Demon says it’s time to change

MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin admits the Demons will consider altering the way they play to help cover the loss of star defender Jake Lever.

Lever, 22, tore his anterior cruciate ligament only seven months after the club parted with two first-round draft picks to land the star intercepting defender from Adelaide.

Spring-heeled backman Joel Smith is likely to replace Lever for Monday’s Queen’s Birthday blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG, while first-year 197cm defender Harrison Petty (pick No. 37) is also in the extended squad. In-form VFL tall Cam Pedersen is also in line to play his first match since Round 2 in place of omitted utility Tim Smith.

Goodwin said the club would also consider changes to its game style in the wake of Lever’s departure.

“Jake Lever is a really important part of our footy club,” Goodwin said. “You can’t go and find the next Jake Lever, you have got to find someone who will fulfil the role within the team.

“So we may have to change and explore the way we play.”

Goodwin refused to douse the hype surrounding Mon- day’s clash against Collingwood, with the red-hot Demons looking to nail their seventh straight win.

Collingwood has also moved further inside the eight after booting 21 goals for the first time in two years in Sunday’s rout against Fremantle

Goodwin said the club would trial several options in defence over the next month as the club surges towards a drought-breaking finals appearance.

Sam Frost remains on the outer because of form.

“We have got to decide whether we go a bit taller or we go smaller and really complement the guys we have got down there,” Goodwin said.

“We are going to test and learn about our group over the next four or five weeks and really look to find something within our group that works.”