Melbourne skipper James McDonald admits the AFL's wooden spooners of the past two seasons can't keep using youth as an excuse for poor performances.

While the Demons acknowledge their large batch of footballing infants need time to improve, McDonald said playing the youth card would not wash forever after a period where Melbourne have won 12 of their past 66 games over three seasons.

"We can't keep using that tag that we're young as an excuse," he said on Tuesday.

"But on the weekend against Essendon (in a practice game) we had one player who'd played over 100 games and 16 or 18 under 20 games of AFL experience.

"You have to be understanding, but we're still striving to get the most out of them as soon as possible."

In one sign of optimism, McDonald has been impressed by Tom Scully and Jack Trengove, the two midfielders the club drafted with the first two picks in last year's national draft, and tipped the duo for early debuts.

"Their performances have been pretty good for a couple of young players who haven't had any experience at AFL level," McDonald said.

"If they keep tracking the way they are I wouldn't be surprised if they do play round one.

"I'm not on the match (selection) committee so I'll leave that up to the coach, but everything they're doing at the moment suggests they'd be a good chance."

The Demons play the Crows in a practice match in Elizabeth in Adelaide on Saturday, where both clubs will be chasing a first win of the pre-season.

Another player hopeful of playing in round one is Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson, who is confident he can overcome Achilles soreness to play his 350th career game against Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.

Johnson, 33, has not played this pre-season after he copped a knock to the calf muscle on his left leg, which then bled into the Achilles tendon, earlier this year.

The veteran half-forward is aiming to play in the fourth week of the pre-season campaign, which could mean the grand final of the knock-out competition if the Dogs beat Port Adelaide on Friday at Etihad Stadium.

He could also play the following week in the VFL, where he last played in the early 1990s.

"With no hiccups I'll certainly play a part in that last NAB Cup game or (practice match), whichever way it falls for our guys," Johnson said.

"The week after a decision will be made with the fitness staff and Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) in regards to what part they want me to play, possibly at Williamstown (in the VFL), or do a harder session at the footy club."

Johnson was confident he would be fine fitness-wise for the clash against the Magpies, as he had a solid fitness base behind him.

Melbourne and the Bulldogs joined forces on Tuesday to promote their round-seven clash at the MCG, which will be used to raise awareness about breast cancer.

The game will be played on Friday, May 7 and the Breast Cancer Network Australia is hopeful of having 14,000 survivors of breast cancer and their families among the crowd, the same number of women that are diagnosed with the disease every year in Australia.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP