Christian Petracca would fortunately welcome Brodie Grundy again as Melbourne search an answer to their attacking woes in a cut-throat AFL semi-final in opposition to Carlton.
But the star midfielder is cautious of shifting Max Gawn ahead to accommodate fellow ruckman Grundy’s return, declaring the captain’s stoppage work essential to the Demons’ possibilities on the MCG on Friday evening.
The choice door is open for Grundy – who has been working at VFL stage on his ahead craft – after Jacob van Rooyen’s one-match suspension for putting.
The Demons are contemplating difficult the ban on the AFL tribunal.
“What (Gawn) is doing in the midfield and as a ruck is pretty special at the moment,” Petracca informed reporters on Sunday.
“His game on the weekend was just incredible … we were pretty good in the clearances and around the ground in stoppages.
“Personally, I’d in all probability hold Max as a sole ruck.”
Gawn has relished the full-time ruck role since his partnership with Grundy was shelved in July, with the pair playing just one match together since round 17.
That was a month ago, when Melbourne lost to Carlton by four points.
Gawn and Grundy combined to give the Demons a 59-29 advantage in hit-outs that night against Blues pair Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning.
“I do not actually care who will get picked so long as the perfect 22 are match to play and need to compete,” Petracca mentioned.
“Brodie’s been a tremendous particular person all through this previous 5 – 6 weeks.
“It’s been difficult for him, as it would be for anyone, but his character has been amazing and he’s such a resilient person.”
Out-of-favour Josh Schache is also thought of for a recall whereas Ben Brown, who has not performed an AFL match since spherical 19, has battled a knee subject and missed match simulation final week.
Melbourne recalled Tom McDonald for injured teammate Jake Melksham for final Thursday’s qualifying last in opposition to Collingwood and managed simply seven objectives from 69 ahead entries.
The way more environment friendly Magpies gained by seven factors, kicking 9 objectives from 37 entries.
“Us midfielders need to get better at delivering the ball inside-50, rather than just blazing away and putting it on their heads,” Petracca mentioned.
“But also, it’s finals footy. I watched a lot of the games this week and a lot of it was kick the ball forward, chaos-type footy.
“Every crew within the prime eight performs actually good defence, so it isn’t going to be good and fairly soccer such as you see through the yr.”
Carlton have won 10 of their past 11 games but have forward-line issues, with Harry McKay (concussion) unavailable and Jack Martin set to challenge a two-match striking ban.
“They’re an excellent crew and so they play an incredible contested fashion of footy,” Petracca mentioned.
“It’s going to be a tricky sport … however we’re actually wanting ahead to the problem.”
Melbourne premiership defender Michael Hibberd will retire at season’s end, after 13 years in the AFL.
The 33-year-old has played a total of 196 games, including 112 with the Demons after missing the 2016 season as one of the banned “Essendon 34”.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
