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Teammates declare injured Petracca ‘ready to go’ against Lions
Jon Pierik
Premiership teammates have declared Christian Petracca “ready to go”, as the Demons star prepares to carry a hairline leg fracture into Friday night’s cut-throat final against Brisbane.
Petracca arrived at Melbourne’s headquarters at 6am on Monday for treatment, having been left in pain by an accidental kick to the fibula by Lance Franklin in a qualifying-final loss to Sydney on Friday.
While medical officials say another hit to the leg could result in a break, the Demons insist “the fracture poses no further risk” and Petracca remains in the frame to play.
Tom McDonald is pushing his case for a senior recall ahead of Friday night’s cut-throat final against Brisbane.Credit:Getty Images
Key defender Jake Lever said on Monday Petracca would face the Lions.
“He was moving pretty well for a guy who’s got a broken leg, but he’s pretty tough, so he’ll play,” Lever said.
“Probably not too much [training for him this week]. I think he’ll have a bit of a lighter week. He’ll have to tick off a fair few things, I think – he’s done nearly every session all year. At this time of year, maybe a little freshen up might be good for him.
“He’s pretty committed. I saw him … and he’s looking alright. I’m looking forward to playing with him.”
Petracca had 24 disposals against the Swans but went at only 29 per cent by foot. He has spent considerable time in the pool since Friday, nursing the injury.
Teammate Angus Brayshaw reiterated that the Norm Smith medallist would be right to play.
“If I know Christian the way I think I do, there won’t be any amount of fracture that could keep him off the ground for this game. He is ready to go,” Brayshaw said.
Brisbane Lions star Cam Rayner has served a one-week suspension and is expected to return to face the Demons.Credit:AFL Photos
The Demons, having finished second on the ladder, suddenly find themselves facing elimination. While they have twice dismantled the Lions this season, including by 58 points in round 23, they are 6-7 in their past 13 games and are not the juggernaut many had expected them to become.
Aside from Petracca, Melbourne are monitoring Charlie Spargo, who has a larynx injury, while Jake Melksham and Bayley Fritsch have knee issues but are expected to play.
Tom McDonald continued to press for a senior recall at training on Monday. The tall forward has returned through the VFL from a foot injury and would help the inside-50 structure, ensuring the Demons of another marking target.
However, the concern with McDonald is that he has not played at the senior level since round 10.
Forwards Ben Brown, Kysaiah Pickett and Melksham were held to 30 per cent below their home-and-away Champion Data average rankings on Friday night, while ruck-forward Luke Jackson was a non-factor.
The Demons may also need to tinker with their game plan, Angus Brayshaw admitting on Monday they were a “little bit bomby” with their kicks inside attacking 50.
“It’s not like we were horrendous, there was enough there for us to go back and sharpen up and that’s why you get a second chance … to have another crack,” Brayshaw said.
AFL great Matthew Lloyd accused the Demons of playing “safe” with their long kicks, often to the pocket, declaring “their system is broken”.
There is also likely to be plenty of feeling between the sides, particularly in the wake of Dayne Zorko’s on-field comment he made to Harrison Petty in round 23, which left the Demon in tears. Zorko later apologised, having admitted he “overstepped the mark”, but claimed it was not an “unprovoked sledge”. The comment was allegedly about a family member of Petty’s.
“It’s something that I felt we dealt with really well in the game at three quarter-time. We played strong, hard but not reckless, we didn’t overstep the line physically. Blokes weren’t trying to line him up,” Brayshaw said.
The Demons will need to decide whether to shadow brilliant ball winner Lachie Neale, who put in one of the great finals performances with 39 disposals against Richmond on Thursday night. This included the second-most clearances (15) ever recorded in a final. Either Brayshaw or James Harmes are expected to get the job on Neale, if the Demons opt to tag.
The Brownlow Medal favourite, not blessed with pure pace, has improved his ability to dodge and weave. His endurance has also been on show, for he did not go to the bench in the second half on Thursday.
The Lions will be without frontline ruckman Oscar McInerney (concussion), with Darcy Fort in line to return. Daniel McStay and Joe Daniher filled in admirably on Thursday night but are best suited to their typical roles up forward. Suspended pair Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth are available for selection, with Rayner a potential match winner up forward when given space to roam.
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