Mitch McGovern and Jack Martin line up for Carlton Blues, Melbourne Dems miss out on Jack Viney, Bailey Fritsch and Christian Salem
“He [McGovern]got some work done, especially in the last month, has a few games under his belt and is ready to go, as is Jack Martin,” said Voss.
The Blues insist there will be no early return for Sam Walsh, whose comeback will be re-evaluated in round four as he recovers from back surgery.
Voss was wary of whether Tom de Koning or Marc Pittonet would take on the ruck duties. Pittonet was the preferred option at the end of last season but hasn’t had a full pre-season yet, while de Koning is on the rise and is out of contract at the end of the season, complicating the situation even more.
With Ivan Soldo unavailable, the Tigers are expected to line up with skipper Toby Nankervis as their only frontline Ruckman, increasing the likelihood of the Blues picking just one from de Koning or Pittonet. Jack Silvagni, who can play as a second ruck, is a confirmed starter in his 100th game.
The sub’s return allows two specialist rucks to be named, but clubs risk staying with both big men in the 22 if there is an injury.
“There’s a lot of things to consider when you go in: the opponents you’re playing against, how those particular guys are playing too,” said Voss.
“There’s not just the simplicity that you play two rucks. There is a lot of thought that needs to be put into how you want to play, how you want to compete against an opponent, and what form they are in individually.
“What we’re going to be going through is a group that’s fit and healthy and ready to go. That’s our priority going into the first round.”
Dees starts without a Premiership trio
Injured Premiership trio Jack Viney, Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem will miss Melbourne’s AFL season opener against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
Fritsch has been battling a foot problem in training for a month, while Viney injured his knee last week.
Christian Salem (left) and Bayley Fritsch (centre) are two big omissions for Melbourne’s season opener against the Western Bulldogs.Credit:Michael Wilson, AFL photos
Defense attorney Salem, 27, has been on a modified program since early February because of renewed thyroid disease.
Coach Simon Goodwin said Thursday he would not risk the Stars for Saturday night’s first-round clash.
“Viney is close and has a big chance to play next week and Fritter (Fritsch) is also very close and may start as well,” Goodwin said.
“These three guys are just a little short in terms of their preparation but we think with a few more weeks of stress in their bodies they’ll be right for the whole season.”
The match is shaping up to be an intriguing battle, with Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge considering using four big forwards – Aaron Naughton, Rory Lobb, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy.
Goodwin called the move “interesting”.
“It’s unique to the game and I think everyone in the competition looks at it and is like, ‘Will this work?'” he said.
“There’s no doubt that playing so many talls in your attack line is risky and we think we have some ground players who can take advantage of that.
“We’re looking forward to fighting it and we feel like we have seven or eight players in defense who will be able to fight it.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says his star ruck combo of Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn will split mid-floor duties 50-50 most often.Credit:AFL photos
“We feel well prepared and have some eventualities, but we also have some strengths that we want to bring to the way we play.
“It’s going to be a great fight and I think it’s exciting for the game.”
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Looking for a big finish after bowing out of last year’s finals series in straight sets after finishing the regular season in second place, the Demons added ex-Collingwood star Ruckman Brodie Grundy to their mix.
Goodwin said he will take a “horses for courses” approach to fielding Grundy and Skipper – fellow All-Australian – Max Gawn, although he expects a 50-50 split.
“It changes from week to week,” said the coach. “They are different ruck men and have different skills.
“It will depend on what the game needs at any given moment… and it will evolve over time.
“We’re going to try some things but so far we like what we’re seeing and they make a great combination. We’re going to go into most games thinking it’s going to be a 50/50 split and assess the day.
AAP
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https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/blues-robbed-but-key-pair-to-face-tigers-demons-to-go-without-premiership-trio-20230315-p5csal.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_sport Mitch McGovern and Jack Martin line up for Carlton Blues, Melbourne Dems miss out on Jack Viney, Bailey Fritsch and Christian Salem
