Track Watch: The latest from Melbourne Demons pre-season training
After its failed Brodie Grundy experiment, Melbourne has risked being exposed with Max Gawn as its only senior ruckman. Who will be the Dees’ No.2?
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Melbourne could be forced to field an undermanned and inexperienced forward line against Sydney in its season-opener next month as lingering injuries add to availability woes.
Just a month out from the Demons’ opening round clash with the Swans, defender-turned-forward Harrison Petty is still battling a foot injury and veteran key forward Tom McDonald had a fresh calf complaint at training on Wednesday.
Petty — who booted eight goals across two games in attack late last season — has had a limited summer due to a Lisfranc injury he suffered last August.
Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson said last week that the Demons were looking to “up the loads” for Petty and see “how he responds”.
However, Petty did very little after taking part in some early drills at training on Wednesday, spending time on the exercise bike and doing weights while teammates took part in some modified match simulation.
McDonald was restricted to some ball work on the sidelines, while recruit Shane McAdam also trained away from the main group in a further concern.
Fellow off-season signing Tom Fullarton (hamstring), key forward Ben Brown (knee) and marking mid-sized forward Jake Melksham (knee) have already been ruled out of the start of the season due to injury.
Livewire small Kysaiah Pickett impressed on Wednesday as he brought some magic in attack, but the 22-year-old is unavailable to take on the Swans after copping a one-match suspension for bumping Carlton captain Patrick Cripps in last year’s semi-final.
The Demons will also be without Joel Smith — who booted three goals in last year’s semi-final — as he remains provisionally suspended after returning a positive result to an in-competition doping test last August.
Melbourne is set to face off with Richmond in a seven-period match simulation hitout at Casey Fields on February 18, in preparation for its clash with the Swans at the SCG on March 7.
OLIVER TREADING LIGHTLY
Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver remains on light training duties away from the main group.
Oliver spent most of Wednesday’s session running laps at Gosch’s Paddock, as well as doing some one-on-one ball work with assistant coach Andrew McQualter.
He had started training doing some roving drills with ruckman Max Gawn.
The 26-year-old only returned to the track last week, after taking an extended break from the club to deal with personal issues.
Teammate Christian Petracca had said on Tuesday that Oliver would “integrate soon” with the main group, but no official date has been put on his return.
Rebounding defender Christian Salem – who has had recent hamstring niggles – ran laps with Oliver after taking part in some drills with the main group to start training.
Wingman Lachie Hunter (calf) was also part of the rehabilitation group and completed a limited individual program.
NEW KOLT HERO?
First-round draft pick Koltyn Tholstrup continues to impress and looks likely to become a fan favourite in the years to come.
The No. 13 pick from last year’s draft showed that he knows how to find the footy during some modified match simulation on Wednesday, but also used the ball very well across half forward and set up teammates inside 50.
The forward connection piece has been an ongoing issue for the Demons, but is one which Tholstrup could help address.
No. 7 draft pick Caleb Windsor also caught the eye once again.
The wingman appeared to have the wind knocked out of him at one point, but picked himself up and got on with it.
The running machine — who has strong agility and evasive skills — has drawn comparisons to Carlton’s Sam Walsh and looks capable of making an early-season AFL debut.
LITTLE BACK-UP
After the departure of Brodie Grundy to Sydney during the trade period last October, Melbourne has been left lacking in the ruck department.
Behind captain Max Gawn – who turned 32 in December – there are only two other recognised ruckman on the list, both of whom are rookies.
The two rookie rucks are Kyah Farris-White and Will Verrall, who are 20 and 19 respectively.
Farris-White went up against Gawn during modified match simulation on Wednesday and looks to be improving, but still has plenty of development to come.
Brisbane Lions recruit Fullarton is capable of doing some ruck work, but will miss the start of the season through injury.
The Demons will have their fingers crossed that Gawn can get through the season unscathed, because after him the ruck cupboard is relatively bare.
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