FORMER basketballer Corey Maynard will make his debut with Melbourne on Saturday against Greater Western Sydney.

The midfielder, who joined Melbourne this season as a Category B rookie after playing college basketball in America and representing Australia at junior level, has been in outstanding form in the VFL.

He was a travelling emergency for last week's game against North Melbourne.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said it was exciting for the Demons to name a player to debut for such a crucial game at this stage of the season

"He has really developed nicely during the year and played some strong VFL footy," Goodwin said.

Maynard, who is the brother of Collingwood defender Brayden, will be the fourth player to make his debut for Melbourne this season.

The Demons will also bring back co-captain Nathan Jones and Bernie Vince and are weighing up whether to include Sam Weideman or Cam Pedersen to replace Jesse Hogan who fractured a collarbone last Saturday against the Kangaroos.

Maynard represented Australia in basketball alongside Adelaide's Hugh Greenwood as a junior and played NBL with the Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocs.

However, after playing basketball in America he decided to give football a crack, with his family steeped in AFL tradition

His grandfather Graham Campbell played 151 games for Fitzroy and coached the Lions in a coaching career that extended to the WAFL and SANFL.

Corey's dad, Peter, played eight games with Melbourne between 1978-1981 before carving out a fine career with Sturt in the SANFL, earning Hall of Fame honors at that club.   

Goodwin said Maynard could have an immediate impact.

"He's a really contested player around stoppages and through the midfield. He's got a mature body and he's doing some really exciting things at VFL level," Goodwin said.

Hogan returned to the club on Thursday to do leg weights after having surgery on his collarbone at the start of the week and Goodwin remains hopeful he can play football again this season.