As far as Lions coach Chris Fagan is concerned, that ladder isn't telling the real story.

Melbourne snapped a four-game losing run with a win over Fremantle last weekend but head to the Gabba with just four victories to their name in 2019.

Fagan's men are 8-5 after a dominant display over St Kilda but had their pants pulled down before the bye when last-placed Carlton defeated them.

That defeat to the Blues was surely at the forefront of Fagan's mind as he warned about the Demons' being far from easybeats.

"They've been in really good form the last five weeks," Fagan said.

"That might sound strange for me to say that because they've only won the one game and that was last week against Freo.

"The previous four weeks they've played teams like Collingwood, GWS, Adelaide, who are all in the top eight and they've pushed them all the way.

"We have huge respect for Melbourne, they played in a preliminary final last year and have a talented list. They play a hard, contested brand of footy."

Fagan has a welcome headache heading into the contest however with Jarrod Berry's return from a knee injury meaning only Tom Cutler (foot) and Connor Ballenden (ankle) are unavailable for selection.

Fagan said his selection to tackle the Demons will be based on the best combination to win the game than sticking with the line-up which belted the Saints by 56 points.

"We have this year moved away from picking the same 22 each week to being a bit more horses for courses," he said.

"You need a good squad with good variety and different talents to be able to do that.

"That's a little step in our evolution as a footy club."

Australian Associated Press