THE RETURN of Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn does not spell the end for undersized fill-in Cam Pedersen, with coach Simon Goodwin set to reward the utility with a new role in the 22 this week.
Gawn is a certain starter against West Coast on Saturday night after 10 weeks on the sidelines with a serious hamstring injury, boosting the Demons as they search for their first win against the Eagles since 2009.
The versatile Pedersen has played every game since round six, with the 193cm utility improving his output in the ruck, and Goodwin was keen to find a role for him alongside Gawn.
"'Pedo' will play. He's been in exceptional form and we want to be a club that rewards players in good form," Goodwin said on Thursday.
"He's playing really well at the moment for us, so we'll continue to reward that.
"I won't go into too much detail (on his role), because we've still got a bit to work through this afternoon.
"But based on the way he's playing he'll suit up for Melbourne this week."
Tall forward Jack Watts will need to train fully on Thursday morning to be cleared of a hamstring problem and fly with the team later on Thursday, while Michael Hibberd was declared 100 per cent fit after pulling up sore from Sunday's win over the Western Bulldogs.
Former co-captain Jack Trengove was not in the selection mix to replace key midfielder Nathan Jones (calf) as he continues to improve his game playing as a half-back in the VFL.
"He's still got a little bit of stuff we want to see from him," Goodwin said of Trengove, who hasn't featured at AFL level since round 13 last season.
"He won't be a selection option for us this week, but he's starting to really push his claims over the next few weeks."
The Demons are yet to decide on a midfield replacement for Jones, but Goodwin was confident those already in the team had new strengths during Gawn's absence they could now utilise.
"They've developed a new skill-set, their craft around the ball and their body work around stoppages has been exceptional, and their ability to read opposition hands has been something that has improved over the last eight weeks," the coach said.
"To have Max back now gives us a bit more proactivity in the way we set up and the way we go about our midfield play.
"But the skillset we've developed now will hopefully help us short-term and long-term."
The Demons' last win against West Coast came in round 14, 2009, losing the past nine clashes between the teams by an average margin of 61 points.
They have not beaten the Eagles at Domain Stadium in nine attempts, with their last road win against the WA team coming in round 19, 2002.
"We want to keep developing and becoming a better team, and when you become a better team you seem to be able to win in most environments that you go into," Goodwin said.
"That's our real challenge as a group, to continue the appetite we've got now for the game and really enjoy the way they're going about their footy.
"If we can do that, we'll really enjoy playing at Subiaco."
