Gawn forward as Demons move on Tigers

Melbourne’s first hit out of the season revealed their surprise goal kicking forward could be All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn.

Gawn dominated the game from the ruck but also rotating forward, alternating with Luke Jackson, to boot two goals. He missed another two shots he should have converted.

Gawn has often slotted in behind the ball as a classic ruck kick behind the play role to help the defence but on Friday at Casey Fields looked impressive pressing forward as a genuine target.

Max Gawn goes horizontal.Credit:Getty Images

Melbourne stars Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca were particularly impressive. Veteran Nathan Jones played a high half forward role and occasionally on the wing and did well. Bailey Fritsch booted three.

Bachar doubt opens up options

Bachar Houli is unlikely to be fit for round one as he struggles with a calf injury. The Tigers moved youngster Hugo Ralph Smith into a running defender role in the pre-season and gave him the nod in the main game ahead of Marlion Pickett who played that role in the second of the practice matches on the day.

Ralph Smith was impressive in the full hit out with clever clean hands and good ball use, he has good run and looked comfortable in the role.

“Hugo is putting his hand up in the pre-season to fill that spot. he was really serviceable today and we will see how he is next week against Collingwood,” assistant coach Adam Kingsley said.

Josh Caddy has also played across half back in the pre-season but was used on a wing again in the practice game and did well.

Young Tigers

Jake Aarts did well forward for the Tigers and Jack Ross managed more midfield time. Ross looked good doing some clever things. He hit perhaps the kick of the day in the third quarter when on the run and under pressure he saw Jack Riewoldt in the opposite pocket and squared a low flat kick across his body to find the full forward.

Shae Bolton at half forward was good for the Tigers. Dion Prestia did not play as he recovers from injury.

Thompson Dow came on in the last quarter of the main game as a bunch of Tigers including Dusty Martin and Shane Edwards came off after playing their predetermined minutes.

Hunting for an old new role

Jayden Hunt started his career as a dashing runner out of defence before moving to a half forward line in recent seasons. His defensive focus and loose kicking saw him pushed to attack and out of harm’s way for use of the ball out of defence. This year the Demons look to be eyeing a return for him to the backline where his speed and daring off half back, especially with Ed Langdon on a wing, on Friday gave the Demons enormous drive out of the backline.

“He will be a very valuable player for us down there. Where Hunty was two or three years ago his defensive stuff wasn’t as good as his offensive stuff but now it is really on par. The way he is able to defend at the minute is top class,” Lever said.

Jayden Hunt.Credit:Getty Images

James Jordan looked good up forward for the Demons, Charlie Spargo booted a couple and Kyle Chandler booted three goals making a strong case to be in the team for round one.

“It is no surprise to us, we have seen Jimmy Jordan do it for nine weeks now and even last year he was very stiff so we were happy with him today,” Lever said.

Stand By

No 50m penalties were paid for the new man on the mark rule.

Whether it was the new rule or the familiarity with the wide size of the ground Melbourne looked the quicker of the sides with their ball use and run through the corridor of the ground.

“Melbourne were able to hit the corridor a bit more than we would have liked, maybe that was the new rule, maybe we were a bit sloppy in defence,” Richmond assistant coach Adam Kingsley said.

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