'Exhausting': Melbourne coach to keep narrow focus

Melbourne coach Steven King won't bother with the "exhausting" permutations of his club's last home-and-away game.

The Demons hold fifth spot ahead of hosting the Western Bulldogs on Saturday at the MCG.

Beyond that, King isn't wasting much time thinking of the possibilities.

"We're in a fortunate position, our destiny is in our own hands," King told reporters on Tuesday.

"It gets quite exhausting if we try to predict results or cheer for teams that you have no control over."

Depending on other results, Melbourne could rise to third with a win but slip to seventh if they lose.

"For us it's really simple: I just want our players to stay in the zone of playing a really strong brand of footy," King said.

The Bulldogs, in ninth spot, are locked in for a wildcard final but could rise to eighth with a win, or slide to 10th with a defeat.

And the Dogs will be bolstered by the return of inspirational captain Marcus Bontempelli, who was rested from last Sunday's draw against Carlton.

The Bulldogs, with Bontempelli (29 disposals, two goals) and Ed Richards (30 disposals, three goals) starring, pipped the Demons by three points in their sole previous meeting this year on May 24.

"I saw their game against Carlton, the way they pressured the Blues, the way Ed Richards and Libba (Tom Liberatore) got going around the footy," King said.

"And I know the power of young men getting an opportunity to play, so regardless of who comes in and out for them, you never underestimate who runs out on the ground in an AFL game.

"We have got a big challenge ahead of us ... (Richards) and Bonty were probably the two best players on the ground last time we played them, so I don't think we need too much reminder of how dangerous they are."

King was heartened by the VFL returns from long-term injury of vice-captain Jack Viney and Xavier Lindsay last weekend, but hinted both would need further outings in the state league before AFL selection.