Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has conceded his plan for Brodie Grundy on the Demons “hasn’t quite been the success we were hoping for” however stays adamant the out-of-favour large man has a future on the Demons
Goodwin’s concession comes as he confirmed star Melbourne ahead Bayley Fritsch was “ready to go” for his staff’s final-round conflict with Sydney in a large increase to Melbourne’s premiership ambitions.
Injury and type points have prevented the Demons from deciding on a most well-liked mix of ahead targets all 12 months, and the seven-week absence of Fritsch, Melbourne’s main goalkicker in 2022, has been a problem to beat.
But Goodwin says the array of choices they’ve regained will likely be vital of their premiership tilt.
Goodwin, who prolonged his contract at Melbourne till the top of 2026 on Wednesday, stated Tom McDonald was shifting in addition to he had all season as he kicked three objectives within the VFL final weekend, whereas he was adamant the Demons nonetheless had plans for Grundy after he performed a second consecutive recreation for Casey.
The coach conceded his imaginative and prescient for Grundy and captain Max Gawn to ruck in tandem had not come to fruition.
But as rumours swirled that Grundy, who has performed 17 video games this season, didn’t wish to play second fiddle to Gawn, and golf equipment together with Geelong, Sydney and Port Adelaide have been trying to lure him away from Melbourne, Goodwin shut down any discuss of trying to commerce the previous Magpie on the finish of the season.
“That’s just not the space I’m in right now … these things will be discussed at the end of the year,” Goodwin stated.
“Brodie from my end is a Melbourne player. We need him up and running, we need him going well, and that’s my total focus at the moment.
“He’s got four years to go as a Melbourne player, and we certainly love having him at our footy club.”
Goodwin stated duty lay with Gawn in addition to Grundy for the mixture not working.
“In terms of the way they’re functioning in the team together from a forward half perspective, I think it’s pretty clear that we acknowledge it hasn’t quite been the success we were hoping for,” he stated.
“That certainly hasn’t been all on Brodie, we were hoping for Max to play big time up forward as well, and between the two of them we haven’t quite had the impact we would’ve liked throughout the year.”
Goodwin stated Fritsch may very well be efficient in the identical assault as fellow hybrid ahead Jake Melksham, with the veteran flourishing within the absence of the left-footer.
Fritsch has not performed since he limped off within the first quarter of the Demons’ spherical 16 loss to GWS with a damaged foot.
The 186cm Melksham has booted 13 objectives within the seven video games since, with Christian Petracca (14) the one teammate forward of him over that interval.
“They can definitely play together, they’ve done it before. We’re quite excited by the combination,” Goodwin stated.
“Jake is a very unique player, he plays both tall and small … they both play in a similar way but they have great impact in the game.
“They’re both incredibly smart in terms of their patterns, they’re leading, good air and ground, and they’re going to be a challenge for every team defence.”
Melbourne has locked in a top-four end however can safe a top-two spot and a gap residence closing with a win over Sydney on the SCG on Sunday, ought to Brisbane and Port Adelaide each lose.
Originally revealed as ‘He’s received 4 years’: Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin quashes Brody Grundy commerce discuss
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
