COACH Simon Goodwin says he wants his team to continue to “change the narrative”, including ending a 17-game losing streak against the Kangaroos at the MCG on Saturday.
Speaking at AAMI Park on Friday, Goodwin said the club had entered a new phase – on and off the field – adding that even areas such as selection were no longer what they were.
“I think for a long time at the Melbourne footy club, we’ve been in a position where we’ve had to give away games,” he said.
“We’ve now created some depth – and some depth in performance in terms of what’s required to be in the team. I think that’s been a great thing for our footy club.
“The team for me, generally picks itself, with how you play and how you perform, so we’ll continue to look at that and we’ll continue to pick a team that best suits where we’re at, but also the players that are in form.”
Two players – Sam Frost and Dean Kent – have come back into the team this week, with Jayden Hunt and Cam Pedersen omitted.
Goodwin spoke of Frost’s height being an important addition this week, particularly against tall timber North Melbourne duo, Ben Brown and Jarrad Waite.
He added that small forward Kent had also forced his way back into the 22.
“He’s been terrific, Dean,” Goodwin said.
“We talk about picking players who are in form – he’s in form.
“He’s played some outstanding footy at VFL level for the last four weeks – to an extent where we just have to pick him. That’s what we want at our footy club – guys who are in that form. They just make the decision that you have to pick them.”
Goodwin confirmed young defender Oscar McDonald would get “first crack” on outstanding key forward Ben Brown.
“Oscar’s been in terrific form. He’s done some great jobs on Tom Hawkins and [Eric] Hipwood in the last two weeks, so he’ll get the first crack at it,” he said.
Goodwin said the ruck contest between Max Gawn and North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein was also set to be a beauty.
“They’ve had a terrific contest for the last two or three years. I know Gawny rates Todd incredibly high – he’s back to his best and we think Max is back to his best,” he said.
“You’re going to see a really crucial duel come this weekend.”
Goodwin added that he had “spoken to a few guys” in relation to giving Gawn a chop out in the ruck, given Pedersen was omitted.
“We’ll vary that role and it could be a variety of different people, so we’re looking forward to seeing that in action,” he said.
