Melbourne captain Nathan Jones expects Jesse Hogan will have no shortage of motivation to make his AFL return after a rocky fortnight.
Hogan was absent for the Demons' losses to Geelong and Fremantle, having been slapped with a two-game suspension for striking.
During that time, he returned to his home state of Western Australia to see his father, who has been suffering poor health.
He was also caught smoking at a Perth music festival - hardly a hanging offence but something the Dees admitted wasn't a good look when his discipline had already been questioned.
With Melbourne's record at 2-2, Hogan looms as a major possible inclusion for an important clash against Richmond at the MCG next Monday.
"I'm pretty sure he'd be excited to get out there," Jones said on Tuesday.
"Obviously to play again, from a personal point of view, but also I think he'd be pretty motivated to repay the support that he's been given by the club and his teammates.
"I think he was probably disappointed and embarrassed at the choices that he made. He probably feels like he's let us down.
"As far as we're concerned and I'm concerned, we've supported him through that and we're excited to get him back in the team."
The Dees struggled for composure and energy during their upset loss to Fremantle on Saturday, giving up seven unanswered goals in the third quarter after earlier leading by 27 points.
With star ruckman Max Gawn ruled out for up to three months with a hamstring injury and suspended midfielder Jordan Lewis still serving his ban, the Dees will hope Hogan can provide a spark against the unbeaten Tigers.
The 22-year-old still has to prove himself fit but Jones said he had no doubt Hogan should come back into the side.
"Jesse lost his opportunity, so there's a few things that he has to tick off this week but obviously he's in our best 22 side," he said.
"Whether he's chosen this week, I can't give you a direct answer - I'm not the one making that decision.
"If it was me, I'd be playing him.
"There's a few boxes that he'll have to tick this week with the coaching staff ... getting through training and putting himself up there to take someone's place that's already been playing and performing for us."
