COACH Simon Goodwin says Melbourne is preparing for Hawthorn’s best when the two sides meet at the MCG this Sunday.

Although Hawthorn has won just one game this year, after winning four flags since 2008, including three from 2013-15, Goodwin said there was no way the Demons would take the Hawks lightly.

“I’ve only seen them play once live [this year] and that was against the Eagles and they were pretty good that day. We’re preparing for their best and they played very well that day,” he said.

“There were some things in that game that they were exceptional at and they’re a very proud club, a very proud group and a well coached group.

“We’re certainly going to be having to play our style and our brand – the best that we can possibly play this weekend.”

Goodwin said he had tapped into former Hawk Jordan Lewis’ Hawthorn knowledge leading up to this week.

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t spoken to him about Hawthorn,” he said.

“He was there for such a long period of success, so he’s shared some stuff, but they’re a different team as well and they’re playing a different way.

“He knows the individual players and he knows a bit about how they play, so we’ll take a little bit of that, but also go about playing our brand as well.”

Goodwin said it was a fascinating week for Lewis, given he played 264 games for Hawthorn from 2005-16.

“It was interesting for Michael Hibberd and Jake Melksham last week,” he said.

“He’ll have some mixed emotions – there’s no doubt. I know deep down, after speaking to him, he’s looking forward to playing against his old club.

“He was there for 13 years and gave them great service and great success. I know he’s looking forward to playing well for Melbourne.”

Although Melbourne defeated Hawthorn in round 20 last year – the first time since 2006 – Goodwin said much had changed since then.

“It’s funny in footy – it was probably only 10 or 11 games ago, in terms of AFL games, but it feels like such a long time ago,” he said.

“The two teams are very different in a lot of ways and that was a really good day for us.

“We’ve had some difficult times against Hawthorn in the past and it’s important that we just focus on what we can control this week and it’s how we go about our footy.”

Goodwin said he was hoping to settle the side, given several injuries and changes have occurred in recent weeks. And he reiterated that former co-captain Jack Trengove remained on the cusp of selection.

“He’s continuing to work on a few things at VFL level and we’ll continue to invest a lot into Jack,” he said.

“He’s not that far off, in terms of the way he’s playing, but there are certain things that he’s aware of and that we’re trying to get him to do to play really good AFL footy.”

The annual Pink Lady Match is also happening this round and Goodwin said it was important event for the club.

“It’s a great initiative and a great partnership that the club has had with BCNA (Breast Cancer Network Australia),” he said.

“It’s been 11 years – and 17,000 women are going to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and we’re going through our own special case at the footy club at the moment and the support that they provide is exceptional.

“I think it’s a fantastic cause that we’re involved in.”

Meanwhile, Goodwin said it was silly to suggest youngster Clayton Oliver was a chance to win this year's Brownlow Medal.

“I’ve seen and heard some ridiculous things in my time, but six rounds in to be talking about that – I won’t give that the oxygen,” he said.

“He’s playing some really good footy – there’s no doubt about that. He’s a young player and he’s only played 19 games.

“He’s changed the way he goes about his footy. He’s changed the way he lives his life and his preparation, and his work habits and his body is in fantastic condition. We’ve all the seen the talent he has.”