Melbourne are confident they can settle key forward Harrison Petty despite the lure of a move back to South Australia.
The Demons are also adamant they have full confidence in recruit Jack Billings' body to hold up and allow him to give them the touch of class they need to link their midfield and attack.
Adelaide made a play to land Petty, who is contracted at Melbourne until the end of 2025, but were rejected sternly by the Demons.
"We've had lots of conversations with Harrison and he's really comfortable with that decision. I'm really happy to say that," list boss Tim Lamb said.
"We had conversations with Harrison where he spoke about the lure of home and some of the issues around that, with his family and their ability to get over here and watch him play and be involved a bit more.
"We'll work with him to make sure that there is a better situation for him.
"But he's more than comfortable. He's ready to come back and he's looking forward to a terrific season."
When asked if he expected Petty to eye a trade next year or in 2025, Lamb said "I can't predict the future, mate".
Petty, a premiership defender in 2021, shapes as a crucial part of a forward line, alongside Jacob van Rooyen, which the Demons are still desperately trying to get right.
"Harrison loves playing in the forward line," Lamb said.
"He's a great team man and a great teammate.
"He'll play wherever is the best position for the club."
The Demons snapped up silky midfielder-forward Billings from St Kilda for their future third-round pick on the final day of trade period.
Between injuries and falling out of favour at the Saints, Billings played just three games this year and eight in 2022.
Lamb bristled when he was asked how the Demons had completed a medical on Billings when he was overseas, and was "100 per cent" confident the 28-year-old's body would hold up.
"These things can happen really quickly," he said.
"Jack's overseas. We've known him since his draft year.
"Medicals can happen in a variety of ways. Club doctors and medicos can talk to each other so it can happen really fast.
"I won't go into the details of how our doctors work, but we don't bring anyone in without them being across everything."
