Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has confirmed star ruckman, Max Gawn, will return to the side for next week's clash with West Coast.
Gawn has missed the past eight games after having surgery to repair a tear in his right hamstring he suffered against Geelong in round three.
"Max Gawn will play next week," Goodwin said on radio station 3AW on Sunday afternoon.
"He was very close to playing today.
"It was probably a 50-50 decision but we decided to give him another week at training and he'll be back in next week, so we're looking forward to getting the big fella back."
The Demons travel to Perth to face the Eagles at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.
