MELBOURNE co-captain Jack Viney has been ruled out of Saturday's must-win clash against Collingwood, but forward Jack Watts could return as the Demons look to secure a top-eight finish.

Viney missed last week's clash against the Brisbane Lions with a foot injury and was declared a "week-to-week proposition", with Goodwin declaring on Thursday his midfield star would not be risked until he had recovered completely.

Watts has spent the past two weeks in the VFL and impressed with 20 disposals, 12 marks and one goal for Casey at the weekend, performing at a level that made him available for senior selection.

"Clearly there's a lot of hysteria around Jack and how he's performing, (but) he's improving," Goodwin said on Thursday.

"His two games at VFL level show he's progressing and he's performing now to the level that we think is really appropriate.

"We're really hopeful that Jack is continuing to improve and we're looking forward to seeing him play his best football shortly.

"I've said this a bit and I'll say it again because it's clearly something that's not getting through, Jack will be treated like every other player on the list."

Goodwin said the match committee would also look at Christian Salem, Corey Maynard and Jay Kennedy-Harris when picking its 22 to take on Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.

The Demons will secure a top-eight finish for the first time since 2006 if they beat the Magpies, but Goodwin was unwilling to look beyond this Saturday.

"It's really important for us as a footy club to focus on this weekend's game," the coach said.

"We haven't achieved anything yet.

"Where we sit at the end of round 23 will be the most important thing for this footy club and we've got a really important game this week.

"We've really got to focus on what is right here right now and that is Collingwood, Saturday at the MCG."

Goodwin remained wary of the Magpies, who have lost only two of their past six matches in a run that has appeared to give Nathan Buckley's coaching future new life.

Through an extended period of speculation on his coaching future, Goodwin said Buckley had handled himself incredibly well.

"I've got a lot of respect for Nathan and how he's gone about his business, how he coaches, and how he's handled himself," the Demons coach said.

"I think he's been first-class and he's done an incredible job through a really tough period."

Goodwin said he was a fan of the pre-finals bye, disputing Alastair Clarkson's assertion that clubs would rather not finish in the top four if this year's premier came from the bottom half of the eight.

"I think if any club was in that position they'd want to finish top four," Goodwin said.

"But I actually love the fact that the eight teams that are good enough to qualify get the chance to reset, re-channel their focus, and really move towards the second phase of the year.

"I think any club would want to finish top four no matter what the scenario."