AFL 2024: Melbourne to get goal-scoring help after losing opening game to Sydney

After losing an important player in a bitter opening-night loss, Melbourne is hopeful of some key players being available for their bounce-back game next weekend.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says reinforcements are on the way, Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

An opening night loss was compounded for Melbourne by a potential collarbone injury for young defender Jake Bowey but coach Simon Goodwin is hopeful some returning forwards can help address his team’s continued goalscoring woes.

Bowey left the field with discomfort in his right shoulder after making a courageous attempt at a spoil, resulting in an awful clash that saw him fly shoulder-first into the back of the Sydney midfielder.

Goodwin said he was hopeful Bowey wouldn’t be sidelined for too long.

“We’ll have to get that looked at. It’s looking more like a collarbone at this stage,” he said.

“We just need to make sure, get some scans and get that looked at. It was a pretty courageous effort from him. He put his body on the line and came off second best.

“That’s what we love about him as well.

The Demons lost Jake Bowey. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“He’s obviously disappointed but he’s in high spirits. If it’s a collarbone sometimes those things can get looked after pretty quickly.

“He’s optimistic about only missing a short amount of time.”

The Demons managed nine goals in the loss to Sydney at the SCG with a host of players unavailable due to injury and suspension against the Swans.

But Goodwin indicated help is on the way as they look to bounce back against the Western Bulldogs.

Heading the list of inclusions will be Kysaiah Pickett after he was handed a ban during last year’s semi final defeat to Carlton.

“Kossy will be back next week. He obviously missed with suspension but he’ll definitely be back next week,” Goodwin said.

“Harrison (Petty) is looking more like round two against Hawthorn.

“Tom Fullarton came back and played his first game last week for the footy club. He’s an option moving forward.

“Tom McDonald is back playing and Ben Brown’s back playing VFL.

“We’re starting to get some personnel back in that part of the game. We’re going to lean into those guys coming back as well.”

Bailey Fritsch was the shining light in the forward line for the Demons with four goals, while Jack Viney starred at half-forward with a game-high 31 disposals and two majors.

Goodwin was also pleased with the return of star midfielder Clayton Oliver after a torrid off-season, thrown in to the heat after no practice games with the AFL side. s

Oliver started strong with seven disposals in the first term before a busy finish to the second term.

He went on to finish with 29 possessions and six clearances to give every indication he is back.

“It was a typical Clayton game. He was pretty tough around the clinches and the contest,” Goodwin said.

Clayton Oliver was one of the Demons’ best. Picture: Matt King/AFL Photos/Getty Images

“He’s got some work to do, he fumbled the ball a bit at times, but he’ll just evolve and get better over the next few weeks.

“It’s great to see him happy, healthy and back in the program. We’ll get him back to his best pretty quick.

“There were no guarantees throughout the summer (that he would play). He did everything right over the last six to eight weeks to put himself in this position.

“We’re happy that he’s in a great space and he’s contributing well to our footy club. He’s done everything we could ask of him to get back to this position.”