AFL 2024: Clayton Oliver steps it up at Melbourne training as Dees work on wonky forward line

With Melbourne’s forward-line injuries mounting before the opening round, the Demons have thrown Christian Petracca into attack to try and plug the holes.

Clayton Oliver completed a full session as he takes steps towards playing early in the season but Melbourne showed little signs of progress in its forward-line woes on Monday.

Oliver, who had largely kept to the Demons rehab group since his return to training on February 1, took his work up a level amid hot conditions, joining in match simulation in the back half of the session.

He played in the midfield through match sim, starting in a bib on the ‘B’ team but swapped to the ‘A’ side halfway through.

Clayton Oliver on the run. Picture: Michael Klein

The Demons haven’t ruled Oliver out of playing in the club’s season opener on March 7 in Sydney, but there were expectations he could take some time to be passed fully fit to play in a match.

His chances of playing in opening round could be swayed by how much time he spends on the field on Sunday, when Melbourne hosts Richmond for seven periods of match simulation at Casey Fields.

Defender Christian Salem starred in match simulation, finding the ball at will off halfback and hitting up teammates, after he was recently on limited training due to a hamstring tweak.

Lachie Hunter (calf) puffed through a running session in long sleeves as the mercury slid past 30 degrees, while Tom McDonald (calf) was also running solo.

Forward Ben Brown (knee) took in some light jumping and kicking as Shane McAdam left the track early.

Recruit McAdam has been eased through pre-season and often pulled out of match play.

Harry Petty watched training and didn’t partake in any running while on the track amid his slow build from a foot complaint.

Harry Petty was inactive on Monday. Picture: Michael Klein

ATTACKING WOES

Melbourne started match play with a centre-bounce drill, working on how it would deliver the ball and set up in the forward-50 after bounces.

After coming unstuck in the finals series through fruitless long bombs into attack, the Dees set up with three deep forwards and attempted to find some space in a crowded 50, with only young forward Matthew Jefferson taking a mark.

How Melbourne find a way to kick more easy goals has been one of the biggest questions this AFL pre-season.

Christian Petracca kicking was off during the match sim session. Picture: Michael Klein

Draftee Koltyn Tholstrup continues to impress on the track. Picture: Michael Klein

During three-quarter ground match sim, the ‘A’ team started with a forward line of Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen and Christian Petracca deep, with Kysaiah Pickett, draftee Koltyn Tholstrup and Kade Chandler playing high.

Again, there was little connection with the deep forwards and despite a standout display from Pickett, Melbourne looked scrappy trying to find its way forward.

Petracca in particular struggled with his kicking, before a hospital handball stopped a certain goal.

Tholstrup was one who managed to find teammates well, standing up strong in a tackle to hand off one goal to Pickett, as he continues to put his name in the mix for an opening round debut.

Fellow top draftee Caleb Windsor started on the wing for the ‘A’ side, with Melbourne delighted by his start at the club.

Forward Bailey Laurie also had plenty of midfield minutes with the ‘A’ team.

Adam Tomlinson played in the ‘A’ defence when they fielded a full six backmen, while Josh Schache chipped in as a tall forward option.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Clayton Oliver steps it up at Melbourne training as Dees work on wonky forward line