Melbourne confident forward weapons can cover loss of Jesse Hogan as they welcome Steven May
MELBOURNE believes it still has the weapons to be among the most potent attacks in the game next season despite the loss of Jesse Hogan, with the likes of Sam Weideman, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham and Christian Petracca to share the load.
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MELBOURNE says it still has the weapons to top 100 points in games next season despite the loss of spearhead Jesse Hogan.
The Demons made one of the biggest plays of the trade period, farewelling Hogan to help bolster their backline for a genuine shot at next year’s premiership.
In the end, Melbourne refused to cave on its demands for Hogan, acquiring pick No. 6 and No. 23 from the tough-talking Dockers.
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It allowed the Demons to land the prime stopper the defence required when it gave up only No. 6 for Steve May and rebounding backman Kade Kolodjahnij from the Suns.
But Melbourne is confident it won’t lack any potency in attack next season as it looks to Sam Weideman, Tom McDonald, Jake Melksham and Christian Petracca to share the load.
Football manager Josh Mahoney said the Demons showed late in the season when Hogan was injured that it could score heavily without him.
“What we have shown is that we get the ball inside-50m quite a bit and even though Jesse missed the last period of time, it was still able to function,” Mahoney said.
“Obviously he is a good player and kicked 47 gals for the year and got injured late.
“But the development of Sam Weideman and Tom McDonald as a forward, they provide two key roles down there and we think we have got enough options to kick goals.
“So that was part of the discussion, we have been able to look at it without Jesse and we have been able to manufacture goals and still kick 100 points without him.”
Mahoney said he understood fans’ disappointment losing Hogan, but said the club would enter next year with greater balance across its list.
“He (Hogan) has been a very good player for us, he has won games off his own boot,” Mahoney said.
“But we said we would try and do the best deal we can and from what we have been able to turn that into, we think they (fans) would look forward to seeing Steven May in our back line.
“He is going to be a real general down there for us and Kade Kolodjashnij gives us gives us more run on the wing, and our recruiting team will go to work with pick No. 23.”
May, 26, signed a five-year deal and will immediately join a team in the premiership window after eight years at the Suns without playing a final.
He will take the opposition’s best forward each week, allowing Oscar McDonald and returning interceptor Jake Lever to work off May.
Melbourne also hunted the best ruckman in the country who was not getting a regular senior AFL game and signed ex-Kangaroo Braydon Preuss on a four-year term.
“We thought there was a real concern if Max Gawn did get injured, particularly in the ruck, but we have been able to bring in Braydon Preuss who is ready to play AFL footy,” he said.
“So we have got an opportunity to either play him in the same team as Max, but also be there as a back-up.”
Originally published as Melbourne confident forward weapons can cover loss of Jesse Hogan as they welcome Steven May
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