MELBOURNE will use this week's trip to Darwin to reach out to forward Austin Wonaeamirri who returned home to the Top End recently because of homesickness.
The Tiwi Islander was granted a leave of absence in May after struggling to cope with the recent death of his father Matthew and mentor Maurice Rioli.
The Demons fly to Darwin this weekend to take on Port Adelaide and coach Dean Bailey said he would use the opportunity to speak to the talented forward.
"We'll catch up with Aussie and have a chat to him about how everything is going. We've been in constant contact with him and we get a chance to see him face-to-face this week. Hopefully we can get some clarity out of Aussie about it," Bailey said on Monday.
"As the game has got closer I think he's finding the opportunity to come back and play AFL footy stronger and stronger. We need to get in front of him. He seems to be in a pretty good place so hopefully it's a good opportunity for us to convince him there is a really good opportunity for him back at Melbourne."
Bailey said he had sympathy for Wonaeamirri who had to deal with the loss of two close influences while also carrying the hopes of an entire community at the other end of the country.
"There was great pressure on Aussie from Tiwi to perform at the AFL level because he lost his father and also the situation with Maurice as well," Bailey said.
"He is under some pressure and I think he is now starting to come to grips with that which is part of the reason for going back and reconnecting. He's starting to feel comfortable."
Another Northern Territorian Aaron Davey is a chance to return for his first game since the round nine loss to St Kilda.
Davey has missed the past seven weeks with a knee injury but Bailey said he was particularly enthusiastic to return to play in his home town.
"He is very keen. All of a sudden his training has been ramped up and he trained pretty well this morning," Bailey said of Davey.
"He hasn't come off a lot of game base if you like, the last couple of weeks. He is getting fitter and fitter. He'd probably be in calculations but is probably still 50-50."
Bailey said he was conscious of the need to adapt to the tropical Darwin weather.
The Demons pipped the Power by a point in the corresponding game last year and will be looking to replicate that success.
"It is different conditions up there. They think it is going to be very slippery so we've got to make sure we are well prepared, whether we're wearing gloves or wristbands to try to prevent the sweat from running on the hands," he said.
"That will be a different environment for us but both teams are going to face the same situation, we've just got to make sure we're in front when the siren goes."
Luke Holmesby covers Melbourne news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_LHolmesby
