Braydon Preuss, Max Gawn and Jamie Elliott impress in Collingwood v Melbourne practice match
Braydon Preuss tightened his grip on a likely Round 1 berth while Jamie Elliott was proving a handful up forward. Find out everything you need to know about Collingwood’s practice match with Melbourne.
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Melbourne recruit Braydon Preuss tightened his grip on a likely Round 1 berth after staging a big man Demon double act with Max Gawn in the club’s 24-point practice match win over Collingwood at Olympic Park on Friday.
The former Kangaroo proved a handful for the Magpie defenders, kicking two goals and providing a serious physical presence in attack.
As Gawn made the most of Brodie Grundy’s absence with a best afield showing, Preuss showed why the Demons looked to recruit the powerful ruck/forward in the off-season.
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With the Demons scheduled to take on Port Adelaide duo of Paddy Ryder and Scott Lycett in the opening game, coach Simon Goodwin would have been delighted with Preuss’ aggression and output against the Magpies.
“He will get suspended this year ... there were some genuine hits out there today (from) the big boy,” Gawn said of Preuss’ aggressive attack on the contest.
“We want him to play like that. His strength is his strength and he took a couple of clunks (marks) and he can kick a mile.
“It worked out well with three rucks for Collingwood (Max Lynch, Mason Cox and Jordan Roughead) and two for us (Gawn and Preuss). It will be interesting against a one-ruck team like Richmond with (Toby) Nankervis, in the next JLT game (at Shepparton on March 3).
“We will see how it all balances out.”
Injury-plagued Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott, whose body didn’t allow him to play a single AFL game last year, kicked the opening two goals of the game in a positive sign for the Magpies.
But the Demons bounced back with the next five goals of the game, including two to Preuss to take hold of the contest.
Both teams were missing a host of their regular stars but turned on a lively display before more than 2000 fans.
Reborn Magpie Dayne Beams was busy early and won the support of the crowd with a bruising early tackle that resulted in a free kick.
He ended up with two goals for the game in a midfield role that will surely assist the Magpies this year on the scoreboard.
Darcy Moore played deep in defence and looked sore in the early stages, going off to get some ice in the first term.
But thankfully he re-emerged and performed well, dragging down two towering marks in the third term.
The Magpies’ first round draft pick Isaac Quaynor sat out the first half before coming into play in the third term.
His first touch was special as he streamed from half back and neatly found Treloar in the forward line. His second came from a free kick following a strong tackle.
Ben Reid kicked last quarter goals to bring the margin back a little.
But Melbourne’s pressure and poise held the Magpies at bay.
The Demons were without the likes of Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, Steven May, Nathan Jones, Jake Melksham and Tom McDonald.
“I am big fan of Christian Salem,” Gawn said. “With the ball in his hands, we are a much better team.
“I would be watching him this year, he has been mainly half-back, but he will come into the middle a bit more (this year).”
Gawn said the defence held up well, in the absence of Jake Lever and Steven May. “I was very impressed with Oscar McDonald and Sam Frost ... the two stalwarts we have had over the last three or four years have put their hands up for Round 1.”
He said May is back running now from his hamstring issue, and was looking towards the JLT Community Series - most likely the second game - to play his first competitive game in a Melbourne jumper.
Sam Weideman was good in attack, taking some good marks, the Demons shared their goals around, and former Magpie VFL player Marty Hore took some of the Demons’ kick ins.
The Pies had to make do without four of their best players in Grundy, Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury and Jordan De Goey, as well as a number of others.
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