MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 07: Nathan Jones of the Demons celebrates the win with fans during the round 16 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 07, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Veteran Melbourne Demon Nathan Jones is set to miss the AFL grand final as he returns to Melbourne.

The 33-year-old midfielder, who captained the Demons between 2014 and 2019 and has played more than 300 games for the club since debuting back in 2006 is set to be present at the birth of his twins.

His wife Jerri is heavily pregnant, and while Jones missed selection for last night's thumping preliminary final victory over the Geelong Cats, he was in with a shot at being selected for the grand final.

According to a report in The Age, Jones will fly home tomorrow to be with his wife Jerri.

It's yet another story to be forced by COVID, although coach Simon Goodwin wouldn't confirm whether he would or wouldn't stay in Perth, saying the decision was up to Jones and his family.

Goodwin also confirmed he would be close to selection.

"That's a decision that's going to be left with Nathan. Obviously, he's really close to selection, it's a really tough situation. He's so proud of his footy club right now, he's given so much and he's in a really tough situation," Goodwin said.

"Jerri's due with twins and could come at any stage, so we'll continue to liaise with Nathan and Jerri as to what that looks like, but he's close to selection, he's pushing his case and he wants to be a part of it."

Jones, who was taken with the 12th pick in the 2005 national draft has been a cornerstone of the Demons for well over a decade, winning the club best and fairest three times in a row between 2012 and 2014.

While he has only played a handful of games this season, Jones has never made a grand final, with the Demons' last trip to the biggest game of the season coming back in 2000.

Melbourne haven't won a premiership for almost 60 years, and their grand final showdown with either the Port Adelaide Power or Western Bulldogs will be the biggest game for the club in decades.

The grand final is set to be played in Perth on Saturday, September 25.