Melbourne’s ruck stocks suffer another blow with Braydon Preuss joining Max Gawn and Steven May on injury list
With the prospect of a Round 1 battle against Nic Naitanui looming large, Melbourne’s two first-choice ruckmen are sidelined after Braydon Preuss underwent knee surgery.
Melbourne
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Melbourne could face a Round 1 ruck conundrum after back-up big man Braydon Preuss had knee surgery, which has ruled him out for the first half of the season.
With star ruckman Max Gawn facing a race against time to play in the club’s March 22 season opener, the Demons could be forced to look at makeshift options to take on West Coast — and Nic Naitanui — in Perth.
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Gawn remains confident he can get himself up after injuring his knee on the Sunshine Coast last week.
Preuss had been the insurance option if Gawn fails to prove his fitness, having played alongside him in seven games with the Demons last year after crossing from the Kangaroos.
But a training mishap on Monday means he will now miss up to 10 weeks with a meniscus tear, leaving Melbourne in an awkward position leading into the 2020 season.
Melbourne general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said it was a tough blow for Preuss, given he had enjoyed a strong pre-season and was looking to push for selection.
“Braydon landed awkwardly on his right knee (on Monday), with scans revealing that he has sustained a medial meniscus tear,” Mahoney said.
“He underwent surgery to his right knee on Tuesday afternoon. We felt this was the best course of action to prevent any further issues moving forward.
“At this stage we expect Braydon to be unavailable for 8-10 weeks.
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Mahoney told the Herald Sun the club hoped Preuss could return a fraction earlier if the post-surgery healing runs better than expected, but the club won’t push him too hard too soon.
The Demons drafted exciting young ruckman Luke Jackson — who has been compared to a young Brodie Grundy — as the No. 3 pick in last year’s draft, but it remains to be seen if the 18-year-old would be considered for senior selection so earlier.
Other more makeshift options if Gawn doesn’t play include forwards Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman.
Steven May can’t provide help because he’s just gone under the knife again after suffering a setback following the removal of a cyst from his knee.
