Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy looms as a central determine in opposition to Collingwood, the membership that pressured him out, in a King’s Birthday showdown that presents as a potential AFL grand ultimate preview.
Punted by the Pies final yr to ease wage cap stress, Grundy has overcome his harm woes and landed on his toes with the Demons.
His fearsome ruck mixture with Max Gawn – as soon as a fairytale mixture in All-Australian picks – has been integral within the Dees’ success to date, the pair enjoying selfless roles for the betterment of their aspect.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin could not be happier along with his acquisition, who could make an announcement when he and Gawn tackle Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox in a pivotal ruck battle on the MCG on Monday.
“He put in a power of work through the summer and he’s now at a club that really values what he brings to his team and we’re certainly going to embrace that,” Goodwin mentioned of Grundy.
“He’s obviously playing against his old team. He’s got some mates, he’s pretty close to Mason (Cox) I think.
“It’s going to be a reasonably good battle in there. Whenever you play your outdated membership, there’s a bit of little bit of a degree to show.”
Melbourne (8-4) can keep the heat on ladder-leading Collingwood (11-1) and Port Adelaide (11-2) with a win on Monday.
They are well aware of the threats posed by the Magpies, even without suspended star Jordan De Goey and a string of injured players, headlined by Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe.
“They’re the most popular staff on the town, there isn’t any doubt about that,” Goodwin said of a side that has won eight straight matches.
“But with that, it provides alternative, and there are issues inside their sport that we really feel we are able to get after.
“We’re not going to state them publicly but there’s things that we think we can get after.
“They’re enjoying a excessive stage of footy in all phases of the sport. If you give them the area offensively and the pace that they’ve, they trigger hassle.
“We’ll looking to take away as many of those things and put some of our strengths against them.”
Melbourne are additionally with out key gamers, together with Brownlow Medal fancy Clayton Oliver, who’s sidelined with an contaminated blister after lacking two matches with a hamstring harm.
Christian Petracca and Jack Viney might want to step up once more to cowl Oliver’s absence, whereas Tom Sparrow and Angus Brayshaw are additionally set for extra midfield time.
“Clayton leaves a pretty big hole in that area of the ground,” Goodwin mentioned.
“This gives us an opportunity to grow and not all the time do you have your best players available.
“The staff we’re enjoying on the weekend does not have a few of theirs, so we’re no totally different than anybody.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
