If axed Melbourne forward Brad Green performs, he’ll play.

That was the message from the Demons ahead of a crunch AFL match against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday after Green was one of four players dropped.

Ex-Geelong premiership player Cameron Mooney has questioned whether Green’s AFL career is over after his axing.

But assistant coach Leigh Brown said Green’s age – he’s 31 – was not a factor in him winning back a seniors spot.

“He has to perform,” Brown said on Friday.

“There’s been guys knocking on the door trying to get back in … and Brad’s no different – go back (to the reserves) and play some really good footy.

“There’s no youth policy. Brad was out of form – simple as that.

“He wants to work hard and get back in, and that’s nothing that we wouldn’t expect from Brad.”

Green was axed as skipper in the off-season after new coach Mark Neeld took over.

He has been below-par in the Demons’ two poor losses to start the season – and was virtually unsighted in the 108-point drubbing by West Coast last weekend.

Mooney believes Green faces a serious crossroads.

“It doesn’t look good. If they’re going down the path that they’re going to keep losing games, then you need to play your kids for the future,” Mooney told Fox Sports’ AFL 360 on Thursday.

“Therefore, your older guys are virtually out the door.

“Unless he goes back and kicks bags and bags of goals and really warrants a position, I think it might be tough for him.”

But another experienced Demon struggling for form, Aaron Davey, has been recalled.

Brown said Davey – awful in the round one loss to Brisbane and caught up in the false racial claims which engulfed his club that week – had responded well to his axing and deserved a call-up.

Davey travelled with the team to Perth last weekend and trained solo.

“Aaron’s been pretty positive and enthusiastic throughout the whole time,” Brown said.

“He had some really tough fitness sessions over in Perth and his fitness stuff has been good this week. That’s why he’s back in the team.”

Richmond are also winless to start the season, heaping the pressure on whichever team loses.

Former Melbourne player Addam Maric has been recalled to the Tigers side to take on his old club, replacing injured small forward Jake King.