Melbourne bullish about returns of Clayton Oliver and Brodie Grundy

The first plan for Brodie Grundy at Melbourne didn’t work as hoped, but he’s got a second chance to thrive leading into finals.

Brodie Grundy has been recalled. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says he “has a plan” to work out-of-favour ruckman Brodie Grundy back into the team after his recall but concedes he doesn’t know how it’s going to play out in Saturday’s blockbuster clash with Carlton.

Grundy, lured to the club to form a one-two punch for the Demons in the ruck with five-time All Australian Max Gawn, was sent back to the VFL to work on his forward craft so Melbourne could maximise the input of both men “forward of the ball”.

Gawn has thrived since taking the rucking duties one-out, but a slew of injuries, including a season-ending foot issue for Harrison Petty, forced Goodwin’s hand and Grundy will face the Blues at the MCG on Saturday night.

Goodwin knows a key component of Grundy’s success will be how he goes close to goal as much as his ruck combination with Gawn and hopes the work they have done in recent weeks pays off.

“We love the combination in the ruck and what they provide us from a ruck perspective,” Goodwin said on Friday.

“It‘s about maximising their input when they’re forward of the ball.

Brodie Grundy has been given a second chance. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“We‘ve got a plan heading into the game but that may change in-game. You never know how that’s going to play out.”

Goodwin is also confident the reintegration of superstar midfielder Clayton Oliver will be seamless as he returns from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since round 10.

In that time, the Demons have won seven of 10 games without Oliver, including the last five in a row, with Jack Viney stepping up to play a significant role, while Andrew Brayshaw and James Jordon have played more in the midfield.

Melbourne has also significantly increased its scoring capacity, but Goodwin is adamant the inclusion of Oliver, a two-time club best and fairest and a leading Brownlow Medal contender before his injury, will only help that mix.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard on that part of our game in the last 10 weeks with Clayton being in rehab,” Goodwin said.

“Clayton will fit into that model, no worries at all. He’s a fantastic clearance player, he’s a fantastic stoppage player, and we’ll make sure that midfield group has great synergy.

Clayton Oliver will only add to the Demons’ strike power. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“That‘s a really important part of him coming back into the team now, building that cohesion over the next two or three weeks.

“But I have no fears that Clayton Oliver won‘t fit our midfield group. He’s an elite player and we’re just rapt to have him back.

“He‘s raring to go. He’s going to be really fit and strong and fresh.”

Goodwin said Oliver had been training at close to 100 per cent for most of the past six weeks as his injury lingered and had ticked off every box necessary for his return.

Melbourne can move towards a top-two finish with a win against the Blues who are on a seven-game winning streak that has put a return to the finals for the first time since 2013 in their immediate future.