MELBOURNE will resist the urge of rushing back recognised ruckman Jake Spencer for its Queen's Birthday showdown with Collingwood.
However, important forward Jack Watts is expected to be fit for the clash against the Pies despite rolling his ankle at training on Tuesday.
Goodwin said Spencer's lack of preparation – the big man has not played since hurting the AC joint in his shoulder against Richmond in round five – was a significant factor in the Demons' decision to bring him back through the VFL.
"Jake won't play (on Monday). He's had seven weeks out of the game," Goodwin said.
Watts participated in a light skills session but did very little out on the track on Thursday morning.
The forward received treatment on his ankle on Tuesday before completing that day's session.
"He'll do a full session on Saturday, but we're confident he'll play (against the Magpies)," Goodwin said.
Christian Salem will be available to play after serving his one-week suspension.
With Spencer to play for Casey, the ruck onus will again fall to Cam Pedersen, Tom McDonald and Jack Watts as they battle it out against in-form Collingwood big man Brodie Grundy.
"We'll share that load through the midfield and those three have been doing a terrific job for us so far," Goodwin said.
"Brodie's a terrific ruckman and he excels around the contest and moves forward pretty quickly so we'll need to have someone mobile on him and Cam's going to get first crack at it."
Goodwin said he had had no issues with the banter exchanged between the two teams during the week following Taylor Adams' comments about former Demon Lynden Dunn finally being at a "successful club".
Demon Bernie Vince hit back at the Collingwood midfielder, pointing out that the Magpies had yet to excel during Dunn's time at the club.
"It’s a bit of fun. I think it’s great for the game and great for the theatre," the coach said.
"A lot of what Taylor Adams has said is right - we haven’t been a successful club for a long period of time, and that’s what we’re striving to achieve. You’ve got to earn the right to be a successful club over a long period of time and that’s what we're trying to build."
Ruckman Max Gawn is progressing well in his rehab from a serious hamstring injury suffered in round three against Geelong and is getting closer to playing.
Goodwin said the decision on whether to play the All Australian ruckman in the VFL or throw him straight back into the Demons' senior lineup would be made closer to the date.
"We'll assess Max when the time's right," Goodwin said.
"He's working really hard in rehab doing a lot of work.
"It's a different injury and obviously Max is coming back after a long time out."
