MELBOURNE ruckman Mark Jamar is a strong chance to play his first match for the season when the bottom-of-the-ladder Demons take on the top-of-the-table St Kilda at Gold Coast Stadium on Saturday night.

Jamar, who missed the first seven rounds and was on the long-term injury list due to a foot stress fracture, has played the past two matches for the Casey Scorpions. Against North Ballarat last Saturday Jamar was Casey's best player. 

Melbourne coach Dean Bailey said with St Kilda possessing veterans Michael Gardiner and Steven King in the ruck, the Demons would look strongly at promoting Jamar.  

"We'll have to look at our rucks on the weekend, because Gardiner and King are two very strong, experienced ruckman," he said.

On selection, Bailey said it is now becoming a difficult process for the match committee, as individuals are making progress. Last week, the Demons dropped Kyle Cheney, Clint Bartram, Lynden Dunn and Shane Valenti, but Bailey said it wasn't all due to poor form.

Bailey said the quartet were doing things they might have been able to get away with last year, but expectations had lifted this year.

"This year we're trying to raise that standard and there is pressure there for spots," Bailey said.

He said this is why midfielder/forward Colin Sylvia, who played his best match for Melbourne against Hawthorn last round, needs to keep up his consistency.

"Colin played well, but we're about trying to be consistent … we'd like an even contribution across the board," Bailey said.

"If he produces a 37-possession game and kicks four goals every week, I'm going to be very happy with how Colin's going.

"They're the spikes you get from working hard … hopefully the standard he's set, others will reach and he can maintain that, so that everyone else has to get up to his level."

Bailey said the Demons are eager to take up the challenge against the undefeated Saints.

"They're in good form. We've got a neutral ground to play on up at the Gold Coast, so we're looking forward to the trip up there," he said.

"They're playing really well, they're moving the ball incredibly quickly and they're not getting scored against."

Meanwhile, Bailey spoke about Russell Robertson's lying-on-the-ground attempt for goal against the Hawks. Robertson took a screamer and after falling to the ground, went to snap the goal as he was on the ground, which was intercepted by Hawk Garry Moss. 

"When he came off the ground, I said: 'Take me through that one'. He was very disappointed and was pretty scathing of himself," he said.

"He's an experienced player, but the decision at that stage was wrong – he should've gone back and kicked a goal.

"If anyone takes a mark in the goalsquare, I hope we don't play on. I hope we take our time and just kick the goal – that'd be great," he added with a smile.