Melbourne star Max Gawn has denied that much-improved teammate Jack Watts missed out on selection for the Demons' first practice match of the year due to an attitude problem.

Watts enjoyed a long overdue breakout season in 2016 which saw him kick a career-best 38 goals and earn a top-five finish in the club's best-and-fairest count.

Despite completing all of the pre-season training, being fully fit and now firmly entrenched in the Demons' best 22, the former No.1 draft pick was overlooked for the hit-out against the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval on the weekend.

Gawn said it was an exciting reflection of the club's depth that a player like Watts was being made to fight for his spot in the team.

"I'm sure that wasn't based on because he (Watts) is not good enough to be in our 22, I think it's more based on some of the training things we've seen from other guys around him like Sam Weideman and Aaron vandenBerg who deserved a go," Gawn told SEN radio on Tuesday.

"'Wattsy' has come a long way in the seven years that I've known him and he's probably in the best headspace he's been in for a long time.

"So I don't think it's an attitude problem this year. The Jack Watts we saw last year will be the Jack Watts we see this year, we just didn't see it on the weekend.

"We've got players probably about 30-35 deep now that can all play in different positions."

With Melbourne's list now the strongest it has been for a decade, Gawn said new coach Simon Goodwin had the luxury of making statements at the selection table.

"I think 'Roosy' (former coach Paul Roos) was in a tough position where our list depth probably wasn't as good as what it is now," Gawn said.

"So Roosy probably didn't have the opportunities to not play some people. I think 'Goody' (Goodwin) has got that opportunity now."

Melbourne legend Garry Lyon had a stronger viewpoint on Watts' non-selection, saying he was "really disappointed" in the 25-year-old.

"You're telling me on February 21 on the back of what was supposed to be a breakout year for this footballer, who had been through such a tough time, is now not in a good enough space or shape to have made a first up JLT squad of 29?," Lyon said.

"What does that say about his professionalism? He hasn't worked hard?

"If he hasn't made a squad of 29 for the first game, what's he been doing all summer?"

Melbourne have been contacted for comment.