AFL 2025: Melbourne will continue to explore playing star midfielder forward of the ball

Melbourne is willing to persist with one of its best midfielders more forward of the ball in the latter half of 2025.

Melbourne will continue to explore hard-nosed midfielder Jack Viney as a forward option in the back-end of its floundering 2025 season.

Viney played his first game back from concussion and a broken hand prior to last weekend’s bye.

That bye came at a good time for the Demons after losses to St Kilda, Collingwood and Port Adelaide.

Melbourne has struggled to be an offensive force at times this season, kicking more goals than points in just five matches.

But coach Goodwin sees “scope to develop” Viney as another option closer to goal despite the left-footer’s modest career goal tally (68).

“He’s had one game back in the team, the first priority for Jack was to get him back in the team, he’s our vice-captain and a really important player,” Goodwin said of Viney, who attended 17 centre bounces against the Power.

Coach Simon Goodwin sees ‘great scope’ for Jack Viney forward of the ball. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We will continue to explore not only him as a midfielder but him as a forward. We think he’s got great scope to develop in both areas.

“That’s where we’ll continue to put him.”

Young forward Jacob van Rooyen was recalled to the senior side after a stint in the reserves but has struggled to make waves across the past fortnight.

Goodwin said Melbourne was committed to supporting van Rooyen, who was “in a bit of a cycle” with his form.

“He’s certainly improved in some aspects of his game and he’s still got a lot to work on,” he said.

“We’re still working with a young key forward that’s developing his game. It’s competitive for spots, you look at a Matthew Jefferson who is playing really strong footy at the VFL level.

Melbourne is committed to the development of young key forward Jacob van Rooyen. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“He’s certainly pressing his claims to come in. We’ve got some developing key forwards – they take time, they go on their own little journey about their development.

“Sometimes it’s you’re in, you play, you stay; sometimes you’re in, you play, you go out, you learn, you grow, you get better, you come back in.

“Jacob is in a bit of that cycle right now. We’re committed to making him the best player he can possibly be – he’s still growing and still got things to work on.”

The congested the ladder means the Demons could slip into the bottom four with a poor loss to Gold Coast this weekend or surge as high as 10th with a strong win.

Originally published as AFL 2025: Melbourne will continue to explore playing star midfielder forward of the ball