Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has conceded his plans for Brodie Grundy at the Demons “hasn’t quite been the success we were hoping for” but remains adamant the out-of-favour big man has a future at the Demons.
Goodwin’s concession comes as he confirmed star Melbourne forward Bayley Fritsch was “ready to go” for his team’s final round clash with Sydney in a massive boost to Melbourne’s premiership ambitions.
Injury and form issues have prevented the Demons from settling on a preferred blend of forward targets all year, and the seven week-absence of Fritsch, Melbourne’s leading goalkicker in 2022, has been a challenge to overcome.
But Goodwin says the array of options they have regained will be important in their premiership tilt.
Goodwin, who extended his contract at Melbourne until the end of 2026 on Wednesday, said Tom McDonald was moving as well as he had all season as he kicked three goals in the VFL last weekend, while he was adamant the Demons still have plans for Grundy after he played a second consecutive game for Casey.
The coach conceded his vision for Grundy and captain Max Gawn to ruck in tandem had not come to fruition.
But as rumours swirled that Grundy, who has played 17 games this season, didn’t want to play second fiddle to Gawn and clubs including Geelong, Sydney and Port Adelaide were looking to lure him away from Melbourne, Goodwin shut down any talk of looking to trade the former Magpie at the end of the season.
“That’s just not the space I’m in right now … these things will be discussed at the end of the year,” Goodwin said.
“Brodie from my end is a Melbourne player. We need him up and running, we need him going well, and that’s my total focus at the moment.
“He’s got four years to go as a Melbourne player, and we certainly love having him at our footy club.”
Goodwin said responsibility lay with Gawn as well as Grundy for the combination not working.
“In terms of the way they’re functioning in the team together from a forward half perspective, I think it’s pretty clear that we acknowledge it hasn’t quite been the success we were hoping for,” he said.
“That certainly hasn’t been all on Brodie, we were hoping for Max to play big time up forward as well, and between the two of them we haven’t quite had the impact we would’ve liked throughout the year.”
Goodwin said Fritsch could be effective in the same attack as fellow hybrid forward Jake Melksham, with the veteran flourishing in the absence of the left-footer.
Fritsch has not played since he limped off in the first quarter of the Demons’ round 16 loss to GWS with a broken foot.
The 186cm Melksham has booted 13 goals in the seven games since, with Christian Petracca (14) the only teammate ahead of him over that period.
“They can definitely play together, they’ve done it before. We’re quite excited by the combination,” Goodwin said.
“Jake is a very unique player, he plays both tall and small … they both play in a similar way but they have great impact in the game.
“They’re both incredibly smart in terms of their patterns, they’re leading, good air and ground, and they’re going to be a challenge for every team defence.”
Melbourne have locked in a top four finish but can secure a top two spot and an opening home final with a win over Sydney at the SCG on Sunday, should Brisbane and Port Adelaide both lose.
