MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin has challenged Cam Pedersen to back up his impressive performance in the ruck against Essendon when the Demons take on the Hawks at the MCG on Sunday.

With Max Gawn and Jake Spencer missing through injuries, the Demons have turned to Pedersen to carry the ruck load while they are on the sidelines.

The 30-year-old competed hard in ruck contests but excelled around the ground with 19 disposals, eight marks and a goal.

Goodwin said Pedersen was keen to show everyone he is not a one game wonder.

"I feel confident in the way Cam played. He was outstanding. The challenge for Cam throughout his career has been able to back it up week after week with the same level of intensity," Goodwin said.

"He's well aware of that and he certainly wants to show us and the footy club and everyone he plays with that that is the way he can consistently play his footy."

Pedersen has played 62 games with North Melbourne and Melbourne and was part of the Demons' drought-breaking win against Hawthorn in round 20 last season.

He will come up against Hawthorn premiership ruckman Ben McEvoy who is in better form than many of his teammates and was very good against West Coast two weeks ago at the MCG in the Hawks only win for the season.

Goodwin admitted he'd spoken to former Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis about his former team and teammates but said there was only so much information a former player can provide that helps.

He said Lewis would have mixed feelings about playing the Hawks but he was determined to perform well.

Goodwin said apart from Hogan he expected few changes to be made as the Demons attempt to settle their line-up.

Although sitting just inside the eight with three wins and three losses, the Demons have won the fourth most quarters for the season behind Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney and have used the second most players so far behind only the Sydney Swans.

"We're probably in a position now where we can really start to settle the team down a bit and give it some continuity about how we go about our play," Goodwin said.