FOLLOWING a successful trip out to Perth to play the West Coast Eagles, the Dees turn their attention to Gather Round.
The Round 5 clash against the Bombers will see an AFL first, having the city of Adelaide host all nine AFL games.
Simon Goodwin took to his weekly press-conference to discuss the upcoming game, injury updates and selection headaches.
Goodwin on Ben Brown’s injury
“We're confident that he [Ben Brown] will be right to go. We had a pretty strong session over the weekend, but he's got to get through training today,” Goodwin said.
“We're confident that he’ll get through and be available for selection, we were fairly cautious with him last week. He probably could have got up by the end of the week, but we didn't want to take that risk and put him on the plane to Perth.
“So, we gave him a really good training session back here in Melbourne and we're pretty confident that if we get through training time, he will be available to play on Sunday.”
Michael Hibberd unavailable this week
“Yeah, Hibbo [Michael Hibberd] won’t get up. You know, he's had a sore Achilles for a couple of weeks and we're just going to make sure we get that right.
“We don't need to be taking a risk with a player of his age at this stage of the season. So we've got to make sure we get that one right.”
Jake Lever a test
“We’ll assess Jake [Lever] later in the week. We’ll make sure that he's right to go, but we'll certainly make an assessment today,” Goodwin added.
“He won't do much today, he'll probably train later in the week and make that call then.”
James Harmes returns to the club
“He's [James Harmes] back at the club this week. It's fantastic, he’s got a smile on his face and he's ready to go. He's eager to get back into footy and he’ll play VFL footy this weekend.
“It’s great for our footy club to get him back involved and getting back playing and we need a really healthy James Harmes pushing for selection and getting back in our side. He’s a quality player and he can play some really strong footy for us.”
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Selection headaches return
“You know, clearly we've got a group of talls that are in good form, so we'll have to make some decisions, but we need to get a really good handle on our group today,” Goodwin added.
“It's obviously a short turnaround from Perth, so we aren’t rushing any decisions today. We’ll just get a good handle on them and make some decisions probably tomorrow.
“Yeah, it is like it's really healthy, you saw what Tom McDonald did last week and to go back to VFL footy and then come back into an AFL side and play some really strong footy for us and all those forwards are doing a fantastic job.
“Ben Brown was in really good form before we went out of the team and Harrison Petty's done well, so we'll have to have a good look at what that looks like and the best mix for us and make some decisions.”
Goodwin on Jacob van Rooyen
“He's been exciting. He's delivered everything we thought he would deliver. He provides an enormous contest for us, and his work rate has been first class,” Goodwin said.
“It’s been really positive in the way he's gone about his footy and we're excited about it. He's a player that's really embraced our footy club and one we think has a really big future.
“We wanted to make sure his game was right for AFL footy and that's one of the great challenges of young players that come into your system. We've been really fortunate at VFL level with the Casey Scorpions that we've had a really strong VFL side.
“We've been able to develop our players and you know, you see them come in, whether it be Jacob Van Rooyen, Kade Chandler, Judd McVee, these types of guys are coming in and having impact at AFL level.”
All eyes on the Bombers
“They're competitive and strong, all their games have been in. They've been able to find a way to impact the scoreboard or find a way back into the game,” Goodwin added.
“The Bombers are in some really good form, they're competing really strongly.
“They've got some quality players in the middle of the ground and they've been a really resilient footy club under Brad Scott, so we know the challenges they are going to be in front of us.”
Goodwin on South Australia and Gather Round
“It's exciting, not too often you play a curtain raiser, but that's us this week, so we're looking forward to playing,” Goodwin said.
“I think it's just an exciting concept, it's something the AFL have wanted to have a go at and get all the teams in one state and I think it's exciting for the state of South Australia.
“I’m a South Australian boy growing up and I know how much passion they have for the game of footy and how much will bring life to the city of Adelaide and I'm sure they'll put on a great spectacle.
“There's going to be plenty to do for the people that go over there. I think seeing some of the wineries along the McLaren Vale and in the Barossa, I think they'll be a real highlight for people.”
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Dealing with Jake Stringer
“He [Jake Stringer] is a pretty handy player, there's no doubt about that. He's very dynamic, so we've got some plans in place for Jake and we've got to make sure that he's one player that we do look after and make sure he's taken out of the game.” Goodwin said.
“He's too good a player just to have 8 to 10 scoring shots in a game of footy, he's going to hit the scoreboard and he's going to provide energy. So, we're going to make sure we take that away from him.”
