MELBOURNE is preparing for its third interstate game of the season, set to travel up to Sydney to face the in-form Swans.

Senior coach Steven King joined media on Tuesday morning to preview the game, discuss the challenges the team faces and selection opportunities for a number of Demons. 

PICKETT BRILLIANCE

“I think anyone would get excited by what Kozzy brings to the game and the highlights he gives the game,” King said.

“He wants to be the best in the competition, so as a coach, you want to give all your players the opportunity to be the best they can be. Ultimately, it comes down to that innate desire to believe you can be.

“He’s got all the tools to be the best, he's pretty competitive. He doesn't just want to be a highlight reel, he wants to be the best each week.

“With that, came a desire to play more midfield. He sat down with Nathan Jones and he said 'here's some things we need to see from you' and he's brought into that wholeheartedly.

“What you're seeing now is just recognition from the work he puts in.”

SYDNEY CHALLENGE

“We've got some inexperienced players still finding their way, so for me, the whole challenge is that we’ve rarely put together four quarters of pure Demon football,” King said.

“Although we’re sitting fourth at the moment, I feel like we're still chasing and trying to bridge the gap between the best in the competition and where we sit.

“This is just a great opportunity to get on the road and come up against another Premiership fancy, who I feel like at the moment, are the benchmark of the competition.

“That’s the challenge for us and we look forward to it.”

PETTY RETURN

“He's going well,” King said.

“We went through with a lot of external consultants and got numerous tests done.

“I think at this stage we've ruled out concussion, even though we've put him in the protocols just to look after his welfare.

“At this stage it looks like a type of migraine…but we're really bullish around him just getting through and if he gets through protocols throughout this week, he'll be in a really good place to potentially play.

“We just want to make sure he gets through and ticks off the boxes he needs to.”

BOWEY OPPORTUNITY

"He was great [in the VFL], 15 touches in a half and he was just so clean," King said.

"We've had a few injuries to our back half this year and he's someone that we can't wait to get back in. I think he'll play a full game of VFL footy this week, I don't want to just rush him in either.

"If he gets through and feels really confident, he's someone with the type of class that will come straight back in."

CULLEY INJURY

“I really feel for him, it's the second time he's gone through this process,” King said.

“He’s worked so hard to get himself a contract extension, and has become a really important part of our group and an important part of the way we play.

“He’ll come back bigger and stronger and he's got full support of everyone at our club.”