COACH Simon Goodwin says the absence of several key talls means the team will have a revamped look this Sunday, when Melbourne takes on Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Speaking at AAMI Park on Friday, Goodwin confirmed Cam Pedersen would play his first game of the season and spend time in the ruck.

After losing Max Gawn (hamstring) earlier in the season, and talls Jake Spencer (shoulder) and Tim Smith (lung) from last round’s team, key forward Jesse Hogan will also be absent for at least round six, due to the sad passing of his father, Tony, due to a long fight with illness.

Although Goodwin said the unavailability of several players was part of the game, he was optimistic about what a rejigged side could bring.

“We’re actually really excited about that – we can’t go into what that will be, but we’re excited about our talls and we’re excited about our team and trying some new things,” he said.

“We’ve got some injuries and had some suspensions and we’ve had some challenges over the last month, and we’re going to put out 22 guys who are going to be really competitive on the weekend, and play the way that we want to play.

“Every club and every team goes through this little phase at some stage and we’ve going through it now, but that is no excuse. We will be out there on the weekend to play a really good competitive brand of footy.”

Goodwin said he was rapt to have boom recruit Jordan Lewis back in the team, after a three-match suspension.

“He adds a lot of composure to our group and some leadership, and something that we’ve been lacking in the last few weeks,” he said.

“To have him back in the team is exciting for us and it’s good to get one back.”

Goodwin said it had been a difficult time for Hogan, and the club would continue to support him

“The club has been there to support him the whole way through this period and we’ll continue to do so,” he said.

“Jesse will have some time away and be with his family, and support them as much as he can.

“He’ll come back to training and playing when Jesse feels like he’s ready.”

Goodwin said Hogan had been placed under some external heat in recent times.

“It’s probably been unfair in a lot of ways, with what he’s been going through and what he’s dealing with,” he said.

“But hopefully now we get some perspective and give Jesse some time to really get his mind sorted and back focusing on footy when he’s ready to focus on footy.

“We’ll support him as much as we can in the short-term.”

Meanwhile, Goodwin said former co-captain Jack Trengove was getting closer to a return to the AFL.

“I’m really hopeful that Jack can play that way that we want him to play to get him into the team,” he said.

“There won’t be a happier person than me and the rest of the coaching group and the rest of his teammates when Jack gets to that point.

“He’s not that far away.”