Paul Roos says Melbourne young gun Christian Petracca needs time in the VFL to improve his match fitness
MELBOURNE will not consider Christian Petracca for senior selection until his fitness is up to scratch to compete on the big stage.
Melbourne
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MELBOURNE will not consider Christian Petracca for senior selection until his fitness is up to scratch to compete on the big stage.
Petracca made his long-awaited return in Demons match-simulation training last week, but despite glimpses of his best coach Paul Roos wants to give the midfielder time in the VFL.
“We know he can do some special things but fitness is the important thing ... once he’s really fit we can start to judge form,” Roos said.
A decision will be made this week on how much game time Petracca will get in the VFL.
Petracca missed the entire NAB Challenge after breaking his toe before Christmas in a social basketball game.
He spent last year on the sidelines following surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Roos said Heritier Lumumba and Angus Brayshaw would need to prove themselves on the training track before breaking back into the best 22.
“They’re in the frame for selection but it’s now about fitness and touch,” he said.
Brayshaw showed no signs of a medial ligament strain that ended his NAB Challenge playing in a VFL practice match recently.
Lumumba also pushed his claims on the wing.
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