Ben Brown during a practice match for Casey in April, 2021. Picture: melbournefc.com.au

PRIZED recruit Ben Brown will debut for unbeaten Melbourne against his former club North Melbourne, but fellow key forward Sam Weideman may have to further bide his time in the reserves.

After having knee surgery in February, Brown has worked his way into form during three VFL games and will slot into the Demons side for Sunday's clash at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said the 28-year-old deserved his chance and would boost Melbourne even further after the club's best start to a season in 56 years.

"We're going to play Ben Brown, that is something we will do," Goodwin said.

"We think we can improve our team and he deserves a spot so we're going to pick him.

"He's had three weeks of really strong footy. He's ready to play after a really big training block and we think he can make our team better."

02:13

Frenemies with Ben Brown: 'He's not known for his chat'

Ben Brown's ex-teammates at North Melbourne dish the dirt as they prepare to face off against the boom Melbourne recruit for the first time

Brown missed most of the 2020 season through injury before arriving at Melbourne from North via a trade last year.

The fortunes of the two clubs could not be more stark, with the Demons shooting into premiership contention while the Kangaroos are winless as they embark on the biggest rebuild in club history.

"It's ironic that it's worked out like that (his first game against North), it certainly wasn't planned that way or not why we selected him" Goodwin said.

"We selected him because we think he's ready. We're not afraid to make these moves, even though we're performing strongly."

Brown booted 287 goals in 130 games for the Kangaroos since his AFL debut in 2014.

01:27

VFL Showreel, R2: Brown's four-goal selection claim

Melbourne recruit Ben Brown puts his name forward to try and break into the undefeated senior side

Weideman, who enjoyed a breakout season with 19 goals last year, had an interrupted pre-season after suffering a stress fracture in his right leg.

The 23-year-old has returned in promising fashion via the VFL but the Demons' firing forward line has given the selection panel some headaches.

"(Weideman's) very close as well," Goodwin said.

"It's really tough at the moment. We are really taking a 'horses for courses' (approach).

"The guys that are in form, playing their best footy will get selected.

"That's really how we look at (it) as a match committee.

"Tom McDonald, Luke Jackson, all our talls are playing really strong footy and that gives us flexibility.

"Unfortunately for some guys they have to wait their time and perform really strongly in the VFL."

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