MELBOURNE remains unsure when Jesse Hogan will return following the death of his father on Wednesday.
Hogan missed Sunday's 38-point win over Essendon to be with his family after this father, Tony, passed away following a battle with cancer.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was not sure on Sunday if Hogan would be available for next round's clash against Hawthorn, but told reporters he would talk with the forward on Monday.
"We'll speak with Jesse tomorrow. We've really given him some time away to let the dust settle and spend some time with his family, which is really important so I'll give Jesse a call tomorrow and get an update of how this week is shaping and what we're looking for," Goodwin said.
"But as we've said all along, it will really be up to Jesse. He's obviously going through a lot. His welfare is first and foremost for us, but we'll get more of a guide early in the week."
Asked whether Hogan would have to return to the club by a certain time to take on the Hawks next Sunday, Goodwin said Melbourne would play things by ear.
"We'll just wait and see, we've just got to let the dust settle. He's gone through a hell of a lot," Goodwin said.
"I don't think anyone here can imagine potentially what he's going through, so we'll just take our time and work through those steps slowly.
"There's no pressure from the footy club. He'll come back when Jesse's ready to come back."
The start of the 2017 season has been a trying one for both Hogan and Melbourne.
The spearhead was suspended for two weeks for striking Carlton defender Sam Rowe in round two and subsequently made headlines after he was photographed smoking at a Perth musical festival.
Melbourne also lost Jordan Lewis to a three-match suspension after round two, while reigning All Australian ruckman Max Gawn (hamstring) and his ruck back-up Jake Spencer (shoulder) have since been sidelined by long-term injuries.
After winning their opening two games against St Kilda and the Blues, the Demons dropped three straight matches – to Geelong, Fremantle and Richmond – having been in strong positions in each.
Despite having to field a makeshift ruck division and forward-line against Essendon, Melbourne overcame a turnover-ridden first half to set up their third win of the season with an eight-goal third term.
Goodwin said the win was "very important" for the club and spoke volumes of his players' character.
"It's been a tough three weeks. There's been a lot going on and that's what I said to the players after the game," Goodwin said.
"We had an opportunity to, in a lot of ways, reset the footy club, to get back to 3-3.
"We've given up some leads in the last few weeks and haven't got some results that potentially we may have got, but today to find a way under duress and the pressure of what we've been going through was just a sign of character for this footy club."
