MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says limiting the impact of Gary Ablett will be one measure the Demons will look to when they host Geelong at the MCG on Sunday.

Speaking from Junction Oval, Bailey said applying pressure on the champion midfielder's disposal efficiency would be a key focus.

"You look at the stats and he's a class player in a class team and Gary works incredibly hard as well," he said on Tuesday.

"Gary's going to get the footy. It's whether we can affect his possessions … because he creates the play.

"He's very difficult to tackle and we've got to make sure when he's got the ball in his hands … the decision that he makes with it is difficult."

Bailey added that Melbourne's attitude had to be at its best against the competition's benchmark side.

He also revealed that forward Russell Robertson could return this weekend, after playing the past three matches with VFL affiliate Casey.

Robertson has not played since round 10 last year because of an achilles injury.

"I'd be lying if I said we wouldn't be seriously considering Robbo to play," Bailey said.

"He's recovered really well over the last couple of weeks, which is important. He's bouncing around and he's really excited."

Bailey said he could make two more changes to the side, however, Austin Wonaeamirri wouldn't be among them.

Wonaeamirri, 20, will play at least one more match with Casey as he continues his return from a pre-season hamstring injury.

"He's got to play well to get picked," Bailey said. "We don't want to get into a situation where we just play him because he played well last year.

"He's missed a fair bit of footy and he's going to have to earn the right to play well at Casey and his form has got to be good.

"He's an important part of our forward line."

Bailey was also pleased with ruckman John Meesen, who has played the past three matches, although he said forward Michael Newton needed to capitalise on his opportunities.

"[Meesen's] competed really well and he had two really good games at Casey and he carried that on in the last couple of weeks," he said.

"With Michael, that's been the contentious point this week – [missing] two set shots for goal. The week before he kicked 2.4 and probably should have kicked at least three. He's getting the opportunities, but forwards are there to kick goals so that was disappointing.

"Our other forwards had set shots and missed as well, so you can't put all of the blame on him.

"But the only problem with Michael is that the distance out made it look worse. And at times, when we needed a goal, we just couldn't quite finish it."