AFL 2024: Melbourne star Jack Viney says Clayton Oliver will get better ‘real quick’ after interrupted off-season

The key to Melbourne kicking more goals will be improvement in a whole other area according to a Demons star not panicking after the opening-round loss.

Jack Viney is swamped by Isaac Heeney. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Melbourne midfield bull Jack Viney dismissed concerns over his team’s misfiring forward line, declaring their contest work was to blame for last week’s opening-round loss to Sydney.

Viney, who was his team’s best in the 22-point SCG loss to the Swans, also declared the improvement of “freakish” Clayton Oliver after an interrupted pre-season would enhance his team’s capacity to control the ball more often.

The lack of output from the forwards, an issue for the Demons throughout 2023, was again highlighted against the Swans, with Jacob van Rooyen kicking just one of his team’s nine goals, while Josh Schache and small-forwards Charlie Spargo and Kade Chandler all went goalless.

But Viney said the defeat came about because the “process” of getting the ball forward broke down and needed to be refined, adamant it was not a major concern.

“A lot of our contests, we’ve spoken about – (we) lost clearances … there were multiple areas that broke down for us,” Viney said.

“We were beaten by a better side. In terms of the contest, we were beaten convincingly.

Jack Viney was one of Melbourne’ best. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“It’s something we really try to pin our game on, that contest work, and to get beaten on it, it’s hard to win from there.

“Scoreboard, not too frustrating – it’s probably more the process of how we get there.

“That’s what we really look at and where the frustrations come from.”

Viney said the continued improvement of Oliver, who spent time away from the club and didn’t join the main training group until February as he battled off-field issues, would be crucial in helping Melbourne respond against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Clayton Oliver gets one of his 30-disposals against Sydney. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/Getty Images

Oliver still managed 30 disposals with managed game time, but Viney said the four-time best and fairest would be back to his best “real quick”.

“He’s coming off not ideal preparation, he’s had knee surgery, he played modified game minutes coming into the season,” Viney said.

“He’s probably not at his 100 per cent fittest, but even ‘Clars’ at 70-80 per cent is freakish … he’ll get back to his best real quick.

“You just love seeing competitive beasts (Grundy and Gawn) go at it like that.”

Melbourne will also have to find a replacement for young defender Jake Bowey, who will miss the next two moths after injuring his collarbone against the Swans.