MARK Jamar spent a frustrating six weeks on the sidelines after injuring his left knee against Adelaide, but the ruckman will make a welcome return to the team this weekend for a match he believes could set up a finals tilt for the winner.

The Demons lost four games and slid out of the top eight while Jamar was out, but a win against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday could vault them out of ninth place and past Fremantle and Essendon, who sit in seventh and eighth spot respectively heading into round 14. 

"It's ninth versus 10th [on Saturday], both teams want to get a spot in the eight, so this game's probably critical to break away from the other team," Jamar said from AAMI Park on Friday.

"It's a big game and whoever wins is going to give themselves the best opportunity for the second half of the season.

"[We're] up one week and down the next so tomorrow will be a good chance to try and end that. It would be great to have a win.

"It's a big game for both teams. Both supporter groups will be looking for a win."

The 27-year-old returns to the team without having played in the VFL, but he is confident he will be able to run out the game alternating between ruck and full-forward with Stef Martin, who has impressed in his absence.

"I probably could have played last week, but they held me back an extra week just to be safe," he said.

"I've had an extra week of conditioning under my belt so I think I've got the miles in my legs.

"It's been a long six weeks for me on the sidelines. I can't wait to get back out there and contribute."

Nineteen-year-old ruckman Max Gawn debuted and went on to play two more games while Jamar worked back to full fitness, but dropped out of the team to face the Tigers along with Clint Bartram.

Jamar is hopeful he, Martin and Gawn can form a three-pronged ruck attack in the future.

"As we get more experience [playing] together, we could probably look at doing something like that," he said.

"You've just got to be careful that you don't go in too tall.

"The good thing about us is Stef can play key forward or key position back, I can go forward and Gawny can go forward as well so we've got that versatility."