Still smarting from the semi-final loss that ended their AFL premiership defence, Melbourne have focused the round-two conflict with the Brisbane Lions as a key take a look at.
The Lions picked aside Melbourne final September for a memorable finals win, punting the Demons out in straight units.
Melbourne may welcome again premiership quartet Bayley Fritsch (foot), Christian Salem (thyroid), Jack Viney (knee) and Steven May (calf) for Friday’s assembly, as they arrive off an enormous round-one win over the Western Bulldogs.
By distinction, the Lions have been mauled by Port final Saturday, however Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin in underneath no illusions about what his aspect will face on the Gabba.
“They’ll be disappointed with how they played. We know too well how good a side they are,” Goodwin mentioned.
“They beat us in a final pretty comprehensively on our (MCG) home ground and they have a lot of top-end talent, they’ve added good players.
“They did some issues to us in that remaining we’ll be prepared for – we have labored actually arduous over the summer time to enhance our personal recreation.
“It’s going to be a cracking game. There’s a bit of a rivalry building between the two clubs in terms of how we go about our footy.
“Both golf equipment know one another’s video games rather well, so we get an opportunity to take a look at a number of the issues we have carried out put up that finals collection to make us a greater footy group.”
The Demons boasted a four-game winning streak against Brisbane before the semi-final loss.
Goodwin is unsure whether Salem will come into the senior side, but he is confident of regaining most of their four sidelined players.
“It’s nice for us, it may give us a fairly sturdy choice headache,” he said.
But they will be without utility Kysaiah Pickett, suspended for two games for rough conduct.
“There’s nobody who can exchange Kosi Pickett,” Goodwin mentioned.
“It’s going to be a factor we decide up as a group, the stress that he places on, there is not any participant who can do that basically (in) the competitors.”
While Goodwin enthused about Brisbane and returning players on Tuesday, he quickly shut down press conference queries about Glen Bartlett.
The former chairman has had a bitter fallout with the Demons and has alleged he was forced out early in the 2021 season after raising concerns about Goodwin’s behaviour away from the club.
“I spoke about this two years in the past. I mentioned it was irrelevant to me again then and it is nonetheless irrelevant to me now,” Goodwin mentioned.
“I’ve extra necessary issues to fret about when it comes to Brisbane stoppages, Lachie Neale, their potent ahead line, than speaking about Glen Bartlett.
“I’m not going to give it any oxygen at all, or any thought time, any energy.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
