Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has fired back at “hysteria” surrounding the axing of ruckman Brodie Grundy, insisting the Demons aren’t trying to make him a full time forward.
It comes after Grundy was dropped before the Dees one point victory over Brisbane on Friday night, with the club sending him down to the VFL to hone his forward craft.
“We’re trying to increase the combination forward of the ball. We’re not trying to turn Brodie Grundy into a forward – let’s be really clear on that,” Goodwin said on Thursday.
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“On the back of that hysteria; I’ve heard him playing as a permanent forward, I’ve heard we’re trying to trade him. That’s not the case.”
Dees premiership captain Max Gawn rucked alone during Friday night’s win, producing a best-on-ground performance with 29 disposals and 10 clearances, with Goodwin adamant that Grundy is still in favour to return to Gawn’s side in the ruck.
“We’re trying to turn this ruck combination into a dominant force that will help us in the ruck, but also help us ahead of the ball,” Goodwin said.
“We love Brodie Grundy, we think this is going to be a dominant force and we’re going to keep working to do it.”
But just how long Grundy is out of the senior side remains undecided, with Goodwin outlining what they expect him to learn while in the VFL.
“We see Brodie and Max playing 10 minutes a quarter forward of the ball,” Goodwin said.
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“But how we get that extra exposure is at VFL level, so he’ll play as a permanent forward again this week [in the VFL].
“We know what he can do in the ruck. We’re trying to increase his ability to impact forward of the ball.”
The Demons host a 12th-placed Adelaide on Sunday at the MCG.
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