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 as Green was one of four players dropped.

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 had been 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.

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

Both the Demons and Richmond are winless.