All-Australian defender Steven May's return from injury is vital for Melbourne, coach Simon Goodwin says, as a battle with Sydney champion Lance Franklin looms.
But the Demons are all too aware that May keeping Franklin quiet won't be the magic touch that guarantees success at the MCG on Sunday.
In last year's qualifying final at the same venue, the hulking back-man held his celebrated opponent goalless from just seven disposals.
Yet Sydney won by 22 points, making it four victories in their last five encounters with the Demons.
Goodwin conceded the Swans "have had the wood on us" and highlighted the need to improve in other areas - but is keeping his cards close to his chest.
"We're getting a clearer and clearer picture about what we need to be good at against the Swans," Goodwin said.
"We've played them a few times in recent years where they have had some success against us.
"We're under no illusions that we need to make some changes to really take the game to them on both sides of the ball."
As always, the midfield is a key focus area.
Melbourne's vaunted on-ball division was obliterated by Brisbane last week and Sydney have emphatically swept aside inferior opposition - Gold Coast and Hawthorn - during an unbeaten start to the season.
Brodie Grundy will step into the No.1 ruck role in the absence of injured skipper Max Gawn, giving the Demons a fresh look and an air of unpredictability around the ball.
"Sydney's midfield is very experienced, they're high quality, and they're putting more and more talent through there with (Errol) Gulden and (Chad) Warner," Goodwin said.
"But they've also got the experienced heads of Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Luke Parker, James Rowbottom and these guys that have been around for a while now and are really hard to play against.
"We know what we're up against when we play Sydney.
"Their pressure will be high, their ability to win scrimmage and stoppage will be high and clearly they're doing a lot right in transition."
Key forward Jacob van Rooyen will make his debut for Melbourne, who have recalled James Jordon and Michael Hibberd alongside May.
"(May) is an important player and we know where he plays his best footy," Goodwin said.
"I'm sure he'll be on Buddy (Franklin) at times. They've had a pretty good duel in recent years."
Franklin returns from a one-match suspension and is the Swans' only change, forcing Hayden McLean out of the side.
"We love playing with Buddy. He's such a huge presence on and off the field, and I think we're a better side when he's playing," Swans teammate Gulden said.
"You learn so much from and whenever Bud's playing alongside you, you definitely walk a little bit taller. We're so happy that he's back."
Sunday's visit is Sydney's first trip to the MCG since last year's 81-point grand final thrashing from Geelong.
"That was obviously extremely disappointing and if we could go back and change it we would, but we've got a bloody big game against Melbourne," Gulden said.
"They don't care about the grand final last year and they don't care how we played last time we were at the MCG.
"They're worried about beating us Sunday afternoon, so that's what we're focused on."
