Against a Swans’ defence boasting the McCartin brothers – Tom and Paddy – and Dane Rampe,Melbourne’s motley crew of forwards conjured 12 marks inside 50,including two each for van Rooyen and medium-sized spearhead Bayley Fritsch.
No Demon has kicked more goals since the start of their 2021 premiership season than Fritsch’s 120,with small forward Kysaiah Pickett (85),Brown (64),McDonald and Christian Petracca (49 each) coming in next.
Melbourne have targeted Brown inside 50 more than any other player through three rounds – accounting for almost a quarter of all targets – but 188-centimetre Fritsch remains the most efficient option.
The 26-year-old has comfortably the best percentages in retaining possession,team goal and team score (all 71.4) when he is targeted.
The Demons’ forward line will be different again against West Coast on Sunday,with Pickett back from suspension and McDonald replacing fellow 30-year-old Brown,who is dealing with lower-back soreness.
It is an opportunity for McDonald to change the direction of his season,after kicking just one goal and recording one score assist in the first two rounds,as well as no contested marks and only two grabs inside 50.
“Benny Brown and Tommy McDonald are coming towards the end of their careers. I’m not retiring them at all,but they’ve been around,and up and down,the garden path a few times and had their crack.”
Russell Robertson
McDonald and Brown,who are contracted until the end of 2024,were pivotal contributors to Melbourne’s premiership triumph two years ago,but both also endured slumps at different stages in recent seasons.
For Robertson,van Rooyen is “100 per cent” the first key forward picked now,with the two veterans battling it out for the other spot,at least when ruck stars Gawn and Brodie Grundy are both in the senior side.
“We do need to look to the future,” Robertson said.
“Benny Brown and Tommy McDonald are coming towards the end of their careers. I’m not retiring them at all,but they’ve been around,and up and down,the garden path a few times and had their crack.
“They’d love to sit in a forward line next to van Rooyen. If he’s not playing well and not getting a kick,then it’s the Sam Weideman situation because he was ‘almost there’ a lot,but has gone[to Essendon] for opportunities elsewhere – and good on him. For van Rooyen;it’s his job to lose now.”
Robertson,who is still a fixture in the Demons’ game-day experience,still expects Petty to predominantly be a defender,but sees great value in his swingman abilities.
He is also bullish about Melbourne’s chances of winning a second flag in three seasons,naming Steven May as the game’s best defender – alongside Collingwood captain Darcy Moore – and tipping Clayton Oliver to win the Brownlow Medal.
“I hope the disappointment of last year,after that premiership hangover,has struck home,” Robertson said. “It’s a long season,and Collingwood look really good,but Melbourne are in the conversation. They had a hiccup against Brisbane[in round two],but the talent is in that team – and we all know that.
“It’s just a matter of riding the bumps. I feel like last year’s straight-sets finals exit is stinging a bit in our team,and when they flex their muscles,they are an insatiable football team.”
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