Eight unlikely heroes keeping Melbourne in finals mix as Max Gawn eyes injury return

Many wondered if Melbourne would be a spent force without Max Gawn and Christian Petracca. As JON RALPH writes, the last month has shown the Demons are anything but.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 13: Daniel Turner of the Demons celebrates kicking a goal during the round 18 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 13, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Melbourne is refusing to rule out star skipper Max Gawn for a match-up against premiership teammate Luke Jackson as the Demons hailed the eight 23-and-under players fuelling their late-season resurgence.

Gawn had admitted in recent days he was unlikely to take on Fremantle at Optus Stadium while recovering from a crack in his fibula.

But after being released from his protective moon boot the Demons will give him a chance to train during the week and push for selection.

Jacob Van Rooyen emerged as the Demons ruck saviour after Sam Draper dominated Harry Petty in the first quarter, and coach Simon Goodwin said all options were still on the table for the Dockers clash.

Daniel Turner has emerged as a forward threat. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

But Gawn is still a live concern for the Demons as Sean Darcy progresses through the concussion protocol with a view to also taking on Melbourne.

“He’s progressing well. We’re not going to put a time limit on it, because we’re not sure,” coach Simon Goodwin said.

“But he did have a good couple of days the past few days, so we’ll assess him midweek and see where it’s at and make that call later in the week.”

Andy Moniz-Wakefield puts the heat on Nick Hind. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Goodwin was thrilled with the Demons return to its DNA – contest and pressure – as the young kids came along for the ride.

“I loved how we defended for a large part of the game and our contest game was strong all the way up until the last ten minutes. You combine that with the younger players continuing to evolve in our footy club and some of the leaders really stepping up as well. It was a good night for our footy club.”

For a team that has endured successive straight-sets finals departures, those eight kids 23 and under who are playing increasingly pivotal rules show the way forward.

Nothing was stopping Trent Rivers 😤

He takes out the @NAB Goal of the Year nomination for Round 15. pic.twitter.com/nfZ6Q6e6DS

— AFL (@AFL) June 27, 2024

EIGHT KIDS KEEPING DEES IN FINALS MIX

●Jacob Van Rooyen, 21, who kicked four goals last week then was exceptional in the ruck against Draper.

● Trent Rivers, 23, who has peeled off six excellent games in the midfield and has had 29 possessions in successive weeks as well as 15 total clearances.

●Judd McVee, 20, who has had another excellent year as a miserly defender averaging 17 touches while kicking at 80 per cent efficiency.

●Kysaiah Pickett, 23, who has kicked 12 goals in the past five weeks and 39 total score involvements.

● Wingman Caleb Windsor, 19, who has played all 17 games in a year that could be rewarded with the Rising Star and has kicked a goal in each of the past two games.

●Koltyn Tholstrup, 19, who has played the last four games for five in total in his debut year and who has only two goals but seven direct score assists in that time.

●Andy Moniz-Wakefield, 20, who has played three games as a pacy defender and is averaging six intercept possessions and 14 possessions.

●Daniel Turner, 22, who has kicked 11.3 and seven goals in the past four weeks (three against Essendon) as another key forward prospect for the Demons.

Originally published as Eight unlikely heroes keeping Melbourne in finals mix as Max Gawn eyes injury return