‘Really dominant’: Josh Schache an irresistible selection, says Simon Goodwin

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says the outstanding form of a new recruit has caused an overhaul of the Demons’ pecking order.

Simon Goodwin says Josh Schache has done everything possible to earn a club debut against North Melbourne on Saturday night. Picture: Michael Klein

Former Bulldog Josh Schache’s outstanding start to his Melbourne career at VFL level has thrown him into the mix as a long-term forward option for the Demons.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says the former No.2 pick has mounted a strong case for selection over the last month for Casey, while captain Max Gawn has pulled up “fantastic” over the short break and will definitely play against the Kangaroos.

Goodwin said last week he liked the look of playing Gawn and Brodie Grundy with two key forwards, with Schache’s selection in place of the concussed Harrison Petty meaning Ben Brown and Tom McDonald have slid back a spot in the pecking order.

“It’s exciting to bring in a guy that’s going to debut for the club. He’s earned his spot, he’s come into our environment and he’s worked really hard on some of the things in his game that he needed to and wanted to with fresh eyes,” Goodwin said.

Former No.2 draft pick Josh Schache has booted 78 goals in 72 games for Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

“He’s been able to play some really dominant VFL footy over a number of weeks now. He’s been pushing probably the last month and now he gets his chance.

“Obviously, Harrison Petty’s out with a concussion and it’s opened up an opportunity and he’s ready … we’re looking forward to seeing him.”

Goodwin said Brown and McDonald, who had frustrating games with 0.4 and 1.3 respectively in Casey’s loss to the Tigers on Sunday, needed to produce better form to challenge the current combination of talls for a spot.

“Browny had three weeks out with a back injury … he played VFL last week and his form probably wasn’t to the level that we’d like and know that Ben’s capable of,” he said.

Ben Brown was not his usual accurate self in the VFL on Sunday as Casey lost to Richmond by 12 points. Picture: Michael Klein

“We’re trying to find the new version of us, the better version of us about how we transform our team into a really successful team, and we’re really open minded about what that looks like.

“So Ben and Tom will have to get into some really good form to push their case and get back in the team, and as it is for all the people in the team, they’re just going to have to stay in form.”

Goodwin said he was mindful of also rewarding the good form of players behind the club’s solid 4-2 start to the season, as Luke Dunstan (48 disposals and two goals) and James Harmes (36 disposals and three goals) enjoy a rich vein of form in the VFL.

“I’ve got no hesitation in putting (Dunstan) in the team when the time’s right, and you know, he’s very close to going past a few,” Goodwin said.

(There are) some things that James is still working on in his game … we like to reward the guys that are in form in the AFL team as well as looking at the VFL team and making sure it’s really competitive, and in a lot of spots it’s really competitive, which is great.”