AFL 2023: Melbourne looks for replacements for Jacob van Rooyen, Angus Brayshaw for semi-final
Melbourne is trying to avoid becoming the first club to go out of the finals in straight sets two years running – and Simon Goodwin has to make some big selection calls. Who comes in?
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
James Jordon appears on track to replace Angus Brayshaw in Melbourne’s midfield as the Demons decide whether to go tall or small in attack with their second forced change for Friday night’s semi-final against Carlton.
The Demons on Monday accepted key forward Jacob van Rooyen’s suspension – potentially opening the door for 173cm goalsneak Charlie Spargo to light up the forward line in what would be a reshaped attack.
While the media was locked out of Friday morning’s scratch match between Carlton and Melbourne it is understood that Spargo starred at Ikon Park.
Out of favour ruckman Brodie Grundy – who is increasingly likely to request a trade to Sydney – primarily spent that hitout in the ruck against teenager Hudson O’Keeffe.
Three-game swingman Daniel Turner played forward and also impressed onlookers who were allowed inside the Blues’ home ground.
Grundy did spend some minutes forward and also suffered a couple of heavy knocks late in the match simulation.
But the biggest change to the Demons’ dysfunctional forward set up could be Norm Smith Medallist Christian Petracca.
Brayshaw’s injury early in the qualifying final forced Petracca to spend 77 per cent of his gametime onball.
That was a significant role change for Petracca, who had played forward for 53 per cent of his minutes from rounds 17-24.
Petracca still starred from the midfield and ignited the second-half surge that almost got the Demons over the line.
He polled three coaches’ votes.
Excitement machine Kozzie Pickett started the season in the centre square, but attended only one centre bounce against the Magpies last week.
The Demons are fighting to avoid a fourth consecutive finals loss as the threat of becoming the first top-four club to bow out in straight sets for consecutive seasons looms.
The Demons recorded the equal-most inside 50m differential (+32) in a losing final on record last week.
The +32 differential was their best from any match this season, but they scored from only 26 per cent of those entries.
That was their worst return as many of the dump kicks were easily intercepted by Collingwood defenders.
The form of half-back Christian Salem is another problem for the Dees to consider.
Salem has not got going this season and some have suggested throwing the defender to half-forward to try and maximise his foot skills to connect with the forwards.
Captain Max Gawn’s eight coaches’ votes (the most of any player) reaffirmed that he was at his best without sharing ruck duty with Grundy.
Given Grundy spent the majority of his match play in the ruck the following morning it would appear that he is unlikely to come in to bolster the misfiring forward line.
Recalled key forward Tom McDonald did his job in preventing Collingwood captain Darcy Moore from setting up the game with intercept marks.
But McDonald missed an important set shot in the final quarter.
Tragedy, triumph and the phone call that changed everything
Logan Evans started 2023 as a highly-rated draft prospect. But in the space of two months, his life was turned upside down. The teenager was then hit with another blow in November – before the phone rang.
How high-flying Warner is staying grounded
He might not look it on the field with his darting runs through the midfield, but on matchdays Chad Warner is the picture of calm. He’s staying grounded ahead of one of the biggest matches of his career.