Jack Watts' poor form has triggered a massive AFL selection call, with Melbourne dropping him for the crunch match against St Kilda.
The key forward has managed only one goal in three games since returning from a month out with a hamstring injury.
Watt also struggled during the pre-season, but had played every senior game from round one until his injury.
He did not train with the AFL team on Friday morning and coach Simon Goodwin later confirmed his omission.
"When he's doing the things required, he's in every team in the AFL - but it's just a matter of getting him back into form," Goodwin said.
Goodwin added it was clear why Watts was out of the team.
"That conversation (with Watts) was really easy - it's based around performance and what we're trying to build as a footy club," Goodwin said.
"Jack understands that, he knows he hasn't been playing his best footy."
Watts' demotion comes at a crucial stage of the season for the Demons, who are just outside the top eight with three rounds and struggling for form.
The Demons have lost three of their past four games and are 10th, one place above the Saints, with only percentage separating the two emerging teams from eighth-placed Essendon.
They also have dropped Sam Frost and Christian Salem, but Angus Brayshaw will return for his first senior game since round two.
Brayshaw is back after struggling with concussion problems and had eight weeks out of football this season.
Goodwin was always confident Brayshaw would return, but said it had been tough for the player.
"We're incredibly pleased to get Angus back, he's a quality player in our side and what he's gone through has been incredibly difficult," he said.
"Because of the concussion, no-one really knows the effects and where it's headed.
"He gives the whole club, our supporters and players, a really big lift for what he brings to the team."
Forward Jeff Garlett is in Perth for personal reasons, but Goodwin said he would play against the Saints.
The coach added the Demons had to regain the hard-nosed attitude that had caused them some suspension grief at times this season, but also made them top-eight contenders.
"That's been how we've played our footy, our pressure has been high, our contested ball has been high and we've been a really ferocious team around the contest," he said.
"With that have come some undisicplined acts, we understand that, but we need to get that ferocity back in our footy club, that real want for the contest."
Share
