Dockers, Melbourne assistant Troy Chaplin provided an update on the hampered forward.

"He's had it before but not to that extent," Chaplin said.

"He went to lead out and it just grabbed, so we tried to get him up and going in the first quarter, hence why 'AJ' came on.

"It just wasn't worth the risk. He's pretty sore but he'll be fine for Round 1. He'll have a few days off and get some time with the family (in WA) and he'll be ready to go for Round 1.

"He'll manage (the concern) and we'll look at his preparation, but it just sort of came out of nowhere for him."

Small forward Kysaiah Pickett was also kept to just a quarter of the game as the Demons managed the workloads of their attacking livewire and his teammates, with the 23-year-old still needing to serve a three-game ban from late last year.

Having to keep "Round 1 in mind", Pickett wasn't used for much of the game but was brought over to Western Australia to remain with the group and to also see family.

Sunday's Community Series game also saw star midfielder Christian Petracca play a full game after an interrupted 2024 campaign and pre-season, with Chaplin excited by the Norm Smith Medal winner's return.

"Getting through unscathed is always positive, and there were some positives in our gamer as well," Chaplin said.

"With 'Trac' getting back and playing a full game at a high level is fantastic for us as a group and it's fantastic for the competition, you want your best players in the competition playing well.

"To see him play the way he did... it's a real credit to him. He's had to jump through a few mental hoops."

Melbourne's 2025 campaign gets underway with a clash against GWS at the MCG on Sunday, March 16.