Jacob van Rooyen banned for one match after bump on Dan McStay

The Dees’ issues up forward arguably cost them against the Pies, and now Simon Goodwin will have to search for another answer in the forward line. Could it be Brodie Grundy?

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 07: Daniel McStay of the Magpies is taken high by Jacob van Rooyen of the Demons during the 2023 AFL First Qualifying Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Melbourne Demons at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 07, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Melbourne’s forward line issues have been dealt a Match Review Panel blow with young gun Jacob van Rooyen copping a one match suspension.

Van Rooyen was cited after an incident in the second quarter of Thursday night’s qualifying final where his attempted bump saw him elbow Collingwood’s Dan McStay to the jaw.

There was no great surprise with the MRO classification of the incident as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

The search for van Rooyen’s replacement started on Friday morning at Ikon Park.

But unfortunately for the Demons hierarchy the VFL scratch match didn’t come up with an obvious solution.

Once again all eyes were on Brodie Grundy but he didn’t exactly show any new-found forward craft given he played most of the hitout against Carlton in the ruck.

In tough conditions Grundy did a few good things around the ground before starting deep forward later in the game but his work didn’t scream pick me at full-forward in a do-or-die AFL semi-final next week.

Jacob van Rooyen will miss the Demons’ semi-final. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Jacob van Rooyen reacts after the incident. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Grundy has kicked just 10 goals from his 17 games this season as a Demon which is the third highest season total of his 194-game career.

The former Collingwood ruckman also got a couple heavy knocks late in the practice match which saw him stay down for 30 seconds each time.

Former Lion and Bulldog Josh Schache didn’t enhance his chances, not seeing much of it at centre half-forward while the other key forward on Melbourne’s list, Ben Brown, was missing as he continues to battle knee soreness.

The only bright spark came from 194cm rookie Daniel Turner who went forward in the second half and at least provided a viable option.

Could the Dees bring back Brodie Grundy? Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

He has played three games in two years – the last being in Round 24 so could he be the van Rooyen wildcard?

The search for Angus Brayshaw’s replacement also had a few contenders going around although James Harmes is off the list after suffering a fresh hamstring injury in the practice match.

Charlie Spargo, who hasn’t played since Round 18, certainly put his name back up in lights with a standout performance.

Carlton also had a number of senior players involved including Ed Curnow, Matthew Kennedy and Lewis Young.

Originally published as Jacob van Rooyen banned for one match after bump on Dan McStay