Simon Goodwin says speedster Kysaiah Pickett will probably be injected straight into Melbourne’s midfield on his return from suspension, whereas his contract negotiations are in a “great spot”.
The 21-year-old, who starred in spherical 1 with 19 disposals, eight tackles and 4 objectives, has been working “incredibly hard” on his cardio health throughout his two-week ban for a harmful excessive bump on Bailey Smith, the Demons coach stated.
“He’s had a little bit of extra conditioning … we’ve tried to use it as an opportunity to actually continue to grow his game,” Goodwin stated.
“Obviously, before he left the team he was playing in the midfield and a bit more forward, and we’re going to look to do that again with him.
“He’s got electric speed and we continue to focus on that but also continue to build his capacity to play some midfield time for us.”
Goodwin stated there was a troublesome choice resolution to be made to accommodate Pickett’s return after the Demons’ complete 50-point win over Sydney on Sunday.
He steered a midfielder could also be weak because of the spectacular type of the Demons’ small forwards, together with 23-year-old Kade Chandler, who booted three objectives in opposition to the Swans and is rated elite for tackles inside 50.
“We think we’ve got an opportunity to continue to grow our game internally as a footy club, and Kozzie is a big part of that,” Goodwin stated.
“He adds a different dynamic to our midfield when he’s in there, and we’ve got some small forwards going really well at the moment in Kade Chandler, Charlie Spargo and Alex Neal-Bullen.
“We feel using Kozzie at times through the midfield is going to be really important to us.”
Goodwin stated he was assured Melbourne may signal Pickett to a brand new deal earlier than the tip of the season.
“We’ve been in constant communication with Kozzie and his management team … he’s a pretty important player for us,” he stated.
“We’re hopeful that it’s going to get done fairly soon, we think it’s in a great spot, moving forward.”
Melbourne will take a cautious strategy with Ben Brown forward of the journey to Perth to face West Coast, with the important thing ahead nursing a again criticism.
Goodwin stated he could be examined at coaching on Thursday, with Tom McDonald ready within the wings ought to Brown miss the Eagles conflict.
James Harmes was prone to return to the membership subsequent week and resume coaching after taking a break from the sport for private causes, Goodwin stated.
Source: www.news.com.au
