SCANS are expected to confirm Melbourne defender Jake Lever will require a second knee reconstruction after a seemingly innocuous incident during Saturday's 49-point win over the Western Bulldogs.

Lever injured his left knee when he pushed off Marcus Bontempelli and quickly changed direction as the two went for the ball during the first quarter of the game at Etihad Stadium.

He went straight down to the rooms and didn't return, with coach Simon Goodwin later revealing he had gone for immediate scans.

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The Demons will know more on Saturday night, but Goodwin said they were bracing themselves for the news he'll require a reconstruction. 

"It's suspected at the moment, so we need to get some scans and some more information but at this stage it's not looking great," Goodwin said.

"It's really disappointing for Jake and the club. He's someone we care about deeply.

"He has really fitted into our group really well."

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Lever had his first reconstruction in late 2013 and missed the 2014 season, which was his last at under 18 level.

He went on to be drafted by Adelaide in the first round that November, regardless of the fact he hadn't played a game that season.

Goodwin said the 22-year-old former Crow was more than equipped to deal with the idea of going through another lengthy rehabilitation.

"He's a very resilient young man," he said.

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"I think we need to get all the information first and go through that process, but lots of guys have come back from ACLs really strongly before so let's get all the information, all the scans, but it's disappointing news for Jake.

"He's invested a lot into this season. We'll wait and see what takes place."

Meanwhile, Jake Melksham and Tim Smith played the majority of the game under duress after suffering their own first-half injuries.

Melksham hurt his ankle in the opening term and needed two bouts of treatment before returning to be one of the Demons' best players.

Smith also needed assistance on his ankle and neck after copping a bump he wasn't expecting in the second quarter.

Goodwin said Melksham in particular would need the best part of the Demons' nine-day break before their Queen's Birthday clash with Collingwood to recover.

As a team, the Demons showed a newfound level of maturity to overcome a slow start and adapt to the way the Dogs had wrestled the contest onto their terms.

Goodwin said it was good for his team to be challenged in the way the Dogs did after a five-game string of comfortable wins.

"The Bulldogs' pressure around the contest, their tackling, their ability to win clearance was really strong so it was great to be in a game where it was a real fight and we had to grind our way," he said.

"It probably wasn't the natural way we win games of footy, to get beaten at clearance by 20, so we had to find a different way to win this week and to the boys' credit, we adapted really strongly.

"It's a terrific game for our group to be involved in and I think it shows they're very adaptable and shows they can play the game multiple ways to get the results.

"I think the more you can face those tests, and actually grind your way to a really strong victory, it's a sign that the group's maturing and finding a way to get things done."

Goodwin again emphasised the importance of sticking to the Demons' mantra this week of ignoring the "fugazi", or the "noise" outside the club about their soaring expectations.