Simon Goodwin insists Melbourne aren’t making an attempt to show Brodie Grundy right into a everlasting ahead and has slammed “hysteria” concerning the ruckman’s future with the Demons.
Grundy was dropped for final Friday evening’s conflict with the Brisbane Lions as Melbourne most popular to make use of captain Max Gawn as their sole ruckman in an try to spice up their flagging attacking output.
In Grundy’s absence, the six-time All-Australian had among the finest video games of his profession to elevate the Demons to an exciting one-point come-from-behind win on the MCG.
Goodwin confirmed on Thursday that Grundy would spend one other week at VFL degree however is adamant the high-profile ruck partnership might nonetheless work – and even thrive.
“We’re trying to increase the combination forward of the ball. We’re not trying to turn Brodie Grundy into a forward – let’s be really clear on that,” the Demons coach mentioned.
“We’re trying to turn this ruck combination into a dominant force that will help us in the ruck, but also help us ahead of the ball.”
Once Grundy was axed, consideration turned as to whether the twin All-Australian wanted to discover a third membership in as a few years to be assured a recreation within the AFL.
Melbourne nice Garry Lyon this week mentioned he believed it might be “unlikely” Grundy would stay on the Dees past this yr.
“On the back of that hysteria; I’ve heard him playing as a permanent forward, I’ve heard we’re trying to trade him. That’s not the case.
“We love Brodie Grundy, we predict that is going to be a dominant drive and we’ll maintain working to do it.”
Grundy, who moved from Collingwood to Melbourne in the off-season, played in a VFL scratch match at Casey last Saturday instead of in the MCG blockbuster.
Melbourne booted their best score in almost three months, stunning the Lions with four goals in the first five minutes of the game and another four in the last seven to pull off a remarkable win.
They kicked 16.9 (105) – their best score in almost three months.
There is no timeline on Grundy’s stint in the VFL, according to Goodwin.
“We see Brodie and Max taking part in 10 minutes 1 / 4 ahead of the ball,” he mentioned.
“But how we get that further publicity is at VFL degree, so he’ll play as a everlasting ahead once more this week (within the VFL).
“We know what he can do in the ruck. We’re trying to increase his ability to impact forward of the ball.”
Versatile defender Harrison Petty was subbed out for a second-straight recreation on account of rib soreness and is not any certainty to face Adelaide on the MCG on Sunday.
“On the first sightings in the early part of the week, he’s progressing in the right direction,” Goodwin mentioned.
Star midfielder Clayton Oliver will miss an eighth-straight recreation and has already been dominated out for subsequent week’s conflict towards Richmond along with his persistent hamstring points.
Goodwin delivered a blunt “yes” when requested if Oliver would return to play once more this season.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
