MELBOURNE ruckman Braydon Preuss has been withdrawn from the VFL on Saturday as speculation intensifies about whether Demons star Max Gawn will take his place against Carlton at the MCG on Sunday. 

Gawn sprained his left ankle after landing awkwardly in a marking contest during his team's 33-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba last Sunday.

He left the field and received extensive treatment but returned to the fray before half-time to play out the game.

Max Gawn in action against Brisbane last Sunday. Picture: AFL Photos

FULL INJURY LIST Who's ruled out and who's a test?

Man-mountain Preuss, who was named as one of Melbourne's four emergencies, didn't take his place for Casey Demons against the Northern Blues at Casey Fields on Saturday after the Dees decided to hold him back as cover for Gawn.

Gawn failed to train on Thursday, after which coach Simon Goodwin said the reigning All Australian ruckman was battling a significant strain that had resulted in considerable swelling.

The brilliant big man would attempt to prove his fitness on Saturday, Goodwin added.

MATCH PREVIEW Can Blues make it two in a row against Demons?

"We're going to give him right to the end ... We're certainly not going to risk him because he's such an important player for us," Goodwin said on Thursday.

"He's a pro, he wants to win, so he's going to do everything he can." 

The third-last Demons have already made two changes for the clash with the second-last Blues, with runner Oskar Baker (omitted) and forward Tim Smith (calf) replaced by veteran Jordan Lewis and mid-season draftee Kyle Dunkley, who will make his debut.

Preuss last played AFL in Melbourne's round five loss to St Kilda at the MCG, having made his Demons debut a week earlier in the win over Sydney.