Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said he isn’t planning on bringing in an extra ruckman as backup for superstar skipper Max Gawn until the back half of the season, despite conceding the six-time all-Australian plays with regular issues from the “most combative position” in the game.
Goodwin had ruled Gawn out of last week’s clash with St Kilda due to a calf issue before the skipper declared himself ready to play and he subsequently destroyed St Kilda earning a perfect 10 in the AFL Coaches Association votes after a masterful display.
This Sunday, he’ll take on the Fremantle tag-team of former protege Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy when the Demons face the Dockers in Alice Springs, but Goodwin isn’t likely to add any ruck specific help for Gawn.
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Forward Jacob van Rooyen and Harrison Petty, who was subbed out of the win over the Saints with a foot issue but is set to make the trip to the Northern Territory, will give Gawn help as needed.
“We’d never take a risk with Max, he carries corks most weeks, as do a lot of rucks, it’s one of the most combative spots,” Goodwin said on Thursday.
“We certainly monitor Max. We know how important he is to our team. We have got some options to bring into the team in that space. But at this stage he’s fully fit and ready to go and playing some amazing footy. It’s more something we’ll look at the back end of the year.
“Max is someone that does a lot of work on his opposition, he knows the quality he’s coming up against. He obviously knows Luke really well.
“He’ll be up for the challenge. The more responsibility you give to Max, he generally rises to the occasion.”
Meanwhile, Essendon are set to bring forward Harrison Jones straight back in to their side against the Suns after serving a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
That likely means gun draftee Nate Caddy is the unlucky omission, but Scott was full of praise for the Northern Knights product at Thursday morning’s press conference.
“I thought Caddy was impressive on debut… he looked like an AFL player, he’s probably looked a step above VFL for the last few weeks,” Scott said.
“If the match committee can continue to have problems with trying to squeeze players in, that’s a good problem.”
Nik Cox will be available for selection despite exiting last week’s match with hamstring tightness.
Will Setterfield will return via the VFL if he gets through training, will the Bombers are set to take a cautious approach with Zach Reid.
Port Adelaide will be without captain Connor Rozee plus exciting forward Willie Rioli for Thursday night’s blockbuster clash with Carlton.
The Power made three changes for the Round 12 opener with Rozee (ankle) and Rioli (calf) both missing on selection for the Adelaide Oval contest, along with ruckman Jordon Sweet who has been omitted.
Ivan Soldo comes into the side replacing Sweet with spearhead forward Charlie Dixon plus small forward Francis Evans also named.
The Blues are unchanged from their Round 11 win over Gold Coast, again going with the one-ruck setup led by Tom De Koning which has given them such success.
The rest of the Round 12 teams will be announced on Thursday at 6:20pm.
ROUND 12 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
PORT ADELAIDE v CARLTON
Thursday May 30, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
B: K.Farrell, E.Ratugolea, B.Zerk-Thatcher
HB: M.Bergman, A.Aliir, D.Houston
C: T.Boak, O.Wines, W.Drew
HF: D.Byrne-Jones, T.Marshall, M.Georgiades
F: Z.Butters – C, C.Dixon, La.Jones
FOLL: I.Soldo, J.Horne-Francis, J.McEntee
I/C: J.Mead, J.Finlayson, F.Evans, R.Burton, J.Burgoyne
EMG: J.Sweet, T.Clurey, T.Anastasopoulos
IN: C.Dixon, I.Soldo, F.Evans
OUT: W.Rioli (Injured), J.Sweet (Omitted), C.Rozee (Injured)
BLUES
B: A.Saad, J.Weitering, Z.Williams
HB: B.Kemp, M.McGovern, N.Newman
C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, E.Hollands
HF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, M.Owies
F: G.Hewett, C.Curnow, M.Kennedy
FOLL: T.De Koning, S.Walsh, A.Cincotta
I/C: L.Cowan, J.Carroll, B.Acres, J.Boyd, O.Fantasia
EMG: C.Durdin, C.Marchbank, Le.Young
No changes
COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Friday May 31, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium
MAGPIES
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
BULLDOGS
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
HAWTHORN v ADELAIDE CROWS
Saturday June 1, 1:45pm at the MCG
HAWKS
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
CROWS
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
WEST COAST EAGLES v ST KILDA
Saturday June 1, 4:35pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
SAINTS
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
GEELONG v RICHMOND
Saturday June 1, 7:30pm at GMHBA Stadium
CATS
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
TIGERS
Team TBA Thursday 6:20pm
MELBOURNE v FREMANTLE
Sunday June 2, 1pm at TIO Traeger Park
DEMONS
Squad TBA Thursday 6:20pm
DOCKERS
Squad TBA Thursday 6:20pm
GOLD COAST SUNS v ESSENDON
Sunday June 2, 1pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
Squad TBA Thursday 6:20pm
BOMBERS
Squad TBA Thursday 6:20pm
Source Agencies
