A TEN-WEEK stint in the VFL where he could focus on improving his work rate and forward pressure was the best thing for Melbourne's Jeff Garlett, coach Simon Goodwin says.

Since returning to the side against Fremantle in round 16, the small forward has been a significant inclusion for the Demons with the speedster booting eight goals from his past five games.

Garlett, 29, said he had no choice but to go away and work on some inconsistencies in his game while playing for Casey in the VFL.

"Everyone gets disappointed when they're not playing in the ones," Garlett told AFL.com.au.

"All I had to do was cop it on the chin and work on those little things in my game."

The key focus for Garlett – his work rate and repeat efforts to get to more contests – shone through in a positive way in Sunday's game against Gold Coast.

In an effort to improve his fitness and second efforts, Garlett has been completing extra sessions with part-time boxing coach Jimmy Kostaras, and he said that additional work had started to pay off.

Garlett's speed and ability to position himself front and square at contests generated two goals for himself from a season-high 21 disposals and two goal assists for others against the Suns.

It's the selfless attitude Garlett has adopted since coming back into the side that has impressed Goodwin the most.

"It's (Garlett's work rate) been the hallmark of his last few weeks. He's working a hell of a lot harder especially in and around the contest," Goodwin said.

"I thought for four quarters today he really stepped up his pressure and took it to another level.

"His stint back in the VFL has been good for him and he's starting to create some really good habits in our forward 50."

Garlett said Goodwin was open and honest with him about the areas of his game that he needed to improve.

"Goody's been awesome. He's good with all of the boys," Garlett said.

"It was more about getting back to basics and knowing what I can do for the team and that's forward pressure, chasing and tackling, everything else takes care of itself."

One of the reasons Garlett found himself out of the side was due to the emergence of fellow small forward Charlie Spargo in his first season at AFL level.

Spargo has averaged 12.5 disposals and one goal from his 12 games.

"I definitely try to work with him," Garlett said.

"At training we do a lot of crumbing work so hopefully I can help develop him as a small forward.

"It works both ways – I'm learning stuff off him as well."