Demons star Brodie Grundy has requested for the primary centre bounce towards his previous facet, as captain Max Gawn says his new ruck companion needs to “prove a point” within the King’s Birthday conflict.
Grundy will face Collingwood for the primary time since he was pushed out of the membership with 5 years to run on his contract in a wage dump commerce.
He has returned to a few of his greatest type on the Demons and has hit the scoreboard whereas working in tandem with Gawn after his return from damage, booting seven targets in six video games.
Gawn stated the 29-year-old was a “laid-back character” however would enter the Monday afternoon blockbuster with additional motivation after the circumstances of his exit.
“He’s really excited. He’s very, very close with a lot of those guys, including Mason (Cox) who I’m presuming he’ll probably play a fair bit on,” Gawn stated.
“I know he’s keen to play – as would anyone that gets shown the door from their former club.
“As much as he is a laid-back character, I’m sure inside he’s going, ‘I want to prove these guys a point’, so I’m excited to see what he brings.”
Gawn stated the previous Magpie had requested to take the primary bounce towards his previous facet, with the skipper pleased to oblige.
“He’s asked for the first centre bounce. I think I’ll give it to him,” he stated.
“It’s (coach Simon Goodwin’s) call … Goody has actually made the call the last two or three weeks about who does the first centre bounce.”
Clayton Oliver is poised to return from a hamstring damage that has sidelined him for 2 video games, with Gawn praising vice-captain Jack Viney and rising midfielder Tom Sparrow for plugging the “hole” left by his absence.
“You take Clayton Oliver out of any side and you’re going to miss him,” he stated.
“We were able to plug that hole and that’s the same if anyone goes down … but I would love him back.”
Gawn stated he was anticipating a contest much like the Demons’ earlier two encounters with the Magpies, who had run excessive with a pair of very good final-quarter performances.
“They’ve lost two games in almost a year of football. They’re easily the benchmark at the moment and really looking forward to it,” Gawn stated.
“Both games last year at three-quarter time was basically even and then they ran away with it, which is typical Collingwood fashion.
“So I’m presuming it will be something similar – but not them running over us in the last quarter, just to clear that up!”
Source: www.news.com.au
