Next Saturday night's clash with the reigning premiers will also be the 300th game for club stalwart Nathan Jones.

The Demons continued to impress on Sunday, first keeping their poise and then blowing away Hawthorn in the last quarter for a 50-point win at the MCG.

Captain Max Gawn was best afield in the 15.14 (104) to 8.6 (54) win with 24 hitouts and 10 marks, eight of them contested, plus a crucial goal in the last quarter.

Melbourne have lost their last five games against the Tigers, last beating them in 2016, but the Demons will bring impressive momentum to the MCG clash.

Forwards Sam Weideman (seven goals) and Ben Brown (three goals) also impressed in the VFL, while defender Steven May and forward Bayley Fritsch could return from injury.

"It's always a big game, Anzac Eve, and it's a great occasion," coach Simon Goodwin said.

"We know what we're up against."

Hawthorn took it up to the Demons for the first three quarters, leading at the main break for the first time this season.

But two sliding door moments either side of three-quarter time cost the Hawks.

First - returning defender Michael Hibberd's desperation helped stop a Hawthorn goal, meaning Melbourne took a 10-point lead into the final term.

After the Hawks kicked the opening goal of the last quarter, they had a two-on-one marking contest deep in their inside 50m.

But again, Jake Lever's pressure meant they could not capitalise.

Gawn's goalkicking has never been his strong suit, but a few minutes later his booming set shot sparked a seven-goal avalanche that sealed the win.

"His ability to understand his game and where to position himself, he was sensational today," Goodwin said of Gawn.

"But it's his leadership that I'm most impressed with."

With Tom McDonald impressing in attack and Weideman and Brown making their cases for senior selection, the Demons have much to ponder at the selection table.

"It's just a fantastic problem to have and it's one we didn't think we'd have at the start of the year," Goodwin said.

Most importantly, they kept their nerve and this has been a focus for Melbourne.

Goodwin revealed they had gleaned some wisdom during the week from tennis great Andre Agassi about mental strength.

"We've worked really hard at re-setting ourselves ... we got a clip from Andre Agassi that spoke about his ability to re-set after every point," Goodwin said.

Hawthorn slipped to 1-4, but coach Alastair Clarkson was pleased with his side's endeavour.

"Ultimately when you lose a game by 50 points it looks like it's been a pretty miserable day, but we're pretty pleased with what we were able to serve up for the first three quarters," he said.

Midfielders Jaeger O'Meara and Tom Mitchell were best for the Hawks.

Australian Associated Press