Grundy set for AFL battle with outdated Magpies mates

Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy looms as a central determine in opposition to Collingwood, the membership that compelled him out, in a King’s Birthday showdown that presents as a attainable AFL grand remaining preview.

Punted by the Pies final 12 months to ease wage cap strain, Grundy has overcome his damage woes and landed on his toes with the Demons.

His fearsome ruck mixture with Max Gawn – as soon as a fairytale mixture in All-Australian choices – has been integral within the Dees’ success up to now, the pair taking part in selfless roles for the betterment of their aspect.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin could not be happier together with his acquisition, who could make an announcement when he and Gawn tackle Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox in a pivotal ruck battle on the MCG on Monday.

“He put in an influence of labor by way of the summer time and he is now at a membership that actually values what he brings to his crew and we’re actually going to embrace that,” Goodwin stated of Grundy.

“He is clearly taking part in in opposition to his outdated crew. He is acquired some mates, he is fairly near Mason (Cox) I believe.

“It will be a reasonably good battle in there. Everytime you play your outdated membership, there’s a bit of little bit of some extent to show.”

Melbourne (8-4) can maintain the warmth on ladder-leading Collingwood (11-1) and Port Adelaide (11-2) with a win on Monday.

They’re properly conscious of the threats posed by the Magpies, even with out suspended star Jordan De Goey and a string of injured gamers, headlined by Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe.

“They’re the most well liked crew on the town, there is not any doubt about that,” Goodwin stated of a aspect that has gained eight straight matches.

“However with that, it offers alternative, and there are issues inside their recreation that we really feel we will get after.

“We’re not going to state them publicly however there’s issues that we predict we will get after.

“They’re taking part in a excessive stage of footy in all phases of the sport. Should you give them the area offensively and the pace that they’ve, they trigger hassle.

“We’ll wanting to remove as lots of these issues and put a few of our strengths in opposition to them.”

Melbourne are additionally with out key gamers, together with Brownlow Medal fancy Clayton Oliver, who’s sidelined with an contaminated blister after lacking two matches with a hamstring damage.

Christian Petracca and Jack Viney might want to step up once more to cowl Oliver’s absence, whereas Tom Sparrow and Angus Brayshaw are additionally set for extra midfield time.

“Clayton leaves a fairly large gap in that space of the bottom,” Goodwin stated.

“This offers us a chance to develop and never on a regular basis do you’ve gotten your finest gamers accessible.

“The crew we’re taking part in on the weekend would not have a few of theirs, so we’re no totally different than anybody.”

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