Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan is available for the his side's ANZAC Day Eve clash with Richmond at the MCG after serving his two-match suspension, but Demons co-captain Nathan Jones won't hand him his spot in the team, he wantsย Hogan to earn his selection.
The Demons have suffered losses to Geelong and Fremantle in Hogan's absence, and the club will still be without veteran Jordan Lewis who'll be serving the final week of his three-match ban after also being suspended during their win against Carlton in round two.
While Jones said he would select Hogan if it were up to him, heย admitted it wasn't as simple as that, and the key forward would have to impress at training throughout the week.
"There's probably no doubt in my mind, but I feel like we're sitting at two and two at the moment [and] there's guys that are playing their role," Jones said.
"Jesse lost his opportunity, so there's a few things that he has to tick off this week, but obviously he's in our best 22 side.
"Whether or not he's chosen this week, I can't give you a direct answer, I'm not the one making that decision, but I feel like he's been out of the team and he has to earn his right to get back in the team.
"If it was me I'd be playing him, but there's a few boxes he'd have to tick this week with the coaching staff and getting through training and putting himself up there to take someone's place who's already been playing and performing for us."
During his suspension Hogan didn't escape the headlines, after he was caught on camera at a music festival in Perth.
Hogan was filmed smoking at the festival in WA, where he had been given leave from the club for family reasons.
