MELBOURNE skipper Max Gawn won't be risked against Richmond on Monday night unless fully fit, as his Demons look to respond to one of their more humbling losses in recent times.
Essendon piled on 104 points against Melbourne in Gather Round, just the second time since the start of 2020 that the defensively minded Demons have conceded a three-figure score.
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Coach Simon Goodwin admits it has been a major focus in training as they expect to be seriously tested again by a Richmond side intent on bringing its typical scintillating transition play and elite defensive forward pressure.
"It's an element of our game that's always a focus, it's the type of team we want to be and is probably the reason why we've only had 100 points against us a couple of times in the last three years," Goodwin said.
"It certainly stands out when it's not at the level so we educate our boys, we go to work, we train and we get back to the overall execution that's required.
"When we play our best football we play with intensity in that phase of the game and around our contest.
"Richmond pose some challenges in that space ... it will come down to our action on the weekend, it's not really what we talk about now, it's how we come out and do it and execute it."
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Goodwin said star defender Jake Lever and Michael Hibberd would play against the Tigers and was confident ruckman Gawn would prove his fitness in their major training session on Friday.
Gawn, who sprained a medial ligament in round two against Brisbane, has been named in the Demons' 26-player squad and is a chance of lining up with Brodie Grundy.
"He's done a power of work, we're pretty confident he's going to be right to go but we need to see him really finish off his work, train fully and be really clear with us that he's raring to go," Goodwin said.
"Clearly it's a little bit earlier than first thought, but he internally has progressed fairly well.
"He's a pro Gawny when it comes to his rehab and his recovery and he wants to play as much footy as he can, but we certainly wouldn't take a risk with him."
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Melbourne has won its last two Anzac Day Eve clashes with Richmond and Goodwin acknowledged the importance of delivering in one of its biggest home and away matches.
"We talk internally about how we can honour them ... we get a chance to do something we love and enjoy, and that'll come from our actions on-field," he said.
"Clearly last week we weren't happy with the way we played and we need to make sure we turn that around."
