MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos will consider sticking with ruckmen Max Gawn and Jake Spencer to tackle West Coast's big men this Saturday night after the pairing proved effective against Geelong two weeks ago.
Both Gawn and Spencer will travel to Darwin as part of the Demons' 24-man squad on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the clash at TIO Stadium.
Roos said the fact the Eagles were one of a few teams to play two genuine ruckmen presented an additional challenge when it came to selection.
"We played Spencer and Gawn last game and it worked well for us - they're the sort of issues we need to talk about ... does that work again?" Roos said on Wednesday.
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"It's definitely worth a discussion. [Callum] Sinclair has been playing well for them as well, so they've got two guys who can go through that area.
"It is worth the discussion and we'll have a lengthy one about it. Do we play them again?
"We hadn't up until the Geelong game and it worked for us. West Coast do it every week and it works really well for them.
"It's something most teams are reluctant to do, but they do it better than everyone."
Jesse Hogan (hamstring) and Col Garland (hand) will return from injury but Jack Grimes (thumb) will miss another week.
Hogan will travel direct from Perth, where he has spent the past few days during the Dees' bye.
The decision to travel with Spencer and Gawn leaves veteran big man Mark Jamar in the VFL for another week.
Jamar last played a senior game in round five.
Roos said he had spoken to the 31-year-old this week about his immediate future and assured him he was still required, with ruck depth becoming more important in the competition.
"He's been really positive, it's been great. He's been good for our young VFL team and he's playing well," he said.
"He's up and about, he feels confident in himself and his body.
"We still think he's got a role to play this year, if nothing else putting pressure on those two guys."
The Demons are set for their sixth game in Darwin since 2010, and third in the Northern Territory in two seasons.
In comparison, the Eagles are unrehearsed in the Northern Territory and will have to quickly adapt to the hot and slick conditions.
Still, Roos believes there won't be much advantage for his team, with clubs generally well versed at playing in all conditions.
"I think a lot of the home-field advantage now has dissipated," he said.
"We don't make much of it as coaches or a team that's playing there for a number of years.
"I suspect 'Simmo' [Adam Simpson] would get up there a bit earlier and look at the ground, we train up there [too].
"But I don't think it's that big an issue, really. Players are pretty adaptable now, and well coached and well drilled."
