Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin expects star on-baller Clayton Oliver to slip seamlessly again into the Demons’ midfield combine on his return from damage within the big AFL conflict with Carlton.
The Blues are the competitors’s hottest staff, using a seven-match successful streak into Saturday night time’s MCG blockbuster.
But they are going to be with out injured ball-winners Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra towards a full-strength Demons engine room, which incorporates Oliver for the primary time since spherical 10.
Melbourne have improved statistically by means of the midfield – particularly in contested possession, clearance and midfield ground-ball differential – whereas Oliver has been sidelined by a hamstring damage.
Andrew Brayshaw and James Jordon have stepped into the breach, permitting robust on-baller Jack Viney and forward-half weapon Christian Petracca to play their traditional roles.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard on that part of our game in the last 10 weeks with Clayton being in rehab,” Demons coach Goodwin mentioned.
“Clayton will fit into that model, no worries at all. He’s a fantastic clearance player, he’s a fantastic stoppage player, and we’ll make sure that midfield group has great synergy.
“That’s a very vital a part of him coming again into the staff now; constructing that cohesion over the subsequent two or three weeks.
“But I have no fears that Clayton Oliver won’t fit our midfield group. He’s an elite player and we’re just rapt to have him back.”
Goodwin mentioned Oliver had been coaching at “90 per cent for five or six weeks” earlier than ticking the ultimate packing containers in current days.
“He’s raring to go. He’s going to be really fit and strong and fresh,” Goodwin mentioned.
Remodelled ahead Harry Petty’s season-ending foot damage has opened the door for Brodie Grundy to resume his ruck-forward mixture with Max Gawn, which has been on maintain for a month.
High-profile recruit Grundy has hung out within the VFL engaged on his ahead craft as Goodwin seeks to get probably the most out of his tall weapons.
“We love the combination in the ruck and what they provide us from a ruck perspective,” Goodwin mentioned.
“It’s about maximising their input when they’re forward of the ball.
“We’ve acquired a plan heading into the sport however which will change in-game. You by no means understand how that is going to play out.”
Gawn and Grundy will team up in a pivotal encounter with Carlton rucks Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning, while Patrick Cripps and George Hewett confront Oliver, Petracca and Viney at ground level.
“It’s going to be an enormous battle, with Grundy again in there and the 2 rucks,” Carlton coach Michael Voss mentioned.
“That midfield space goes to be a major a part of the sport. It helps Melbourne arrange their sport and it helps arrange our sport.
“There will be some really important battles that are won and lost in there, but we’re asking our midfield group to be able to get at it.
“At least if we are able to even that battle in there then hopefully we give our forwards some seems.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
