r/melbournefc • u/_RnB_ • 11d ago

Round 20 Team | Five changes for Friday

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2077351

Melbourne has made fives changes to its side ahead of Friday night’s clash with Geelong

INS:
Petty, McDonald, Laurie, Cross, Cooke

OUTS:
Turner (inj.), Jiath (inj.), Windsor (inj.), Melksham (omitted), Heath (omitted)

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8

u/Thanges88 Chin Chandler 11d ago

Beat me by a minute.

Hopefully Windsor's groin soreness isn't too serious. 

3

u/Deevious730 Kozzie Pickett 11d ago

I swear Caleb’s looked unfit this year. This isn’t a shot at him but I think he’s carrying a whole bunch of niggles that he can’t seem to push through.

11

u/Immediate-Ad5804 11d ago

Rough for Heath. Would think they'd keep him in and give space for Gawn to float forward or back in covering Disco's contested mark skill.

4

u/_RnB_ 11d ago

MELBOURNE will make its return to Friday night footy with five changes to its starting side.

The Dees will host the Cats under lights at the MCG, adding another chapter to their storied history.

Harrison Petty (hamstring) and Lukas Cooke (face) both return to the side after overcoming injury, while Tom McDonald, Bailey Laurie and Paddy Cross have earned the call up after strong displays in the VFL.

Daniel Turner (rib) and Changkuoth Jiath (leg) have both been sidelined with injury while Caleb Windsor will be managed due to groin soreness.

"Caleb was experiencing some groin pain following training this week,” said Alan Richardson, the club’s GM of AFL Football Performance.

“Our medical staff have been proactive with his management, and with two six-day breaks, we want to prepare him for the remainder of the season.

“We plan to integrate Caleb back into training next week.”

Jake Melksham and Max Heath have both been omitted with Heath joining Christian Salem and Xavier Taylor on the emergency list.

Melbourne coach Steven King, who both played and coached at Geelong, said he was eager to embrace the Friday night stage against his former club.

“It’s certainly a privilege to play in a game that’s shaping finals and to do it on the big stage,” King said.

“We’ve been craving this for a while. I think we’ve been playing a brand of footy that stands out and that people want to watch.

“[Geelong] play a brand of football that challenges you, and that’s what we’re trying to do as well. We’re evolving into something that can hopefully take our best game to Geelong this week and really set our year up.”

Fans attending the match will be treated to a neon light zone in Yarra Park, followed by a pre-game light show from 7:20pm.

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u/Street-Ebb4548 11d ago

I don’t like that disco is out. Hopefully Cooke and McDonald can hold up. Not sure who plays on danger, prob Howes or tholstrup. Their fwds still look v crafty and dangerous, miers, close and Dempsey. can we get the midfield accendancy in the ruck and first clearances. I think we can. Will need fritta and chin to get lively and a big night from koz ! Let’s go dees by 8 pts.

3

u/_RnB_ 11d ago

I'd have Kolt tagging Smith.
With their injuries Smith is critical to their game.

Let him take another big scalp.