May grabbed at his right hamstring after losing a marking contest in the first quarter of Friday's preliminary final, and he went straight down to the rooms to get his leg strapped.

The All-Australian defender returned to the field at the start of the second term, but was subbed out in the third quarter once the win was secure.

May is one of Melbourne's most important players, and his fitness looms as a huge talking point leading up to the September 25 grand final in Perth.

The fact there will be a bye week before the grand final this year will massively boost May's chances of playing in the premiership decider.

"Steve's just got a bit of a tight hamstring," Goodwin said.

"It is back-related tightness in the hamstring, so we'll have to assess that and see what it looks like over the next few days.

"He could still move. We're quietly confident he'll be okay."

Goodwin was comfortable with the decision to get May back onto the field in the second quarter.

"The game was still in the balance," Goodwin said.

"He was an important player to us, he felt like it was okay.

"They felt like it might have been back-related, so at that stage of the game it was worth taking the risk.

"He got a little bit tighter as the game went on so we didn't want to take the risk and we subbed him out of the game."

"(The two-week break) gives him a chance to really rest and recover over the next three or four days,

"That will help Steven, there's no question about that. He's a full pro now, and he'll look after his body and give himself every chance."

The other big talking point will be whether Demons veteran Nathan Jones stays with the group until the grand final or returns home to be with his pregnant wife Jerri, who is expecting twins.

Jones was an unused emergency against Geelong, and he is unlikely to earn a berth for the grand final.

The 33-year-old hasn't played a game since round seven, and Goodwin says he will let Jones decide whether he wants to leave the team's bubble in Perth or stick it out until the grand final.

"It's a really tough situation. He's so proud of his footy club right now," Goodwin said.

"He's given so much and he's in a really tough situation. Jerri is due with twins and they could come at any stage.

"But he is close to selection, he's pushing his case, and he certainly wants to be a part of it."

Australian Associated Press