MELBOURNE star Jesse Hogan remains in doubt for Saturday’s Round 20 clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.

Hogan injured his knee in the Dees’ two-point win against Gold Coast Suns on Sunday, with a scan on Tuesday ruling out any significant damage.

However, the Dees would be reluctant to risk their main man - who has kicked 39 goals in 18 games this season – if he is not 100 per cent fit.

Melbourne says he's a 50-50 chance to play.

“He’s not too bad. The knee’s still a little bit puffy and he’s a bit sore, so he’s got a little bit of work to do in the next 24 hours, but we’re pretty confident that he can get out there and do a bit of training tomorrow (Thursday),” Melbourne elite performance manager Dave Misson said on Wednesday.

“He’s got until to Saturday, so it’s getting significantly better every day.

“He’ll need to improve a little bit to play, but we’re giving him every chance.”

Besides from Hogan – and a heavy knock to James Harmes, who returned to the field of play – Melbourne emerged from its eighth win of 2016 with a relatively clean bill of health.

At VFL level, the Dees have a handful of players pushing for senior opportunities.

Yet-to-debut draftee Sam Weideman looms as a like-for-like replacement for Hogan if he’s ruled out, while midfielders Ben Kennedy (39 disposals), Jack Grimes (39), Clayton Oliver (36) and Jack Trengove (36) all racked up plenty of possessions for Casey Scorpions on the weekend.

Chris Dawes, Josh Wagner, Christian Petracca and Jeff Garlett had quieter games against the Suns, if the Dees opt for multiple changes at the selection table.

Among the Dees' stronger performers in 2016 have been ruckman Max Gawn, who has established himself as one of the competition's elite big men, plus ball-winners Nathan Jones, Bernie Vince and Jack Viney.

Forward Jack Watts has enjoyed a career-best year, kicking 34 goals.