Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has heaped reward on Tom McDonald after the recalled ahead returned to type in his crew’s 63-point demolition of West Coast at Optus Stadium.
McDonald was despatched again to the VFL after kicking only one objective throughout the opening two rounds of the season.
But the premiership ahead made probably the most of Ben Brown’s absence on Sunday with 4 objectives, 16 disposals, three contested marks and three rating assists in his crew’s 19.12 (126) to 9.9 (63) victory in entrance of 42,458 followers.
Bayley Fritsch chipped in with three objectives, whereas star midfielders Clayton Oliver (34 disposals, 10 clearances, 10 tackles) and Christian Petracca (29 possessions, three objectives) placed on a midfield masterclass
Brodie Grundy had a area day within the ruck on the best way to 22 possessions, 33 hit outs and 7 clearances.
McDonald’s fourth objective was one of many highlights of the match, with the 30-year-old competing arduous in a ruck contest in the course of the bottom earlier than operating ahead to obtain a handball and set sail from 52m.
“I was pumped for Tommy Mac today,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin mentioned.
“He wasn’t in the best of form in the first couple of weeks and we sent him back to the VFL where he actually played a really dominant game at VFL level, and then he’s come in today and done the same thing for us.
“He was fairly dominant within the air when he received his possibilities, and that is what we’re searching for.
“It’s a competitive team to be involved in and Tommy’s gone back and proven why he wants to be an AFL player.”
Demons defender Jake Lever went off within the final quarter with a minor ankle damage, however he is anticipated to be match for Saturday’s match in opposition to Essendon in Adelaide.
Michael Hibberd is unsure after being subbed off with an achilles challenge.
Sunday’s win improved Melbourne’s document to 3-1 and moved them into third on the ladder.
West Coast at the moment are 1-3 and face one other season of ache given their damage woes.
The Eagles made seven modifications to their crew following the damage carnage from final week’s western derby, which claimed stars resembling Liam Ryan, Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey and Jamie Cripps.
West Coast have been so quick on tall choices in defence that returning midfielder Elliot Yeo was pressured to play the position of key backman at instances.
Tim Kelly tallied a game-high 36 disposals for West Coast to go along with 5 clearances and two objectives, whereas Oscar Allen kicked three objectives.
Melbourne’s lead was solely 19 factors late within the second quarter, however the guests kicked seven of the subsequent eight objectives to interrupt the competition extensive open.
“They must have had 18-19 premiership players, and we were pretty young. So I think we’ll learn a lot,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson mentioned.
“We were disappointed we didn’t fight it out for the whole game, but we’ll look at the good stuff and leverage off that.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
